Post by heelsguy25 on Feb 1, 2011 0:44:58 GMT -5
The MVP Race is back and this season with a different style. We will update the MVP race watch every so often throughout the season. We may add new players to the mix as the season progresses, but the group we have here seem to be the 5 who will be in final contention come season's end. A new addition to this years watch is the track of how many times a player achieves the award of player of the week or month.
MVP Candidates
Leandro Barbosa PG Detroit Pistons
Kobe Bryant PG Toronto Raptors
Jason Kidd PG Seattle Supersonics
Joe Johnson SG Portland Trailblazers
LeBron James SF Boston Celtics
Leandro Barbosa
06-07 stats: 26.0ppg 8.8apg 2.3spg
career stats (3 seasons): 17.2ppg 6.7apg 2.0spg
MVP awards: 0
Player of the Week: 0
Player of the Month: 0
Barbosa is the newcomer to the MVP race since last season's edition. Barbosa has career numbers that aren't as high as the other candidates, but the MVP is based on current year stats. Barbosa is showing that he deserves to be in this race. He is having a career year in scoring and assists. He may not be at the top of the MVP order, but the honor is still a nice gesture.
Kobe Bryant
06-07 stats: 24.6ppg 6.9rpg 9.3apg 2.6spg
career stats (10 seasons): 24.5ppg 6.3rpg 8.6apg 21spg
MVP awards: 2 (2002, 2004)
Player of the Week: 1
Player of the Month: 0
No surprise that Bryant is amongst these players. As one GM pout it, Kobe is a good basketball player. He sure is. He has upped his career numbers after a stellar start to this one. He saw his name being thrown around in trade rumors in the offseason. He was finally dealt north to cold Toronto. Buzz around the league was that Kobe may not produce at a high level, since the Raptors already had major talent there with Dwyane Wade. He has proven the doubters wrong. Sometimes a change of scenery is good.
Jason Kidd
06-07 stats: 24.3ppg 6.6rpg 9.4apg 2.7spg
career stats (12 seasons): 23.4ppg 6.1rpg 10.8apg 2.4spg
MVP awards: 3 (2000, 2001, 2003)
Player of the Week: 1
Player of the Month: 0
Apart of the blockbuster deal with Kobe, Kidd was sent packing to rainy Seattle. His scoring numbers are up, but his assists numbers have taken a slight hit. He may be more depended on for scoring in Seattle, which is never a bad thing. Kidd was thought by many as the MVP last year, but came up short. This could be his year, since he is an intricate part of the success of the Supersonics.
Joe Johnson
06-07 stats: 32.8ppg 6.6rpg 8.7apg 2.1spg
career stats (5 seasons): 26.0ppg 6.6rpg 5.6apg 2.0spg
MVP awards: 1 (2005)
Player of the Week: 0
Player of the Month: 1
We utter the same words as last season. What can Joe Johnson NOT do. He seems to be half man half incredible. He leads the league so far in scoring and is once again the leader for the MVP trophy. He was a clear cut winner last year. He should be able to repeat, as long as the injury bug doesn't strike. He is the anchor for Portland for sure.
LeBron James
06-07 stats: 25.1ppg 7.8rpg 11.2apg 2.5spg
career stats (3 seasons): 23.8ppg 7.3rpg 7.3apg 1.7spg
MVP awards: 0
Player of the Week: 1
Player of the Month: 0
The experiment of James at PG seems to be paying off in Boston. James' scoring is down slightly, but his assist numbers are through the roof. he leads the league in them to be exact. He may have a better chance at winning the award, since we know guards tend to win MVP. James should be in this conversation for many years to come.
