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

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.

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*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- 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 

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Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33

*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Feb. 24

Top Performances

Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Returned from an ankle injury to score 32 points and dish out eight assists in a 114-107 win over the Washington Wizards. Curry hit 11 of 18 field goal attempts, including a circus layup over two Washington players that went almost above the rim and came back down without hitting the rim. He continues to be at the top of MVP discussions, and games like these only bolster his resume.

Source

Kevin Love (Cleveland PF)- Shot 8 of 16 from the field and scored 24 points in a 103-92 win against the Detroit Pistons. All of Love's points came via the 3-point line (8-14 3PM), and the big man from UCLA also pulled down 9 rebounds as the Cavs won their 17th out of their last 19 contests.

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Dominated the Pacers to the tune of 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 105-92 win. In yet another triple-double for Westbrook, he shot 8 of 19 from the field, and put up the incredible numbers in just 28 minutes of action, as he sat out the fourth quarter. February has been the month of Westbrook, as he is averaging 29.5 points, 10.1 assists and 8.2 rebounds, while the Thunder have won seven straight games.

Source

Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City PF)-Posted a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds in the Thunder's win over the Pacers on Tuesday night. Ibaka made the most of his 11 shot opportunities during the game, sinking nine of them, while also adding in three blocked shots.

Paul Pierce (Washington SF)- The veteran small forward poured in 25 points during a 114-107 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Pierce hit 7 of 11 field goal attempts, and all nine free throw attempts in the loss, scoring in double figures for only the second time in two weeks.

Source

Play of the Night

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James passed Scottie Pippen for most assists all-time by a forward on Tuesday night. It was a behind-the-back pass from James to Love, who connected on the 3-pointer midway through the second quarter that pushed the 30-year-old to the top of the leaderboard.



Notes- Bulls guard Derrick Rose will have surgery to repair a torn right meniscus, and then a timetable for return will be determined. It is the same injury suffered early last season by Rose, and a crushing blow to Chicago's Finals' aspirations.

Source

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33

*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Feb. 20

Top Performances

Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Dropped 25 points and 11 assists in a 110-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Curry picked up his first double-double in over a month, shooting 8 of 17 from the field in the win. The Warriors continue to play great basketball, and are in cruise control for the top seed in the Western Conference.

Source

Louis Williams (Toronto SG)- Hit seven 3-pointers and tallied 26 points  in a 105-80 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Williams hit 9 of 14 field goal attempts and scored over 20 points for the second consecutive game. His hot shooting provides a huge spark off the bench for the Raptors, as they chase the Hawks for the number one seed in the East.

DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Recorded 31 points and 15 rebounds in a 109-101 victory versus the Boston Celtics. In George Karl's first game as head coach of the Kings, Cousins put on a show, hitting 12 of 18 shot attempts. He should prove to be Karl's best asset going forward as the Kings look to make a playoff push.

Source

Nerlens Noel (Philadelphia C)- Almost posted a triple-double, scoring 12 points, grabbing nine rebounds and blocking nine shots in a 106-95 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Noel shot 5 of 9 from the field, and also nabbed four steals. He continues to put up solid defensive numbers, and his offense is progressing for the 76ers.

Plays of the Night

DeMarcus Cousins threw down a monster dunk in transition against the Boston Celtics on Friday night.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQlK6HS7xf4

Wiggins Soars for the Dunk

Andrew Wiggins flew and slammed home a monster dunk in a 111-109 win over the Phoenix Suns. Wiggins finished the game with 20 points on 9-15 shooting.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWvV4U2SvMc

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Feb. 4

Top Performances

Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Went off for 51 points in a 128-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks. Curry scored 26 of those points in the third quarter alone, and finished the game shooting 16-26 from the field, including 10 3-pointers. It marked his second career 50 point game, with the other being in 2013, when he dropped 54 points agains the Knicks.

Source

Hassan Whiteside (Miami C)- Hit 12 of 13 field goal attempts, scoring 24 points in a 102-101 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Whiteside also grabbed 20 rebounds, and continues to shine in Miami's starting lineup. He has recorded a double-double in five of his last six games.

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Tallied 45 points, six rebounds and six assists in a 102-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. With Kevin Durant out again with a injury, Westbrook shouldered the load offensively, hitting 18 of 31 field goal attempts in the win. He remains one of the most dynamic and talented stat sheet-stuffers in the game, and the Thunder will need him to be on top of his game in order to make the playoffs.

Source

Tobias Harris (Orlando SF)- Recorded 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a 110-103 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Harris hit 9-13 from the field, including three 3-pointers in the loss. It was the first time since returning from injury that he has scored over 20 points.

Play of the Night

Check out Stephen Curry's incredible 51-point performance versus the Dallas Mavericks, including his 26-point third quarter.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf60wq-tifw

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN 

Nightly Recap- Jan. 27

Top Performances

Kyire Irving (Cleveland PG)- Dropped 38 points and six assists in a 103-95 win over the Detroit Pistons. Irving shot 13-23 from the field, and hit six 3-pointer in the Cavs' seventh straight win. He put up at least 37 points for the third time this month, and appears to be finding his rhythm alongside teammate LeBron James.

Source

Pau Gasol (Chicago PF/C)- Recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists in a 113-111 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors. Gasol also chipped in four blocks and shot 7-12 from the field in the thrilling win. He continues to produce double-doubles, recording one in his last seven games.

Joakim Noah (Chicago C)- Posted a line of 18 points, 15 rebounds and six assists in the Bulls' win over the Warriors on Tuesday night. It was one of Noah's best games of the season, as he also shot 7-12 from the field, and played over 30 minutes for the first time in about two weeks.

Source

John Wall (Washington PG)- Tallied 21 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds in a 98-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Wall shot 8-12 from the field, and would've scored even more points if not for an uncharacteristically poor night at the foul line (5-12 FT). It marked his second straight double-double, and his fourth in his last five contests.

Klay Thompson (Golden State SG)- Scored 30 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the Warriors' loss to the Bulls. Thompson hit four 3-pointers and recorded his first double-double of the season. Over his last three games, he is averaging 37.7 points and six 3-pointers on 58% shooting from the field.

Source

Plays of the Night

Warriors point guard Steph Curry channeled his inner Magic Johnson Tuesday night, throwing a no-look over-the-shoulder pass to David Lee for a slam dunk in the fourth quarter of their overtime loss to the Bulls.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO-RvacCd9w

Rose Hits Game-Winning Jumper

Bulls' point guard Derrick Rose stepped back and hit the game-winning jumper over Klay Thompson with under 10 seconds to play on Tuesday night. Rose finished the game with 33 points, seven rebounds and an astounding 11 turnovers.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IpLKdTPXdE

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN

Nightly Recap- Jan. 17

Top Performances

Stephen Curry/Klay Thompson (Golden State PG/SG)- The Splash Bros. combined for 54 points in a 131-106 win over the Houston Rockets. Curry posted a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Thompson dropped 27 points and blocked five shots in the big win. The Warriors' duo has been one of the best backcourts in the NBA this season, and are leading Golden State to a top four seed in the West.

Kyle Korver (Atlanta SG/SF)- Caught fire from 3-point range, hitting seven shots from deep in a 107-99 win against the Chicago Bulls. Korver and the Hawks kept rolling along, winning their 26th game in their last 28 contests. Korver is shooting over 50% from the field and from 3-point range, and over 90% from the free throw range this season, and is making a strong case for an all-star bid.

Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota SG/SF)- Scored a career-high 31 points in a 113-105 win over the Denver Nuggets. Wiggins hit four 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds in the win, and is starting to lock up the Rookie of the Year award. He has scored 20+ points in eight of his last ten games, and is shooting over 50% from the field and over 44% from 3-point range during that span.

Matt Barnes (Los Angeles SF)- Tied a season-high with 26 points in a 117-108 win over the Sacramento Kings. Barnes hit 10 of his 15 shots attempts (four 3-pointers), and also grabbed 10 rebounds in what was one of his best games of the season. He has played more minutes recently than he has all season, and has scored in double-digits in six of his last seven games as a result.

Jason Thompson (Sacramento PF/C)- Recorded a double-double of 23 points and a career-high 22 rebounds in a 117-108 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Thompson started in place of an injured DeMarcus Cousins, and had himself a career-night, scoring and and grabbing more rebounds than he had in his last three games combined.

Play of the Night

Warriors point guard Stephen Curry dished out what was one of the wackiest assists of the season in a win over the Rockets. He threw the ball behind his back to Harrison Barnes for the dunk.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu_lQ-LI6sc

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN

Nightly Recap- Jan. 14

Top Performances

Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Scored 32 points and hit seven 3-pointers in a 104-89 win over the Miami Heat. One night after recording a 27 point/11 assist double-double against the Jazz, Curry was back at it, hitting 11 of 19 field goal attempts in the Warriors' eighth straight win. He continues to put up all-star, and MVP numbers for Golden State, and is having the best season of his career.

Source

Victor Oladipo (Orlando PG/SG)- Tallied 32 points, six rebounds and six assists in a 120-113 win over the Houston Rockets. It was Oladipo's second consecutive 30+ point performance, and is a great sign for the Magic moving forward. He is scoring 23.4 points a game, and dishing out 4.2 assists over his last five games.

Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked four shots in a 105-94 win over the Detroit Pistons. It was his fourth double-dobule in his last five games, and Davis has blocked 15 shots in that span.

Source

Ty Lawson (Denver PG)- Finished with 29 points, 12 assists and five rebounds in a 114-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks. It was a season-high in points for Lawson, as he hit 10 of 18 shot attempts, as well as 9 of 13 free throw attempts in the big win for Denver. Over his last five games, he is averaging 21.4 points, 9.6 assists while shooting 58.8% from the field, all wins for the Nuggets.

LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland PF)- Recorded 37 points and 12 rebounds in a 100-94 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Aldridge did all he could to keep Portland in the game as teammate Damian Lillard hit only 5 of 16 shot attempts, but it wasn't quite enough. He continues to be one of the highest scoring big men in the league, and is grabbing over 10 rebounds a game.

Source

Play of the Night

Memphis center Marc Gasol showcased his playmaking abilities Wednesday night, making a behind-the-head pass to Tony Allen for the layup in a 103-92 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuRba_keVuc 

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN

First MVP Rankings of 2015

As we head into the new year, let's take a look at my current MVP rankings in the NBA. The rankings are based off of team success, individual performances/numbers, as well as any other intangibles that have been seen this season. Be sure to click the links and/or the photos for video highlights of the players.

Outside Looking In

Other notables- Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Damian Lillard

Jimmy Butler (Chicago SG)- 21.9 ppg, 6.2 rbp, 3.3 apg (48% FG, 34% 3PT, 83% FT)

Chris Paul (Los Angeles PG)- 17.9 ppg, 9.5 apg, 4.6 rpg (47% FG, 40% 3PT, 89% FT)

Marc Gasol (Memphis C)- 20.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.8 apg (50% FG, 81% FT, 1.7 BPG)

Top 5

5. James Harden (Houston SG)- The Houston shooting guard has taken over the last few weeks, and was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for his efforts in December. Harden is scoring 27.0 points, and dishing out 6.5 assists, to go along with 1.9 steals per game this season. His biggest game recently came in a 110-95 win over the portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 22. Harden scored 44 points (14-26 FG), dished out seven assists and recorded five steals in the big win. Expect Harden to continue receiving attention as long as his production stays the same, and Houston continues to win games.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5tXLoaRtWI

Source

4. DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Cousins missed some time due to illness, but has returned to form over the last two weeks, and is averaging 23.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game for the season. His offense and improving defense make him one of the better two-way players in the league, but in order to climb higher in the rankings, he will need to lead the Kings to more victories. However, his PER of 26.60 (Fifth in the NBA), along with his numbers/skill set. does help provide a solid case for Cousins.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KgTz9hVr8g

Source

3. Kyle Lowry (Toronto PG)- The recently announced Eastern Conference Player of the Month has been continuing to play at a high level for the 24-10 Toronto Raptors. In the month of December, Lowry averaged 22.3 points, 8.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds, all while shooting 46% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. His grit and tenacity fuels the Raptors night in and night out, and makes him a legitimate MVP candidate at this point in the season.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40_Aapo7Biw

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2. Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- The 21-year-old power forward/center continues to shine on both ends of the court, and is averaging 23.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season. His PER of 31.26 continues to lead the league, and Davis has shown he can compete against the best teams in the league, as evidence by his 29 points, 11 rebound and six block performance against the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 27. Barring an injury or for some bizarre reason, a slump, expect Davis to maintain his spot in the MVP conversation for the rest of the season.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N_QDxZD-qk

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1. Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Curry continues to shoot lights out from all areas of the court, and the Warriors are looking like top title contenders which each game. His defense has remained consistent and his passing, scoring and rebounding have helped the Warriors to an NBA-best 27-5. His PER of 26.9 is good for fourth in the league, and his 23.0 points and 7.8 assists per game are good for ninth and sixth respectively.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz2vrQ7EtIE

Source

Stay tuned for more MVP, as well other award rankings in the future, as we head move into the second half of the season.

*All stats are courtesy of ESPN

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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Nightly Recap- Jan. 2

Top Performances

Rajon Rondo (Dallas PG)- Scored 29 points in a 119-101 win over the Boston Celtics. Rondo was playing his first game in Boston since being traded, and shined, hitting 12 of 19 field goals, as well as grabbing six rebounds. He also received a heart-warming video tribute from the Celtics, as he was the last remaining player from their 2008 championship roster before he was traded.

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Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City SF)- Dropped 34 points and eight rebounds in a 109-102 win over the Washington Wizards. Durant was on his game versus one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, as he hit four 3-pointers, and more importantly, several key shots down the stretch to down the team that plays in his hometown. Barring any other freak injuries, KD should be set to have another season like his MVP one last year.

Jeff Teague (Atlanta PG)- Tallied 26 points and eight assists in a 98-92 win against the Utah Jazz. Teague was efficient on both sides of the ball Friday, as he hit 9 of 17 shot attempts and did not commit and single turnover. He has scored over 20 points in three consecutive games for the Hawks.

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Draymond Green (Golden State SF/PF)- Recorded a triple-double of 16 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 126-105 win over the Toronto Raptors. Green, who has been playing exquisitely in all areas this season, had yet another strong performance, as he hit 6 of his 12 shot attempts while recording two steals and two blocks. The young forward continues to shine, and putting up his first triple-double of his career is just another step in the right direction.

Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Posted a double-double of 32 points and 12 assists in the Warriors' win over the Raptors on Friday. Curry made 10 of his 18 field goal attempts, including five 3-pointers, and did not turn the ball over once. His play continues to be top-notch, and the Warriors are looking like a legitimate title-contending team.

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Elfrid Payton (Orlando PG)- Flirted with a triple-double Friday, scoring 16 points, dishing out 10 assists and grabbing nine rebounds in a 100-98 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. It was Payton's most complete game of his career, as he went toe-to-toe with Deron Williams and Jarrett Jack for most of the game, and showcased his talents on both ends of the court.

Play of the Night

Rajon Rondo shined in his return to Boston, scoring 29 points in the Mavericks' win.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB7seYkCQZY 

2014-15 NBA Standings 

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Daily Recap- Dec. 22

Top Performances

James Harden (Houston SG)- Tallied 44 points on 14-26 shooting in a 110-95 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Harden was on fire the entire game, and also filled up the stat sheet, recording seven assists and five steals.

Source

Klay Thompson (Golden State SG)- Registered 25 points in a 128-108 win over the Sacramento Kings. Thompson lit up Sacramento's defense early and often Monday night, hitting 10 of 16 shot attempts. He commited only one turnover and has scored 20+ points in nine of the last 10 games for the Warriors.

Jimmy Butler (Chicago SG)- Posted a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds in a 129-120 win over the Toronto Raptors. Butler had another double-double, and is having a career year for the Bulls.

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Boris Diaw (San Antonio PF)- Scored 23 points on 9 of 11 shooting in a 125-118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Diaw came out of nowhere to have a great game, as he played big minutes in the second half.

Chris Paul (Los Angeles PG)- Recorded 25 points, nine assists and four rebounds in a loss to the Spurs on Monday night. Paul did everything he could to give the Clippers a chance to defeat the defending champion Spurs, but it was just not enough, as San Antonio shot over 63% from the field in the win. Paul has had back-to-back games of 25+ points and nine or more assists, and appears to be trying to score more on an inconsistent Clippers team.

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Kyle Lowry (Toronto PG)- Posted a line of 34 points, six rebounds and three assists in a 129-120 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Lowry did everything he could to give Toronto a chance to win the game, but it wasn't enough as the Raptors fell just short. The Villanova product is nonetheless having an excellent season, and is living up to the 4yr/48 million dollar contract he signed in the offseason.

Play of the Night

Houston Rockets' guard James Harden erupted for 44 points in a win over the Trail Blazers, a rematch of last years' first round matchup in the Western Conference. Below is a video highlight package of his phenomenal night.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljFUzEzw7Ag

2014-15 NBA Standings

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Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33

Daily Recap- Dec. 18

Top Performances

Jimmy Butler (Chicago SG)- Scored a career-high 35 points on 11-21 shooting in a 103-97 win over the New York Knicks. Butler was on fire against New York, and also added in seven assists in the victory. The Bulls' young shooting guard has played phenomenal this year, and is leading the race for "Most Improved Player" this season. Butler's defense and hustle had always been on display, but his offensive game is vastly improved and fits right in with Chicago's system.

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Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Dominated with 30 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a 99-90 win over the Houston Rockets. Davis brought his "A" game against Houston center Dwight Howard, as the young phenom hit 10 of 17 shots, and got to the line 12 times (10-12 FT). Davis is showing no ill effects from his minor chest injury, and is back to his usual dominating self.

Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City SF)- Tallied 30 points in a 114-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors. Although Durant didn't play in the second half due to a sprained right ankle, he was simply unguardable in the first half. He hit 10 of the 13 shots he took, and looks to be almost back at full strength on offense. Time will tell if this ankle injury will cause him to miss any games.

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Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Scored 34 points, dished out nine assists and grabbed seven rebounds in the Warriors' win over the Thunder on Thursday night. Curry was firing on all cylinders against the Thunder, and continues to play at an MVP level in 2014. His passing, rebounding and defensive numbers have been consistent all year, and it is reflected in the Warriors' win total.

DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento PF/C)- Recorded a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds in a 108-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Cousins missed the potential game-winning shot at the buzzer, but played an otherwise outstanding game. Boogie appears to be back at full health, and will look to keep the Kings in playoff contention.

Source

Play of the Night

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka rejected a dunk attempt from Warriors' forward Harrison Barnes Thursday night. Barnes drove down on the fast break looking for a highlight play, but was instead stopped by one of the league's best shot blockers.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40yh3SxrWLg

2014-15 NBA Standings

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Daily Recap- Nov 14

Who Was Hot

Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles SG)- Passed Michael Jordan for third on the all-tine scoring list in a 100-94 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bryant recorded 26 points and six assists in the win, and passed Jordan with two free throws in the second quarter. It was the third straight win for the Lakers, who are now 8-16 on the season.

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Stephen Curry (Golden State PG)- Tallied 34 points to go along with seven assists and seven rebounds in a 128-122 overtime win against the New Orleans Pelicans. Curry has had recorded over 20 points and seven assists in four straight games, and is fueling the Warriors' blazing hot start this season.

Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio SF)- Stuffed the stat sheet in a 99-91 win over the Denver Nuggets. Leonard finished the game with 18 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, five steals and four assists in the victory. It was truly an all-around game for the young emerging star in San Antonio. Leonard continues to grow, and is taking on more responsibilities with the Spurs' offense.

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Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Scored 28 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out eight assists in a 112-88 win over the Phoenix Suns. Westbrook continues to shine since his return from a broken hand, and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Play of the Night

Bryant passed Michael Jordan for third most points in NBA history with two free throws on Sunday night. It was a momentous occasion, as Bryant has been so often compared to Jordan in all aspects of the game. The Lakers' shooting guard now sits with 32,310 total points.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Rz0TSprFc

2014-15 NBA Standings

Check out bunow.com for local and national stories written by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33