2013-14 MVP Discussion Thread Pt II

[MisterHibachi]

LeBron on top of nba.com's MVP rankings.

[EscapoTHB]

I do think Westbrook coming back, and the Thunder struggling to re-integrate him might be an obstacle for Durant as MVP. Particularly if the Thunder go on a losing streak. You could see Durant's numbers come down AND the team falling behind the Heat. Which would open the door considerably for Lebron and his 5th MVP.

[Keller61]

Considering the season as a whole so far, I think Durant is clearly still in the lead. He lead his team to win after win without Westbrook, and got his team to the best record in the NBA. LeBron was taking it easy at times earlier this year and let some games slip that they probably should have won. I think he needs to get the #1 seed in the east to pull even in the race, unless Durant has a slump and the Thunder lose their #1 seed.

[Antrim]

Considering the season as a whole so far, I think Durant is clearly still in the lead. He lead his team to win after win without Westbrook, and got his team to the best record in the NBA. LeBron was taking it easy at times earlier this year and let some games slip that they probably should have won. I think he needs to get the #1 seed in the east to pull even in the race, unless Durant has a slump and the Thunder lose their #1 seed.

He's not.

Look up two posts above yours.

It doesn't matter what you think or what most of RealGM thinks. Media and voters change their minds quickly based on drama and last night's game was the perfect storm against Durant's MVP chances, with LeBron's broken nose being the icing on the cake.

[Jared_Farver]

So long as the Heat have a worse record than OKC and don't have the 1st seed in a pitiful East, Lebron shouldn't be MVP over Durant and the 1st placed OKC.

OKC have the best record in the league right.

KD is still in front despite a Heat win against them with Lebron playing great.

The Heat are 1.5 games back from the best record in the NBA. Imo this race is a serious toss up and it's a tie between LBJ-Durant. While i mostly agree with what you said about the MVP going to the person on the team with the better record (that's been the narrative for the MVP award over the years) we still shouldn't sleep over the fact that LeBron clearly out played Durant last night in the biggest game of the season for both players

I'm just wondering, but why was last night's game more important than their first meeting?

[Hero]

So long as the Heat have a worse record than OKC and don't have the 1st seed in a pitiful East, Lebron shouldn't be MVP over Durant and the 1st placed OKC.

OKC have the best record in the league right.

KD is still in front despite a Heat win against them with Lebron playing great.

The Heat are 1.5 games back from the best record in the NBA. Imo this race is a serious toss up and it's a tie between LBJ-Durant. While i mostly agree with what you said about the MVP going to the person on the team with the better record (that's been the narrative for the MVP award over the years) we still shouldn't sleep over the fact that LeBron clearly out played Durant last night in the biggest game of the season for both players

I'm just wondering, but why was last night's game more important than their first meeting?

Most recent meeting, post all star break, post superbowl. Just the way it is.

[Benedict_Boozer]

LeBron on top of nba.com's MVP rankings.

Amazing how quickly the narrative is being flipped in the media.

It might come down to win/loss record, straight up.

[kingkirk]

So long as the Heat have a worse record than OKC and don't have the 1st seed in a pitiful East, Lebron shouldn't be MVP over Durant and the 1st placed OKC.

OKC have the best record in the league right.

KD is still in front despite a Heat win against them with Lebron playing great.

Winning percentage vs the superior west.

Thunder vs the West 26-8....0.765%
Heat vs the West 17-4....0.810%

Thunder vs the East 17-5....0.773%
Heat vs the East 22-10....0.686%

I could care less what the Heat have done against the West, just like i could care less where the Thunder have got their wins. The total number is more important, and to date, Miami have lost more games and don't have as many Ws.

It's fairly simple for me. If the Heat overtake the Pacers and get the 1st seed out East whilst also being level or overtaking the Thunder out West, Lebron will take the lead.

So long as Durant and the Thunder sit on top of the league, a place he go to without Westbrook, he will be in the lead.

[kingkirk]

Durant is still the favorite to win the MVP.Lebron is the best player in the game.Lebron to be closer at the MVP race has also to put the Heat in the #1 spot of the East.

This guy get's it.

[Heat3]

So long as the Heat have a worse record than OKC and don't have the 1st seed in a pitiful East, Lebron shouldn't be MVP over Durant and the 1st placed OKC.

OKC have the best record in the league right.

KD is still in front despite a Heat win against them with Lebron playing great.

Winning percentage vs the superior west.

Thunder vs the West 26-8....0.765%
Heat vs the West 17-4....0.810%

Thunder vs the East 17-5....0.773%
Heat vs the East 22-10....0.686%

I could care less what the Heat have done against the West, just like i could care less where the Thunder have got their wins. The total number is more important, and to date, Miami have lost more games and don't have as many Ws.

It's fairly simple for me. If the Heat overtake the Pacers and get the 1st seed out East whilst also being level or overtaking the Thunder out West, Lebron will take the lead.

So long as Durant and the Thunder sit on top of the league, a place he go to without Westbrook, he will be in the lead.

So only total number of wins matters to you after making a point about Miami's record in the East? Uh huh...

[kingkirk]

So only total number of wins matters to you after making a point about Miami's record in the East? Uh huh...

Total numbers matter, and whilst playing in a weaker conference, i would expect the Heat to have the greater record. They don't. Similarly, playing in a tougher conference without Westbrook, i would expect the Thunder to have a lesser record.

The reverse has occurred, mainly with Durant having one of the best months of basketball in the last 10 years, and that is why he is #1 on the leader board imo.

The Heat have been great in the West, but they haven't owned the East, and that is what is holding Lebron back in 2nd for me in this award at this point.

As i said, if they turn that around, knock off Indiana and go past OKC, Lebron goes to the lead.

I don't think that is such a controversial opinion.

[rich316]

The Heat have been great in the West, but they haven't owned the East, and that is what is holding Lebron back in 2nd for me in this award at this point.

As i said, if they turn that around, knock off Indiana and go past OKC, Lebron goes to the lead.

I don't think that is such a controversial opinion.

More so than any other MVP race I can remember, this is just gonna come down to record. It will be interesting to see how that affects how Lebron and KD play in the last few weeks of the season - I would assume that if seedings were relatively set, then Lebron especially would take it easy before the playoffs and gather strength. We will probably see both guys going hard into the last game of the season.

That said, I can't believe that Lebron has somehow clawed back into this, but I guess I shouldn't be shocked. If he can get the best record and play like the best player in the world, he probably gets it in a close one. Durant will be right there, though. I suspect some media members have already made up their minds in favor of KD, so Lebron will probably have to win over everybody who hasn't already arrived at a decision.

[ardee]

Durant has got this. 35-8-6 on 65% TS over the last 27 games.

One game does not negate this. Narrative is ridiculous.

[James Rustles]

Durant has got this. 35-8-6 on 65% TS over the last 27 games.

One game does not negate this. Narrative is ridiculous.

Yup. Durant is putting up better numbers than LeBron and leading his team to a better record despite playing against a tougher SOS and despite being without Westbrook for over half of the season.

Surprised to see NBA.com put LeBron as the leader in the MVP race, but it literally means nothing as there is zero case for LeBron as the MVP right now.

[ThePersianFreak]

Stop fooling yourselves, IT IS CLOSE, wether you like it or not.
It's not like last year when LeBron completely outplayed KD and rest of the league. LeBron and KD are having similar numbers (slight edge for Durant) but the past few weeks LeBron has been better. LeBron completely owned KD in their last H2H match-up and is playing god-tier basketball right now. if LeBron continue to play better the rest of the way and Miami have a better record than OKC, LeBron will get it.

[ardee]

Stop fooling yourselves, IT IS CLOSE, wether you like it or not.
It's not like last year when LeBron completely outplayed KD and rest of the league. LeBron and KD are having similar numbers (slight edge for Durant) but the past few weeks LeBron has been better. LeBron completely owned KD in their last H2H match-up and is playing god-tier basketball right now. if LeBron continue to play better the rest of the way and Miami have a better record than OKC, LeBron will get it.

Slight edge to Durant statistically? Seriously? He blows LeBron out in every conceivable metric for the season.

And for the last few weeks: let's call it the month of Feb:

LeBron: 30.8/8.6/7.0 on 63.3% TS.
Durant: 32.5/8.3/6.9 on 58.8% TS.

Their statistical production over the period is more or less even, edge to Durant for raw stats and LeBron for efficiency.

Then compare that to January....

LeBron: 27.5/6.5/5.9 on 63.6% TS.
Durant: 35.1/6.1/6.1 on 68.5% TS.

So what exactly is your point? Sure LeBron had a good game against the Thunder yesterday but KD absolutely smoked the Heat the last time they played before that.

This is Durant and it's not close for now. LeBron will need to play at the level he has for the past two weeks for the rest of the season to draw even, and if Durant has another January-like run then it's over anyway.

[James Rustles]

Stop fooling yourselves, IT IS CLOSE, wether you like it or not.
It's not like last year when LeBron completely outplayed KD and rest of the league. LeBron and KD are having similar numbers (slight edge for Durant) but the past few weeks LeBron has been better. LeBron completely owned KD in their last H2H match-up and is playing god-tier basketball right now. if LeBron continue to play better the rest of the way and Miami have a better record than OKC, LeBron will get it.

Slight edge to Durant statistically? Seriously? He blows LeBron out in every conceivable metric for the season.

And for the last few weeks: let's call it the month of Feb:

LeBron: 30.8/8.6/7.0 on 63.3% TS.
Durant: 32.5/8.3/6.9 on 58.8% TS.

Their statistical production over the period is more or less even, edge to Durant for raw stats and LeBron for efficiency.

Then compare that to January....

LeBron: 27.5/6.5/5.9 on 63.6% TS.
Durant: 35.1/6.1/6.1 on 68.5% TS.

So what exactly is your point? Sure LeBron had a good game against the Thunder yesterday but KD absolutely smoked the Heat the last time they played before that.

This is Durant and it's not close for now. LeBron will need to play at the level he has for the past two weeks for the rest of the season to draw even, and if Durant has another January-like run then it's over anyway.

Agreed. It's Durant and it's not even close right now. If the season ends with Durant having better numbers and the better record and LeBron wins the MVP they need to change who votes on the award from the media to players and coaches.

[ThePersianFreak]

Stop fooling yourselves, IT IS CLOSE, wether you like it or not.
It's not like last year when LeBron completely outplayed KD and rest of the league. LeBron and KD are having similar numbers (slight edge for Durant) but the past few weeks LeBron has been better. LeBron completely owned KD in their last H2H match-up and is playing god-tier basketball right now. if LeBron continue to play better the rest of the way and Miami have a better record than OKC, LeBron will get it.

Slight edge to Durant statistically? Seriously? He blows LeBron out in every conceivable metric for the season.

And for the last few weeks: let's call it the month of Feb:

LeBron: 30.8/8.6/7.0 on 63.3% TS.
Durant: 32.5/8.3/6.9 on 58.8% TS.

Their statistical production over the period is more or less even, edge to Durant for raw stats and LeBron for efficiency.

Then compare that to January....

LeBron: 27.5/6.5/5.9 on 63.6% TS.
Durant: 35.1/6.1/6.1 on 68.5% TS.

So what exactly is your point? Sure LeBron had a good game against the Thunder yesterday but KD absolutely smoked the Heat the last time they played before that.

This is Durant and it's not close for now. LeBron will need to play at the level he has for the past two weeks for the rest of the season to draw even, and if Durant has another January-like run then it's over anyway.

He blows out LeBron?! no, just no!
Their stats are similar with slight edge to Durant.
And about their H2H match-up, in their first meeting LeBron played a great game, but last night KD got owned by LeBron and that's the difference my friend. yeah it was a very very very bad game for Durant. He got smoked by LeBron in a very bad way/time.
Again, wether you like it or not, IT IS CLOSE, VERY CLOSE.
I know you don't like LeBron, and are thinking about KD' monster month in january and probably thinking people should not forget what he's done the whole year, but it is what it is, almost all of the media guys think it's a tie at this point of the season.

[James Rustles]

LeBron got half of his points last game while Perkins was in the game. Once Perkins came out a lot of things changed.

And in regards to last night

KD had 28/8/3 with 5 TO, 22 shots

LeBron had 33/7/3 with 8 TO, 22 shots

So using that lone game to say Durant doesn't have a big lead in the MVP race really doesn't make sense. Not only is it just 1 out of 82 games, but Durant and OKC went into Miami without Westbrook and beat down the Heat so so those two games cancel eachother out if anything.

[ardee]

Stop fooling yourselves, IT IS CLOSE, wether you like it or not.
It's not like last year when LeBron completely outplayed KD and rest of the league. LeBron and KD are having similar numbers (slight edge for Durant) but the past few weeks LeBron has been better. LeBron completely owned KD in their last H2H match-up and is playing god-tier basketball right now. if LeBron continue to play better the rest of the way and Miami have a better record than OKC, LeBron will get it.

Slight edge to Durant statistically? Seriously? He blows LeBron out in every conceivable metric for the season.

And for the last few weeks: let's call it the month of Feb:

LeBron: 30.8/8.6/7.0 on 63.3% TS.
Durant: 32.5/8.3/6.9 on 58.8% TS.

Their statistical production over the period is more or less even, edge to Durant for raw stats and LeBron for efficiency.

Then compare that to January....

LeBron: 27.5/6.5/5.9 on 63.6% TS.
Durant: 35.1/6.1/6.1 on 68.5% TS.

So what exactly is your point? Sure LeBron had a good game against the Thunder yesterday but KD absolutely smoked the Heat the last time they played before that.

This is Durant and it's not close for now. LeBron will need to play at the level he has for the past two weeks for the rest of the season to draw even, and if Durant has another January-like run then it's over anyway.

He blows out LeBron?! no, just no!
Their stats are similar with slight edge to Durant.
And about their H2H match-up, in their first meeting LeBron played a great game, but last night KD got owned by LeBron and that's the difference my friend. yeah it was a very very very bad game for Durant. He got smoked by LeBron in a very bad way/time.
Again, wether you like it or not, IT IS CLOSE, VERY CLOSE.
I know you don't like LeBron, and are thinking about KD' monster month in january and probably thinking people should not forget what he's done the whole year, but it is what it is, almost all of the media guys think it's a tie at this point of the season.

He does blow out LeBron statistically.

31.4/7.8/5.5 vs. 26.9/7.0/6.9
30.7 PER vs. 29.4 PER
.315 WS/48 vs. .267 WS/48 (HUMONGOUS)
+5.3 On/Off vs. +2.1 On/Off

And I do like LeBron. I think 2013 is one of the five best seasons anyone has ever had in history, and he was also the league's best player in 2009, 2010 and 2012.

I'm just being objective here, KD has outproduced LeBron like crazy and he has more success with a worse bunch of teammates for most of the season.

But going by your username it's probably pointless to have this discussion