There are only a handful of games left in this years NBA regular season. Besides teams scrapping for the final playoff spots, some of the league’s elite players are vying to claim the NBA MVP Award. But before I can name who I think will win this years Maurice Pololoff Trophy, it must be established as to what it means to be the “Most Valuable Player.”
Many people have different opinions on what being an MVP constitutes, but for me, I believe it to be a player most indispensable to his team. It should be awarded to the one player should be the essential facet to his team’s fortunes for that season, someone who routinely carries his team to victory.
In my opinion, it doesn’t mean that you’re the best/most skilled player for that season. Sorry LeBron, but that means your not making it this year.
So with that established, here’s my Top-5 for the season.
Portland sits sixth in the Western Conference, and has been in great form since the All-Star break, winning nine of the fifteen games since the break. Without the play of Aldridge, the Blazers would be nowhere near the playoffs in the West.
It seems that their superstar center’s snub from the NBA’s player showcase has spurned him on, with Aldridge having been on fire as of late. He was rewarded for his play by being named the Western Conference Player of The Month for February, making him only the third Trailblazer in history, to do so.
For the second straight season, Durant is leading the NBA in scoring. His continued growth and improved, is the main reason for the Thunder’s terrific play, and back-to-back playoff appearances.
If this were last season Durant would be much higher on my list, but following on from that breakout season means higher expectations, but he appears to be handling them well. He will undoubtedly win an NBA MVP Award over his career, just not this year.
If you ever wanted to witness a player single handedly carrying his team, look no further than Howard. He has been monumental all season for the Magic, almost single-handedly willing them into fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Howard has raised his career scoring average by five points per game – from 18 to a shade over 23 – and pushed his already stellar rebounding number out to over 14 per game. His play saw his pick up the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award in February.
Howard is a lock to claim his third straight NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, but that should be the only individual accolade he collects this year.
Whether you love or hate Bryant, there is no doubting his importance to the Lakers, coming off back-to-back NBA Titles. He still routinely produces stellar numbers whilst being the primary focus for the Lakers but he has also embraced his teammates, making the Lakers even more dangerous.
Bryant continues to do what he has always done for the Lakers, that is find a way to get his side a win, something he has turned into an art-form. Without Bryant, the Lakers would be nothing like the team they are now, and they certainly wouldn’t have won the last two Championships.
What’s more valuable than that?
Rose has been nothing short of inspiration this season, driving his Chicago Bulls side, to the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Playing in the shadow of the greatest player in the history of the sport, Rose has shined, even giving Michael Jordan the confidence to proclaim the Bulls are ready for title success.
In only his third season in the league, Rose has improved his career averages across the board, firmly planting himself at the pinnacle of the NBA’s elite. At the age of just 22, he looks set to become the youngest MVP in history.
The most exciting thing for all NBA fans is that with Rose being so young, his play will only continue to improve in the future. I think it’s a pretty safe bet that he’ll win a few MVP’s over his career.
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