Making the Case for each MVP Candidate

It's almost the home stretch for the NBA's regular season, and the Most Valuable Player race is as hot as it has been in recent memory. Five players are in true contention for the NBA's top individual award, and as we head into the final five weeks of the season, each game will be crucial towards their respective campaigns.

Here is a breakdown of the potential NBA MVP candidates.

Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)
2015 Season Stats- 24.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 2.9 bpg, 55% FG, 83% FT

Davis continues to find ways to dominate more and more each night. In Sunday's 118-110 double overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets, the 22-year-old flirted with a quadruple-double, posting a stat line of 36 points, 14 rebounds, nine blocks and seven assists. Over his past five games, Davis is averaging 29.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.4 blocks and 4.2 assists per game (NOLA is 3-2 in those games). His 2.9 blocks per contests leads the league by a solidly wide margin (Serge Ibaka #2 at 2.4), and his field goal percentage is good for seventh overall.

Why He Wins- Getting the Pelicans past OKC and into the playoffs is crucial for Davis' chances. His numbers fit the eye test, and continued monster outings will significantly improve his chances. It will be tough though, as he is competing against four other big candidates who will take away some votes.



LeBron James (Cleveland SF)
2015 Season Stats- 26.0 ppg, 7.4 apg, 5.7 rpg, 49% FG, 35% 3PT

The Cleveland small forward took some time making his MVP run, but like death and taxes, you knew it was coming at some point during the season. His Cavaliers are quickly climbing the playoff ladder in a weakening Eastern Conference, and his scoring, rebounding and assist numbers are pretty much on par with his career stats. His 4.2 turnovers per game are slightly concerning, but James makes up for his mistakes in so many other areas that it isn't something that would cost him the award. One possible roadblock to his fifth MVP award is the strong play of teammate Kyrie Irving, who is scoring 28 points a game (Career-high 57 against Spurs last week) over his last five games on 55% shooting from the field.

Why He Wins- James' strong overall numbers across the board, combined with his resume of four previous MVP awards could push the voters into giving him his fifth. It's a double-edged sword however, as voter fatigue could cost him the award. The Cavs will need to continue to play well down the stretch, and 14-point losses to the Heat will not help his cause.



James Harden (Houston SG)
2015 Season Stats- 26.8 ppg, 7.1 apg, 5.8 rpg, 44% FG, 37% 3PT

The Beard has been phenomenal leading the Rockets while Dwight Howard remain out due to injury. His 26.8 ppg trails only Russell Westbrook, and he leads the NBA in free throws made (8.5), and attempted (9.8), while knocking them down at an 86.6% rate. Harden can get hot from anywhere on the court at anytime, and his play has Houston only two and a half games from the second seed in a jam-packed Western Conference.

Why He Wins- When Harden's perimeter shot is falling, he is impossible to stop, as he can truly beat you from anywhere. He can take home the hardware if he can push the Rockets to a top-three seed, while maintain efficient strong play.



Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)-
2015 Season Stats- 23.6 ppg, 7.8 apg, 4.4 rpg, 48% FG, 42% 3PT

The dribbling and shooting wizard recently celebrated his 27th birthday in typical Curry fashion, going off for 27 points and 11 assists in a 125-94 victory over the New York Knicks. Curry's play has been consistently strong all season long, and his 2.17 steals per game put him just behind Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard for tops in the league. He leads all players in three-pointer made (216), and attempted (513), and his 42% conversion rate from behind the arc is good for seventh among qualified shooters. Curry is absolutely electrifying to watch on a nightly basis, and is always putting on a show for the fans, whether at home or on the road.

Why He Wins- The Warriors record (Currently 53-13) is not only leading the Western Conference, but also the NBA. His play is great against good and poor competition, and Curry's overall consistency on both ends of the floor will give the voters good reason to give the 27-year-old his first MVP award.



Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)
2015 Season Stats- 27.5 ppg, 8.4 apg, 7.3 rpg, 43% FG, 84% FT

The triple-double machine continues to roll along, as Westbrook recorded his eighth of the season four days ago in a 113-99 win versus the Minnesota Timberwolves (29 pts, 12 ast, 10 reb). Efficiency and turnovers have been an issue, as his field goal percentage and turnovers per game are the worst of any other candidate listed in this breakdown. In addition, the Thunder are the eight seed by only a half a game over Davis' Pelicans, and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. However, without Westbrook, OKC would most likely not be in the playoff hunt (Kevin Durant has missed 40 games this year).

Why He Wins- The positives (Pts, Reb, Ast, Stls) outweigh the negatives (FG %, TO's) by enough of a margin that voters will see Westbrook's true value to the Thunder. Pulling away from the Pelicans will also strengthen his case, as he looks to become the first pair of teammates (Along with Durant) to win back-to-back MVP awards since the Boston Celtics from 1956-1958 (Bob Cousy and Bill Russell respectively.



Who do you think is the NBA's Most Valuable Player? Comment below and state your case.

Otherwise...

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

*All stats accurate as of March 17

Kyrie Irving is the Closest Thing to Kobe Bryant in the NBA

Kyrie Irving dropped a career-high 57 points two nights ago to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 128-125 overtime win against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Yes you read that correctly. Kyrie Irving, not LeBron James, led the way to a Cavaliers victory with a monster performance.

The 22-year-old point guard who played just 11 games at Duke, and is only in his fourth season in the league torched the world champion Spurs for the most points by a single player in the Greg Popovich era. Whether you hate or love the Cavaliers, you can't help but be in awe of Irving's performance last night. He knocked down 20 of 32 field goal attempts, all seven 3-point shots, and all 10 free throw attempts while being guarded by just about every member of the Spurs roster. He showed no shyness or lack of confidence, expecting the ball on every possession, and was never hesitant or indecisive.



With Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant out for the season due to a torn right rotator cuff, the NBA has been looking for someone to emulate his cold-blooded killer instinct night after night. James Harden and Russell Westbrook come to mind, and even Bryant himself has said that the latter plays angry like he did when he was younger.

But there is something about Irving that just seems comparable to the future Hall-of-Famer. The 22-year-old is even the first player since, you guessed it, Bryant, to have multiple 55-point games in a season. He also credited Bryant with helping him with contested shots, stating that he "Learned from Kobe to just point his elbow at the rim and let the ball go."

Irving's performance mirrors that of one Bryant had back in 2007, when he scored 65 points to lead the Lakers to a 116-111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The "Black Mamba" tallied 31 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, hitting ridiculous shot after ridiculous to will his team to a win, much like Irving did last night.



Irving also has the competitiveness and swagger that fans love about Bryant, as evidence by their exchange before the 2012 Olympics. The then reigning Rookie of the Year came up to a man who had won back-to-back titles just two years earlier and challenged him to a game of one-on-one. This wasn't a joke or false challenge. Irving stated that Bryant would have to guard him and continued, saying "You would not lock me up." He refused to back down when the elder statesmen told him it wasn't a good idea, even offering up 50,000 dollars to the winner's charity to sweeten the pot.



One thing is clear- Kyrie Irving is a bad man, and is only getting better. No, I am not saying that he is a top-five player in the league or some amazing God of basketball. Rather, his intangibles and desire to win rival that of a legend like Bryant. Irving will get his first taste of the playoffs come April, and that will be his biggest test. The 36-year-old has five NBA titles, and has had many big games in the postseason.

LeBron James will not be able to carry the team on his own when the Cavs run up against opponents like the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. It will be on Irving to prove his true value when it matters most. If he can put up 57 points against one of the best defensive teams in the league, anything is possible. It's time to sit back, relax and get your popcorn ready.

Is Kyrie Irving the player most like Kobe Bryant in the NBA today?
If not, who do you think is? Comment below.

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

*Quotes courtesy of: https://twitter.com/EthanJSkolnick 

Who is the Best Point Guard in the NBA?

One of the hottest debates in the National Basketball Association right now revolves around who is the best point guard. With it currently being a point guard dominant league, having a top-tier floor general is key to success, especially come playoff time. Five point guards have really stood out this year, so let's take a look at where they fall in terms of being the best in the league.

Almost made the cut:

Damian Lillard (Season stats- 21.1 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.8 rpg)- Lillard is one of the most explosive point guards in the league, and will someday soon be in this conversation. However, his assist totals, as well as his defensive numbers aren't quite at the level of the names that are soon to be mentioned. I will give him his due though, as he is one of the go-to guys in crunch time, and is does not shy away from big moments/games.

John Wall (Season stats- 16.9 ppg, 10.0 apg, 4.5 rpg)- During the first month of the season, it would have been hard to keep Wall out of the top-tier group. His Wizards were 22-9 through December, and double-doubles were a routine thing for the 24-year-old guard from Kentucky. Now, they sit at 36-28 (14-19 since Jan. began), and Wall's scoring has been up and down. However, he is still an athletic freak who will be a force in this league for many years to come.

The Big Three

Stephen Curry (Season stats- 23.8 ppg, 7.7 apg, 4.4 rpg)- Move over LeBron James and Kevin Durant, there is a new man ascending to the throne. Curry has skipped the stairs and taken the elevator straight to the top of almost every list (MVP, Best Player, Etc.). He is electrifying to watch, with his dazzling handles and pure as silk jump shot. But his statistics back up his amazing plays, and then some.

He is chasing a 50/40/90 season (Currently at 48.5% FG, 42.2% 3PT, 90.3% FT), and his Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 27.94 is good for third behind Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. Curry's defense is also much improved, with his 2.2 steals per game leading NBA. Look for Curry to possibly raise his first MVP award come the end of the year, while his number-one seed Golden State Warriors will try and win championships for the first time since 1975.

Chris Paul (Season stats- 18.2 ppg, 10.2 apg, 4.8 rpg)- When it comes to elite floor generals, CP3 has been at or near the top of the list since the 2007-08 season. This year has been a quiet one in terms of him getting recognition, as his Clippers have struggled at times, and are currently the fifth seed in the West. That should not take away from the great season that Paul is achieving, despite not having teammate and superstar Blake Griffin since Feb. 8 (Elbow injury).

Paul is shooting 47% from the field on the year, and recently has seven double-doubles in his last eight games (51% shooting, 12.6 apg during that span). He has reclaimed the lead in assists per game, and will likely win that honor for the fourth time in his career. Paul's PER of 24.87 ranks third among qualified point guard, behind Curry and Westbrook respectively. His ability to control the pace of a game is matched by no one else in the NBA, and is a model that young point guards coming into the leaguer should follow.

Russell Westbrook (Season stats- 27.4 ppg, 8.3 apg, 7.1 rpg)- What can be said about Russell Westbrook that hasn't been said already? He is the most athletic point guard in the league, and has shown utter dominance with since the beginning of February. He averaged 31.2 points, 10.3 assists and 9.1 rebounds a game, while being named the Western Conference Player of the Month and the all-star game MVP.

In March, Westbrook is putting up staggering 40.7 points, 11.3 assists and 11.3 rebounds a game, while attempting an average of 16 free throws per contests. His PER has soared to a mark of 30.15, which as stated before trails only Anthony Davis, and his usage percentage of 38.1 leads all players by a wide margin. If the Thunder are able to hold on and make the playoffs in a tightly contested conference, Westbrook should and will receive many MVP votes.



Verdict 

The bottom line is this- any general manager in his right mind would love to have any of these five outstanding point guards on their team. Each one can put a team on their respective backs and win many games. With that being said, if I had to pick just one as the best in the league, I am going to lean with Stephen Curry. His balance of scoring and assisting is almost perfect, and his game is still evolving. Curry hasn't just made it to the top floor of the building, he now owns it.

*All stats accurate as of March 11

2014-15 NBA Standings 

Check out bunow.com for local and national news stories will by Bloomsburg University students.

Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33

*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

Nightly Recap- March 9

Top Performances

Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Dropped 36 points, six rebounds and five assists in a 98-80 win over the Phoenix Suns. Curry caught fire from deep, knocking down seven 3-pointers in the win (14-24 FG). It was his first 30-point game in a little over a week, but he continues to fill up the rest of the stat sheet, and is averaging 7.8 assists and 2.1 steals a game for the season.

Source

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee SG/SF)- Scored a career-high 29 points on 11-16 shooting in the Bucks' loss to the Pelicans. The "Greek Freak" as he is known, had one of his best games this season, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists in the process. Nights like these show fans the true potential of what could be a future all-star or even MVP in Antetokounmpo.

Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Tied a carer-high with 43 points in a 114-103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Davis was an absolute beast on both ends of the floor Monday night, grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing out six assists and blocking two shots in the much-needed win for the Pelicans. He is scoring almost 34 points a game while pulling down almost 12 rebounds a game in the four contests since coming back from his shoulder injury.

Source

Jeff Teague (Atlanta PG)- Recorded a double-double of 18 points and 13 assists in a 130-105 win over the Sacramento Kings. Teague shot 7 of 11 from the field, and the 13 assists were as many as he had tallied in his last three games combined. The Hawks were firing on all cylinders Monday night, as they hit 20 3-pointers in the win over the Kings.

Play of the Night

Giannis Antetokounmpo showcased his footwork and amazing athleticism by spinning in the lane and slamming home a dunk during Monday nights' game versus the Pelicans.


2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

Weekend Recap- March 6-8

Friday, March 6

James Harden (Houston SG)- Recorded his third triple-double with 38 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a 103-93 win over the Detroit Pistons. Harden knocked down 10 of 21 field goal attempts and 16 of 18 free throw attempts in the win. His passing has been exceptional of late, as he has dished out double digit assists in five of his past seven games.

Source

Victor Oladipo (Orlando SG)- Tallied 32 points, 10 assists and five steals in a 119-114 win over the Sacramento Kings. Oladipo is blossoming into a talented two-way guard, as he has scored 30+ points in two of his last three games, and has recorded 10 steals in those contests. He is averaging 17.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists a game.

Rudy Gay (Sacramento SF)- Scored 39 points in the Kings' 119-114 loss to the Magic on Friday night. It was his second-highest scoring game of the year, and came on an efficient 16 of 26 shooting from the field. Gay is averaging almost 21 points and six rebounds on the year, while dishing out just under four assists a game.

Source

Saturday, March 7

DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Recorded 27 points and 17 rebounds in a 114-109 loss to the Miami Heat. Cousins once again had an efficient night, as he shot 10 of 17 from the field, and 7 of 8 from the foul line. He is one of the best big men in the game hands down, and has three double-doubles in his last four games.

Source

Khris Middleton (Milwaukee SG/SF)- Exploded for a season-high 30 points, while also grabbing nine rebounds in a 91-85 win against the Washington Wizards. Middleton knocked down six 3-points in the win, showcasing his accurate long range abilities. He has scored in double-digits in his last 15 games, and is a talented defender as well, nabbing 1.6 steals a game for the season.

Damian Lillard (Portland PG)- Tallied 32 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in a 121-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lillard hit 11 shots in the game, including four 3-pointers, as the 32 points were more than he had scored in his previous two games combined.


Sunday, March 8

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Another day, another triple-double for Westbrook. The Thunder point guard posted a line of 30 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds in a 108-104 victory versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. Westbrook continued his surge towards a possible MVP award, hitting 9 of 21 field goal attempts and tallying his fifth triple-double in six games.

Source

Brandon Bass (Boston PF)- Notched a double-double of 19 points and 17 rebounds in a 103-98 loss to the Orlando Magic. Bass hit 9 of his 14 field goal attempts, and has now scored 15 or more points in four of his last five contests.

Pau Gasol (Chicago PF/C)- Tallied 23 points and 15 rebounds in a 116-105 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Gasol once again put up a double-double (His 4th in a row), and also blocked two shots in the loss to the defending champs. Gasol's play and numbers should have him in the hunt for a possible All-NBA selection come the end of the season.


2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

Nightly Recap- March 4

Top Performances

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Posted his fourth straight triple-double in a 123-118 overtime victory versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Westbrook's amazing stretch of basketball continued, as he tallied a career-high 49 points, career-high 16 rebounds and 10 assists on 16-33 shooting from the field (16-20 FT).


Source

Isaiah Canaan (Philadelphia PG)- Scored 31 points and nocked down eight 3-pointers in the 76ers' loss to the Thunder. Canaan's 31 points were more than he had recorded in his previous three games combined, and he also contributed seven rebounds and six assists,. He should receive the bulk of the minutes going forward as the starting point guard for Philly.

Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Came back from injury to dominate with 39 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks in an 88-85 win over the Detroit Pistons. Davis showed no rust after missing five games, hitting 17 of 30 field goal attempts, while only turning the ball over once. He is now primed to get back in the MVP race, and propelling the Pelicans back into the playoffs will surely help his case.

Source

Hassan Whiteside (Miami C)- Grabbed 25 rebounds in Miami's 100-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Whiteside also pitched in 18 points and four blocks, and is one of the best big men in the league over the past two months.

LeBron James (Cleveland SF)- Recorded 29 points, 14 assists and six rebounds in a 120-112 win against the Toronto Raptors. James hit 9 of 16 shot attempts, and 8 of his 13 free throws, while committing only three turnovers in the win. He now has four straight games of 27 or more points for the Cavaliers.

Source

Play of the Night

Russell Westbrook went coast-to-coast for a thunderous slam in OKC's win over the 76ers, proving that the mask he was wearing had no impact on his play.



On This Date in History- March 5

2008- LeBron James scored 50 points in the Cavs' 119-105 win over the New York Knicks. James also added in 10 assists and eight rebounds in one of his best games of that season.

2014-15 NBA Standings 

Check out bunow.com for local and national stories will by Bloomsburg University students.

Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33

*All stats/facts courtesy of ESPN/Basketball Reference 

Nightly Recap- March 3

Top Performances

DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Dropped 22 points and 10 rebounds in a 124-86 win over the New York Knicks. Cousins put together his 31st game with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, which leads the NBA. He only took 10 shots (5-10 FG), but knocked down all 11 free throw attempts in the blowout win. It was a great performance for the all-star after he missed two games with an ankle injury.

Source

Jeremy Lin (Los Angeles PG)- Tallied 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a 104-103 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. It was perhaps Lin's finest game in a Laker uniform, as he connected on 9 of 16 field goal attempts, including three 3-pointers. He is averaging 18 points and 5.5 assists per game since the all-star break ended, and is giving the Lakers a huge spark off of the bench heading into the final stretch of the season.

Rudy Gobert (Utah C)- Scored 17 points and pulled down a career-high 24 rebounds in a 93-82 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Gobert set a record for most rebounds grabbed against Memphis in a single game, and it was his third double-double in his last four games. With Enes Kanter out of the picture, Gobert figures to be the centerpiece that the Jazz will build around for the next few years.

Source

Danilo Gallinari (Denver SF/PF)- Recorded a season-high 26 points and seven rebounds in a 106-95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Gallinari has been dealing with injuries for most of the season, but finally appears to be healthy and contributing the way the Nuggets thought he would back in October. He is a threat from anywhere on the court, and can slash through the lane almost anytime he wants to with effectiveness.

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Weekend Recap- Feb.27-March 1

Friday's Top Performances

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Recorded his third consecutive triple-double in a 115-112 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Westbrook's phenomenal stretch of basketball continued, as he poured in 40 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, while hitting 14 of 32 shot attempts. He has zoomed up the MVP rankings, and is doing any-and everything he can to give his team a chance to win games night in and night out.

Source

Greg Monroe (Detroit PF)- Scored 28 points in a 121-115 double overtime loss to the New York Knicks. Monroe led the Pistons into overtime, doing everything he could to give them the win, but it wasn't enough. The 28 points were most than he had scored in his previous two games combined.

LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland PF)- Recorded 29 points and 16 rebounds in Portland's win over the Thunder on Friday evening. Aldridge hit 10 of 23 shot attempts, and 9 of 10 free throw attempts in the big win for Portland.

Source

Jimmy Butler (Chicago SG)- Tallied 28 points and 12 rebounds in a 96-89 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Butler nailed 11 of his 19 shot attempts, and as usual, filled up the rest of the stat sheet with two steals and two blocks.

Saturday's Top Performances

Deron Williams (Brooklyn PG)- Sparked the Nets to a 104-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 25 points and grabbing six rebounds. Williams turned back the clocks, as he missed only five of his 14 shot attempts, and only committed one turnover in the big win.


Source

Hassan Whiteside (Miami C)- Pulled down 24 rebounds, while adding in 14 points in a 93-91 loss to the East-leading Atlanta Hawks. It was the fourth double-double in his last five games, as Whiteside has been one of the biggest surprises of this NBA season.

Marc Gasol (Memphis C)- Gasol scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 101-97 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Spaniard was uber-effecient from the floor, knocking down 11 of 14 field goal attempts, while also dishing out four assists for the current number two seed in the Western Conference.
Sunday's Top Performances

Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Exploded for 37 points in a 106-101 comeback win over the Boston Celtics Sunday. The Warriors trailed by as many as 26 points in the second quarter, but rallied behind their leader and one of the league's top MVP candidates to come away with a win. Curry knocked down 14 of his 22 shot attempts, including five 3-pointers, while dishing out five assists.

Chris Paul (Los Angeles PG)- Recorded a double-doubled of 28 points and 12 rebounds the Clippers' 96-86 victory on the road against the Chicago Bulls. Paul was in total control throughout the entire game, as this was his fourth consecutive double-double, with three of those being of the 20+ point and 10+ assist variety.

Source

Damian Lillard (Portland PG)- Dropped 31 points in a 110-99 win over the Sacramento Kings. Lillard had his second consecutive game scoring 29 or more points, hitting 11 of 20 field goal attempts. The young stud from Weber State also added in seven assists and four rebounds.

2014-15 NBA Standings 

Check out bunow.com for local and national stories will by Bloomsburg University students.

Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33

*All stats courtesy of ESPN