2013-14 MVP Discussion Thread Pt III

[MisterHibachi]

Still don't know how you can say with a straight face LeBron has been more valuable to Miami than Durant has been to OKC. OKC has one more loss in 10 more games without Westbrook than the Heat have in 10 less games without Wade. And throughout that duration of play, their whole entire offense was literally "Save us Durant" and it worked. Plus they beat plenty of quality teams as well. The Rockets, the Spurs and Blazers on a b2b, the Heat, the Warriors, the list goes on.

Don't know how LeBron has been more valuable leading his team in the easier conference, with better circumstances, to a worse record, while putting up worse stats.

What I read from this is you saying that LeBron has no argument in this race.

After LeBron's 61, you said you were arguing against anyone who said this race isn't close. Now a few days later, LeBron has no argument? I don't know if anyone's going to take you seriously if you keep saying that LeBron has no argument because it's clearly not true..

[James Rustles]

Where did I ever say LeBron has no argument? He's not the MVP right now, but there's still time for things to change. No argument implies you are pretty much out of the race.

[Fat]

Durants still in the lead

[MisterHibachi]

Where did I ever say LeBron has no argument? He's not the MVP right now, but there's still time for things to change. No argument implies you are pretty much out of the race.

That's what I got from you saying 'don't know how you can say with a straight face that LeBron's been more valuable'. Doesn't that imply that you think he has no argument..?

[James Rustles]

Where did I ever say LeBron has no argument? He's not the MVP right now, but there's still time for things to change. No argument implies you are pretty much out of the race.

That's what I got from you saying 'don't know how you can say with a straight face that LeBron's been more valuable'. Doesn't that imply that you think he has no argument..?

No argument that he is the MVP as of today? Absolutely.

No argument that he is right behind Durant and can still catch up? Nope.

[MisterHibachi]

Where did I ever say LeBron has no argument? He's not the MVP right now, but there's still time for things to change. No argument implies you are pretty much out of the race.

That's what I got from you saying 'don't know how you can say with a straight face that LeBron's been more valuable'. Doesn't that imply that you think he has no argument..?

No argument that he is the MVP as of today? Absolutely.

No argument that he is right behind Durant and can still catch up? Nope.

Okay.

[James Rustles]

That's what I got from you saying 'don't know how you can say with a straight face that LeBron's been more valuable'. Doesn't that imply that you think he has no argument..?

No argument that he is the MVP as of today? Absolutely.

No argument that he is right behind Durant and can still catch up? Nope.

Okay.

?

Was there anything wrong with what I said?

[KING JAMES1978]

Must say, I'm surprised NBA.com's MVP ladder still has LeBron as #1.

I think if LeBron was doing exactly what Durant was doing right now, he'd be the MVP and in the eyes of the media it wouldn't even be close.

Better stats, better record, tougher conference, no all star teammates, etc.

Lebron has right now 57.7 fg% and Durant has 51.0 fg%.This is huge difference.
Also the MIA and OKC have same number of loses.
Western Conference is tougher but Indiana and Miami are better than any team at West.And this is not for sure a factor.This isn't Indiana's or Miami''s fault.They just play at East.

[KING JAMES1978]

Must say, I'm surprised NBA.com's MVP ladder still has LeBron as #1.

I think if LeBron was doing exactly what Durant was doing right now, he'd be the MVP and in the eyes of the media it wouldn't even be close.

Better stats, better record, tougher conference, no all star teammates, etc.

I must say that you act like if Durant will not be the MVP will be because of the media...Lol
Trust me Media and Voters would prefer to give it at KD because they want rivalry between LBJ and KD.
They would prefer to see LBJ with 4 MVP and KD with 1 MVP than 5-0.

[therealbig3]

I've always thought Durant was the MVP this season, but LeBron has made it really close. He's struggled these last couple of games, but everyone has bad games. LeBron is still statistically a little behind Durant, but it's nothing compared to what it was earlier in the year. I wouldn't be surprised if LeBron is once again the league leader in PER and WS/48 by the end of the year, while leading the league in TS% and having an ORating at least on par with Durant, if not 1 or 2 points higher.

But yes, the narrative of Durant carrying the Thunder without Westbrook in a tougher conference will always be there, and it's a compelling narrative. And there is the fact that he has been the more consistent player than LeBron, and he has been better not just offensively, but defensively as well. It's only recently that LeBron has turned up his defensive effort.

If I had to make a prediction, I'd say Durant will end up winning the award. He deserves it.

[QPR]

Lebron has right now 57.7 fg% and Durant has 51.0 fg%.This is huge difference.

I'll take the extra 5ppg than the extra FG%, especially when LeBron was clearly protecting his FG% earlier in the season.

Durant also hits more threes at a better clip and is a significantly better free throw shooter, two more factors which make the difference in FG% pretty negligent.

[KING JAMES1978]

Lebron has right now 57.7 fg% and Durant has 51.0 fg%.This is huge difference.

I'll take the extra 5ppg than the extra FG%, especially when LeBron was clearly protecting his FG% earlier in the season.

Durant also hits more threes at a better clip and is a significantly better free throw shooter, two more factors which make the difference in FG% pretty negligent.

I'll take the extra FG% because efficiency in sports is the biggest deal.
Also is Durant's problem if he hits more threes like was Kobe's problem if he hit more than MJ for example.
Every player plays the game different.

[MisterHibachi]

Lebron has right now 57.7 fg% and Durant has 51.0 fg%.This is huge difference.

I'll take the extra 5ppg than the extra FG%, especially when LeBron was clearly protecting his FG% earlier in the season.

Durant also hits more threes at a better clip and is a significantly better free throw shooter, two more factors which make the difference in FG% pretty negligent.

So, all round shooting efficiency? LeBron leads in TS%.

[QPR]

Lebron has right now 57.7 fg% and Durant has 51.0 fg%.This is huge difference.

I'll take the extra 5ppg than the extra FG%, especially when LeBron was clearly protecting his FG% earlier in the season.

Durant also hits more threes at a better clip and is a significantly better free throw shooter, two more factors which make the difference in FG% pretty negligent.

I'll take the extra FG% because efficiency in sports is the biggest deal.
Also is Durant's problem if he hits more threes like was Kobe's problem if he hit more than MJ for example.
Every player plays the game different.

I'm not trying to discredit LeBron offensively, I'm pointing out that KD does other things offensively that make up the gap in raw FG% (and TS%).

They are both freakishly efficient scorers.

[ThePersianFreak]

Lebron has right now 57.7 fg% and Durant has 51.0 fg%.This is huge difference.

I'll take the extra 5ppg than the extra FG%, especially when LeBron was clearly protecting his FG% earlier in the season.

Durant also hits more threes at a better clip and is a significantly better free throw shooter, two more factors which make the difference in FG% pretty negligent.

LeBron still has a big lead in TS%. overall LeBron's been more efficien.
Though i'll take Durant's ppg over LeBron's. 5ppg in the cost of 2% dip in TS% is acceptable.
But again, Overall their numbers are so damn close. voters will look at team records more than any stats at this point.

[QPR]

I completely agree, I was just responding to the "LeBron shoots 57% and Durant shoots 51%, that is a huge difference" line, as it really isn't given the types of offensive players they are.

LeBron is the absolute master of getting good, high percentage shots and is a much improved 3PT shooter, whereas KD will go through a game shooting an assortment of leaners, fadeaways, deep threes and contested shots, and he'll still walk away with 50+FG.

[Colbinii]

I completely agree, I was just responding to the "LeBron shoots 57% and Durant shoots 51%, that is a huge difference" line, as it really isn't given the types of offensive players they are.

LeBron is the absolute master of getting good, high percentage shots and is a much improved 3PT shooter, whereas KD will go through a game shooting an assortment of leaners, fadeaways, deep threes and contested shots, and he'll still walk away with 50+FG.

LeBron takes all those shots you just listed every game as well!

[deneem4]

I completely agree, I was just responding to the "LeBron shoots 57% and Durant shoots 51%, that is a huge difference" line, as it really isn't given the types of offensive players they are.

LeBron is the absolute master of getting good, high percentage shots and is a much improved 3PT shooter, whereas KD will go through a game shooting an assortment of leaners, fadeaways, deep threes and contested shots, and he'll still walk away with 50+FG.

LeBron takes all those shots you just listed every game as well!

Efficency difference comes down to 1 thing

Lebron gets to choose his shot and if he don't want to shoot it he have other players on the team that can hit the 3 or midrange automatically...Also have a team full of cutters and slashers

KD have to take those shots...Westbrook just got back but other than that..

[xStanton27]

These last couple losses don't make THAT big an impact as people are making it out to be, OKC and Heat both have 16 losses, still level ground

[_Game7_]

I've always thought Durant was the MVP this season, but LeBron has made it really close. He's struggled these last couple of games, but everyone has bad games. LeBron is still statistically a little behind Durant, but it's nothing compared to what it was earlier in the year. I wouldn't be surprised if LeBron is once again the league leader in PER and WS/48 by the end of the year, while leading the league in TS% and having an ORating at least on par with Durant, if not 1 or 2 points higher.

But yes, the narrative of Durant carrying the Thunder without Westbrook in a tougher conference will always be there, and it's a compelling narrative. And there is the fact that he has been the more consistent player than LeBron, and he has been better not just offensively, but defensively as well. It's only recently that LeBron has turned up his defensive effort.

If I had to make a prediction, I'd say Durant will end up winning the award. He deserves it.

Lebron deserves it too, you can make a pretty good narrative for him as well. This will come down to the last few games.