Definitely the front runner. Not even close, IMO.

Wow, not even close? LeBron's historic season would like a word. Bron and KD are both on a different level but they are both there.

Bron: 26/8/7 with 26-12 record
KD: 29/7/4 with 33-9 record

Edge to KD due to record but it's close depending on how each team finishes.

Lebron
+31.3 EFF
26.3 points per game
8.1 rpg
7.0 apg
1.7 spg
.9 bpg
2.8 topg
2.5 a:to ratio
55.0 FG%
40.0 3PT%
73.4 FT%
38.4 mpg

Durant:
+31.1 EFF
29.5 ppg
7.5 rpg
4.3 apg
1.6 spg
1.2 bpg
3.3 topg
1.3 a:to ratio
51.9 FG%
41.7 3PT%
91.0 FT%
39.7 mpg


Durant is having a ridiculous season with great efficiency. Lebron is having a historic season with astounding efficiency. Lebron is 7th in FG% and the only non-post in the top 18 (Durant is tied with Tony Parker and Thaddeus Young at 19th). Durant is getting a respectable 4.3 assists per game, good for 36th in the league; Lebron is in the top 10. Lebron's assist to turnover ratio is nearly double Durant's. Durant does score more, but Lebron is actually opening up a lead in efficiency per 48 minutes; Durant has dropped to third behind Tim Duncan, but still maintains a comfortable lead on Chris Paul in 4th place.

Bron's FG% is absolutely unreal for a non PF/C.

This will be a fun 2 man race. The other candidates are the ones that aren't even close to Bron and KD.

I think it is a strong 2-person race, and what tips it to KD favor is the better record, especially if they end up 3-5 games better than Miami, and I think voters like to move the award around a little bit, and since KD hasn't won, this is probably his year.



This might have to be the **official thread for OKC** for the year. I also think that OKC and LAC are meeting for the Western Conference championship, but there certainly are other reasonable contenders.

It's a strong two-person race, but I don't like to consider win/loss records for an individual award unless the teams are in completely different tiers. The Heat and Thunder are both in the tier labeled "title contenders", so no advantage on record in my mind. Durant has a better supporting cast, so to me 3-5 wins is not nearly enough to tip the MVP in his favor unless they are dead even statistically. Lebron has a small but clear advantage statistically, so I have to go with him.

That said, I know a lot of voters are looking for the best player on the best team rather than the most valuable player plus not wanting to give yet another MVP to the same guy especially when there is another guy who is having an MVP-worthy season, so I kind of expect Durant to win.

The other thing I forgot to mention that really should put Bron in the lead is his defense. I know KD has made strides this year and to a certain extent LeBron's total def is overrated, but he is much better than KD.

Chris Paul is in the mix, but to say bron isnt close to KD is delusional.

quote:

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The other thing I forgot to mention that really should put Bron in the lead is his defense. I know KD has made strides this year and to a certain extent LeBron's total def is overrated, but he is much better than KD.

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Maybe last year. Watching Miami this year, their defensive effort doesn't look nearly as intense or focused as it was all year long last season. LeBron included.

last night in clutch time, he missed a free throw and threw the ball away with seconds to go!

Can I switch my vote to LBJ?

Stats revisited:

Lebron
+31.9 EFF
+39.88 EFFP48
27.1 points per game
8.1 rpg
6.9 apg
1.6 spg
.9 bpg
2.9 topg
2.4 a:to ratio
56.5 FG%
42.0 3PT%
74.2 FT%
38.4 mpg

Durant:
+30.85 EFF
+38.19 EFFP48
29.0 ppg
7.4 rpg
4.4 apg
1.6 spg
1.2 bpg
3.2 topg
1.4 a:to ratio
51.9 FG%
43.2 3PT%
90.4 FT%
38.8 mpg

Lebron is more deserving by a whisker, but I am really impressed with Durant's growth defensively this year.

Must be the longest whisker ever grown

How is this even an issue? Durant is one of the best, if not the best scorers in the game, but LBJ is the best player and it's not even close.

Durant is the runaway MVP winner... in any season but this one. Lebron shooting 56% & 42% from 3pt land is otherworldly. Can't see how Bron isn't the frontrunner at the moment. Still ~1/3 of the season left to be played though

Yep, Durant deserves the MVP, but not as much as James.

quote:

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Yep, Durant deserves the MVP, but not as much as James.

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+1

Biggest difference IMO is the way Lebron distributes the ball. Durant is improving dramatically at this and may eventually be as good, but he isn't there yet.

Have to remember that he's only been in the league 5 years vs Lebron's 9 though, and if he keeps improving his overall game the way he has been watch out.

Unfortunately for Durant, James keeps getting better every year, too. Durant is closing the gap on assists, but James is closing the gap as a shooter. I've mentioned it before, but Lebron's 3PT% has improved every season but one, and he's comfortably over 40%. James is going to hit the downhill side of his career sooner though.

This is really turning into a nice era for the NBA. James/Durant followed by Steph Curry, Blake Griffin, and Kyrie Irving, with Timmy D and Kobe hanging around at all star caliber of play. Plus, most of those players come across as really decent guys and hardworking players.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 2/17/2013 5:01p).]