MVP Watch Thread

[Zoom]

MVP Watch Thread

Update One

I was inspired by NBA.com's MVP Race articles that are put out every week (Not sure if it's every week but I think it is...)... so I wanted to start my own MVP Watch Thread and just write about some players who I think have been doing a good job and could be considered as the NBA's MVP at the end of the season. I will update this every week but I won't do rankings just yet since it's early days.

So hopefully you all enjoy!

So it's pretty early into the season but there have been a handful of players who have really stepped it up and surprised me. They are:

Yao Ming This guy's only getting it started. With Tracy McGrady not performing at his best (So it seems), Yao is here to lead the team with 26 PPG and 9 RPG also adding 2.3 BPG. But he's only just getting started! Whenever McGrady has played poorly, Yao has always been there to cover him. Without Yao, the Rockets wouldn't be 4-2 and right now are on a 3 game winning streak. Picking up where he left off last NBA season and showing his form from the World Championships; Yao Ming is undoubtedly the best Centre in the NBA. But is he an MVP candidate?

Michael Redd Leading the League in scoring with 32.6 PPG shooting over .500 from the field, .470 from beyond the arc and .920 from the free throw line. Michael Redd is shaping up as one of the most efficient and lethal scorers this season. Although scoring won't get you far into the MVP race and having your team at 2-5 doesn't look all too good either, if the Bucks can start to get on a winning pace and eventually they may well do so, Michael Redd might be talked about a bit more.

Joe Johnson He is in mid-season form with the Hawks at 4-2 and 1st in the East. Remember the Hawks are just a few months removed from when they had just won 26 games. He is the reason why his team is at the top of the East right now with averages of 29 PPG, 6 RPG and 5 APG while shooting .480 from the field and higher than .400 from three point land. If the Hawks keep this pace and Johnson keeps at his, this guy might be for real.

LeBron James Will always be talked about when it comes to MVPs. There's nothing more to say about him except that his team is on top of the Central Divison and he's averaging 28, 8 and 6.5. You will hear more about him in the coming months.

Allen Iverson Same old Allen Iverson who is hungry. Only difference between this season and last season is that they are actually winnign games. This may be in part due to the hot play of Kyle Korver (Who could win an MIP or Sixth Man if he keeps shooting how he's been shooting) but AI's efforts of 30 PPG and 8.5 APG is still stellar; although his 5 turovers a game seems a bit sloppy (I guess it doesn't matter since it should even out in 70+ games time!). With the Sixers on the top of their division, it will be tough to think of any reason for AI to jump ship to a different city.

Carlos Boozer Everyone is now seeing why he was signed by the Jazz. If this guy can stay healthy then he will be looking good to lock up status as an All-Star. The Jazz may have surprised many (including me) but there have been much smarter people who said they would do well. I knew that they would be good if they were a healthy side. But I never expected them to be better than Denver and never expected Boozer to be leading this team in points (22 PPG) and rebounds (12.3) while dishing out a decent 3 dimes and shooting at .550 from the field.

Zach Randolph Just when I said in the Amare Thread that this guy was basically done, he's acutally started off the season really well. As I've said, it's early days but the Blazers are actually doing good and are in the middle of the pack. Who would have known? And this dude is ripping it up. Back to back 35 point efforts last week and averaging 28.5 PPG and 10.5 RPG. He's shooting at a career-high efficiency of .500 from the field and a whopping .921 from the charity stripe. Oh, in case you're wondering, he's averaging 10 attempts at the free throw line per game. I don't think a Hack-a-Zach would work for opposing teams.

Chris Paul Hornets struggling as they've lost their third straight today. Chris Paul is averaging 19 PPG and 10 APG I think it was entering today's game. Quite impressive and it is important to note how young he is. Individually he's doing great but his team also has quite a bit of depth. This includes David West who is putting up great numbers too.

Others Other players that deserve a mention (Doesn't mean they are worse than the others) but I didn't need to write anything about were; Gilbert Arenas, Dwyane Wade, Jermaine O'Neal, Tim Duncan and Chris Paul (Added him above due to CMJ).

If you feel there is anything wrong in here, feel free to criticise as long as it doesn't turn into flaming! Discussion is good!

NOTE: These aren't rankings. Once the season progresses and wins teams start to become seperated, I will start doing rankings.

Link: NBA.com's First Player Rankings

[CMJ3]

I think Chris Paul should be up higher. Hes averaging a double double with points and assists, not many can do that unless your name is Steve Nash who has infact won 2 mvps, so i think Paul should be in the top rankings. He deserves more than just a mention.

[---]

Carmelo Anthony would be up there if he would rack up more rebounds and assists. Another big game scoringwise for my man Melo tonight with 36 points tonight against the Cats.

[Axel]

Leandro Barbosa needs to be up there. He's had a great start to the season, and had 12 assists the other night. Shooting 45% from 3 also. Obviously he won't be an MVP candidate when the season ends, but this year he's been great thus far. Maybe he would be better off for a higher player ranking?

[tuanskoko]

kidd is nearly avg a triple double

but the nod goes to yao atm, unless tim duncan increases his stats and win 65+ games....

[KIG1]

Joe Johnson is having an amazing year. I think that he could win it if the Hawks make the playoffs. They have a lot of young talent and Josh Smith is coming along.

[---]

Agreed. I love the Hawks and Joe has been awesome thus far. I think the Hawks could be playoff bound this year because it looks as though some of the lower seed teams will be looking in on the playoffs (Boston, Milwaukee, etc.) Go Hawks!

[Laxation]

How about Odom?

Nice rankings though - good for a read

[Flash 3]

Lebron James can go die in a hole. Shove Wade in there.

[Zoom]

Just one thing, these aren't rankings and I will add the other player's names on as time goes by and things pan out. Everyone is playing 'well' right now so there's really lots of lots of players I coudl have chucked in. But with the players you guys have asked about:

Carmelo: I was tempted to put him in but the Nuggets aren't doing that great.

Kevin Garnett: Same as Melo.

Leandro Barbosa: I really didn't think about him. I'm aware he's doing good but I don't think of him as an MVP candidate.

Kidd: Indeed Kidd is doing good but so is Vince Carter. Maybe they both should be on the list?

Lamar Odom: Hasn't shown much consistency... seems to mysteriously struggle to understand that even with Kobe, he can play like he did in the first 3 games of the season...

Wade: If Flash_3 actually reads, I've put his name there already

Well, don't worry! Next week I will make sure I make a Top 10 list for all of you's sake. Thanks for reading!

[Matt]

good to see Joe Johnson up there.....i wonder if Phx regret not matching his contract? I mean he would be the only player on the team that could score at will, shoot, create, defend.

[Zoom]

And he would be capable of playing the PG position better than Marcus Banks

I guess the Suns knew he was good but thought he wasn't good enough to do it himself. Also, JJ really really wanted to be a star on a team. So I guess he would have demanded a trade if Phoenix did match the offer. Well, at least they got Diaw who did good last season. This season, Amare's presence is really stopping him play well.

[CMJ3]

I think Diaw will be better in the Long Run, plus with the absence of JJ and Bell its help give Barbosa PT and hes really shown what hes got and what hes got is good, so all in all it was a good result for both teams.

[Zoom]

Once Steve Nash is about done (In 2 seasons...), the Suns will wish they kept Johnson.

[---]

Why 2 seasons? Nash's game doesn't need him to be athletic or quick (things you lose in age), and as they say, the older the wiser. I could see another 4 good seasons from Steve before the breakdown.

[Zoom]

About done as in, he won't be playing a ton of minutes. They are going to need someone to step in and help him out. His backs already giving him trouble and Phoenix probably sure wish JJ stuck in town. They've been looking for a 1 man since. Banks isn't playing up to what people think he should be playing. Barbosa is more of a 2.

[CMJ3]

They could also make a trade down the track to get someone better when Nash decides to push on.

Another darkhorse and not very noticeable for the MVP at the moment is Dirk, hes averaging 25ppg and 9 rebounds. I guess he is always up there tho.

[Zoom]

He's not there yet. Not in my books. The team record isn't very appealing.

[Flash 3]

Just one thing, these aren't rankings and I will add the other player's names on as time goes by and things pan out. Everyone is playing 'well' right now so there's really lots of lots of players I coudl have chucked in. But with the players you guys have asked about:

Carmelo: I was tempted to put him in but the Nuggets aren't doing that great.

Kevin Garnett: Same as Melo.

Leandro Barbosa: I really didn't think about him. I'm aware he's doing good but I don't think of him as an MVP candidate.

Kidd: Indeed Kidd is doing good but so is Vince Carter. Maybe they both should be on the list?

Lamar Odom: Hasn't shown much consistency... seems to mysteriously struggle to understand that even with Kobe, he can play like he did in the first 3 games of the season...

Wade: If Flash_3 actually reads, I've put his name there already

Well, don't worry! Next week I will make sure I make a Top 10 list for all of you's sake. Thanks for reading!

By the way, my username is Flash 3, not Flash_3. No one ever adds Paul Pierce. 12 rpg as a sf?

[Matt]

with the absence of JJ and Bell its help give Barbosa PT and hes really shown what hes got and what hes got is good

but Barbosa's only use is scoring. When he's not scoring he's a liability because he can't defend or run the offense.

[Zoom]

By the way, my username is Flash 3, not Flash_3. No one ever adds Paul Pierce. 12 rpg as a sf?

Boston is 1-5, go figure why Pierce isn't on the list. For the same reason as why KG isn't on it.

[CMJ3]

but Barbosa's only use is scoring. When he's not scoring he's a liability because he can't defend or run the offense.

Well last game his stats were 16 pts 12 assists 4 steals and a blocked shot, i wouldnt say he is a liability.

[Flash 3]

but Barbosa's only use is scoring. When he's not scoring he's a liability because he can't defend or run the offense.

Well last game his stats were 16 pts 12 assists 4 steals and a blocked shot, i wouldnt say he is a liability.

One game means nothing in the NBA.

[CMJ3]

one game means nothing? so kobes 81 points ment nothing?

I was using it as an example to show what kind of form he is in which is determined by his latest game.

[Flash 3]

one game means nothing? so kobes 81 points ment nothing?

I was using it as an example to show what kind of form he is in which is determined by his latest game.

Damon Stoudemire scored 54 Points in the season before last, where he practically did nothing.