NBA MVP Race Heats Up

With the NBA Lockout taking away sixteen regular season games, players have had to battle through fatigue and jet lag more than any other season has required. Games are played literally every night and each team has had to face a back to back to back stretch of three games in three nights. Older guys like Ray Allen and (at the beginning of the season) Dirk Nowitzki appear to be slowing down a little and really struggling to keep up with the younger talent night in and night out. Yet there are some players who, regardless of the condensed schedule, have stood out above the rest. Here’s a look at the four guys I think are the most legitimate candidates for this year’s MVP.

1. LeBron James

Man does it pain me to put him at number one, but you can’t argue against LeBron’s numbers. I don’t like the guy as a person, but you can’t hate the man’s game. His physicality has helped him drop 27 points a game and grab nearly 9 boards a game. The Heat are currently three games back in the East and LeBron has been a huge part of that. He may not always come up big in the clutch, but when the guy is averaging 27, 9 and 7, you can’t really find a reason not to see him as this year’s MVP.

2. Kevin Durant

The rising star that has wasted no time in taking over the NBA has shown that he has every right to be the Most Valuable Player. Durant has been one of the most reliable closers in the game and has had performances at the age of 23 that some players never have in their entire careers. KD has averaged 28 points and 9 rebounds while leading the Thunder to a 34-11 record. Much like LeBron, Durant has another star on his team that some may say will keep him from winning the MVP. However, when the kid from the University of Texas has won two consecutive scoring titles and I see no reason why he can’t win a third. The only bonus to this year’s scoring title is that he just might have an MVP trophy to go with it.

3. Kobe Bryant

With the career stats that Kobe has, it blows my mind that he only has one MVP to call his own. Yet amidst all the talk of “Kobe’s getting old” or “Kobe’s finally breaking down”, Bryant has proved that he’s not done yet. On a team that has suffered through too much drama this season after losing Phil Jackson, Lamar Odom, and Derek Fisher, Kobe has been left to shoulder about 75% of the team’s scoring with Pau Gasol being his only other consistent option. Out of these four players, Kobe Bryant IS the most valuable to his team. However it would seem that lately the award has turned in to the Most Outstanding. I think that after all the Kobe has endured this season while still managing to be one of the most feared athletes in sports, he deserves the MVP. Sadly, I think he might fall short.

4. Derrick Rose

The reigning MVP has had another electric year, but sadly has faced too many injuries. I’m afraid that since he’s missed about 15 games that he doesn’t have much of a chance to keep the crown. Along with that, the Bulls have the best record in the league and continue to win without Rose on the court, so some may argue how valuable he really is. With all that being said, Rose has continually made eye-widening shots and jaw-dropping passes. Chicago’s poster child has averaged 23 points to coincide with 8 assists per game. Arguably the best point guard in the league, Derrick Rose no doubt belongs in the MVP race, but frequent absences will most likely keep him from defending his title.