Who looks like the early candidate to end the season with the NBA MVP award? HNGN's sports writers weigh in.
Cal-
Man, how I wish I could say Derrick Rose. He seems like a genuinely good dude who just can't seem to stay healthy - though that's got to be hard to do with the weight of the entire city of Chicago resting ever so gently on your back.
But, since it's starting to seem like Rose is a delicate China doll destined to smash against the floorboards on any given play on any given night, I'm going to go ahead and ride with diminutive-for-the-NBA, Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul, instead.
Right now, CP3's averaging 16 points, 5.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists a game. He's got elite efficiency, he's been NBA All-Defensive 1st team three years running and he basically dominated every other point guard in the league last season.
As long as he's got Blake Griffin to dish to, Paul's going to have a heck of a year - an MVP worthy year - pushing the Clips up and down the court.
Jordan-
This is the first time in a while I can remember the MVP race being so open. LeBron is struggling in Cleveland, and Durant is sidelined with an injury. I'd like to see Blake Griffin win it, but I think it's going to end up going to LeBron - as much as I don't want to say it. Cleveland is still getting used to playing together, and they're going to turn it around. Despite Cleveland's early troubles of figuring out each player's role on the team, LeBron is still putting up crazy numbers - 24.8 points, 6.7 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Cleveland will iron out their kinks, and everything will flow through LeBron. His numbers will be even higher by the All-Star break, and he's going to carry the Cavaliers' defense.
Thomas-
My prediction for the NBA MVP during the 2014-2015 season is Anthony Davis. After his All-Star year last season, during which he averaged 20.8 points, 10 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, the New Orleans Pelicans' power forward is off to a roaring start in 2014. Through seven games he's averaging 24.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game and shows no signs of slowing down. The Pelicans also have him surrounded with a number of solid players, such as Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Ryan Anderson and Omer Asik, so there's not too much pressure on the 21-year-old to carry the load. If they can manage to make the playoffs in the Western Conference, there's no doubt at all he'll be named MVP.
Brandon-
These days, your team has to make the playoffs for you to be considered in the MVP conversation. Individual success doesn't mean anything if the team folds completely. It's not like you'd give anyone involved in "The Lone Ranger" an Academy Award, am I right?
Davis absolutely has the talent to be an MVP finalist this season. But will his team have enough wins? The New Orleans Pelicans are 4-3 right now. When healthy, this is a talented albeit odd-fitting team. But they sit at No. 7 in the packed Western Conference right now and it's not like the L.A. Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder will be bad all season. I'm definitely worried about the Pelicans as a whole.
But, individually Davis is a monster. He's leading the league in rebounds (12.9), blocks (4.43) and overall player efficiency rating (35.33) right now. He's tied for third in the NBA in scoring at 25 points per game. He may singlehandedly transform the unibrow into a highly coveted fashion trend.
If the aliens from "Space Jam" landed on Earth tomorrow and challenged us to a basketball game for our freedom, you'd at least have to discuss Davis as the first overall pick over LeBron James. If the Pelicans can play well around Davis, than this will be the official Year of the Brow.
