2013-14 MVP Discussion Thread Pt II

[Hero]

LBJ playing a bit better lately but it looks like too little too late. The Heat would have to go on a tear for him to win this. It's KD's to lose for sure.

[heatlespeatles]

KDs narrative will likely save him from the guaranteed LeBron domination that is about to happen.

And yes LeBron is still the best player in the league. I don't care what KD did in January

[NaturalThunder]

KDs narrative will likely save him from the guaranteed LeBron domination that is about to happen.

Well that, and legitimately outplaying LeBron the first three months of the season, capping it off with a blowout win at Miami without Westbrook while going for 33-7-5, and continuing to play at an extremely high level himself. Yes, the narrative will go a long way, but Durant has other "non feel god story" things in his corner, too.

[kingkirk]

KDs narrative will likely save him from the guaranteed LeBron domination that is about to happen.

And yes LeBron is still the best player in the league. I don't care what KD did in January

KD's narrative is that he is playing the best basketball out of anyone on this planet bar none.

That's a good narrative to have.

[PaulieWal]

KDs narrative will likely save him from the guaranteed LeBron domination that is about to happen.

Well that, and legitimately outplaying LeBron the first three months of the season

I don't think he legitimately outplayed him the first three months. The first two months both were pretty neck and neck and remember KD had a mediocre stretch (by his standards of course) where he wasn't shooting the ball too well after Westbrook's return and LeBron was shooting 61/48 up until end of November. It was really the stretch after Russ went out again that KD went on a tear and started putting up monster stat lines.

I am not saying LeBron is the MVP right now, for me it is KD but don't think that KD was outplaying him right from the start of the season.

[NaturalThunder]

KDs narrative will likely save him from the guaranteed LeBron domination that is about to happen.

Well that, and legitimately outplaying LeBron the first three months of the season

I don't think he legitimately outplayed him the first three months. The first two months both were pretty neck and neck and remember KD had a mediocre stretch (by his standards of course) where he wasn't shooting the ball too well after Westbrook's return and LeBron was shooting 61/48 up until end of November. It was really the stretch after Russ went out again that KD went on a tear and started putting up monster stat lines.

I am not saying LeBron is the MVP right now, for me it is KD but don't think that KD was outplaying him right from the start of the season.

Fair enough and I can agree with that. However, taking the totality of their seasons through January, I think Durant was fairly clearly the best player in the NBA this season at that specific point. Obviously it can and likely will change as Durant will settle into being more "human" where he might average something like 28-7-6 over the next few weeks while LeBron averages 29-8-7. However, I think Durant may have built such a big lead in the race with his remarkable January that it'll take something pretty drastic for LeBron to not only get back in the race but win another MVP.

And yes, the whole narrative thing definitely helps Durant out right now -- being 40-11 and having the best record in a tough Western Conference despite not having Westbrook for 25 of 51 games is really helping his case. However, this shouldn't turn into one of those "well, it was all about the narrative" MVP campaigns if Durant does indeed go on to win the MVP; not with the way he's played this year because he's been way, WAY too good to have this possible MVP devalued by something like that. I mean his 2012-2013 season on a 60 win, 1st place team probably would've won him MVP in a number of previous seasons and he's been even better this year.

[PaulieWal]

Well that, and legitimately outplaying LeBron the first three months of the season

I don't think he legitimately outplayed him the first three months. The first two months both were pretty neck and neck and remember KD had a mediocre stretch (by his standards of course) where he wasn't shooting the ball too well after Westbrook's return and LeBron was shooting 61/48 up until end of November. It was really the stretch after Russ went out again that KD went on a tear and started putting up monster stat lines.

I am not saying LeBron is the MVP right now, for me it is KD but don't think that KD was outplaying him right from the start of the season.

Fair enough and I can agree with that. However, taking the totality of their seasons through January, I think Durant was fairly clearly the best player in the NBA this season at that specific point. Obviously it can and likely will change as Durant will settle into being more "human" where he might average something like 28-7-6 over the next few weeks while LeBron averages 29-8-7. However, I think Durant may have built such a big lead in the race with his remarkable January that it'll take something pretty drastic for LeBron to not only get back in the race but win another MVP.

And yes, the whole narrative thing definitely helps Durant out right now -- being 40-11 and having the best record in a tough Western Conference despite not having Westbrook for 25 of 51 games is really helping his case. However, this shouldn't turn into one of those "well, it was all about the narrative" MVP campaigns if Durant does indeed go on to win the MVP; not with the way he's played this year because he's been way, WAY too good to have this possible MVP devalued by something like that. I mean his 2012-2013 season on a 60 win, 1st place team probably would've won him MVP in a number of previous seasons and he's been even better this year.

All very fair points and don't disagree on anything. It's his to lose and he has been the best player this season (still think LeBron is the best overall) especially after Russ went down. I don't see KD losing unless he goes in a complete shooting slump (and loses some of the gaudy shooting percentages and such) the last couple of months and LeBron starts putting up an efficient 28/9/9 or something crazy. KD has fully earned this one and the gap between him and LeBron is as close as ever. I can't wait to see what these guys do in the playoffs and hopefully we can get a rematch in the Finals.

[heatlespeatles]

KDs narrative will likely save him from the guaranteed LeBron domination that is about to happen.

And yes LeBron is still the best player in the league. I don't care what KD did in January

KD's narrative is that he is playing the best basketball out of anyone on this planet bar none.

That's a good narrative to have.

His narrative Is that Westbrook isn't there and he stepped his game up to compensate for Westbrooks absence

Kd had a hot shooting month, and that's it. Westbrook being there is the highlight of his season.

LeBron could dominate here on out as usual and still lose because of that narrative, same narrative Rose had with the Bulls

[heatlespeatles]

KDs narrative will likely save him from the guaranteed LeBron domination that is about to happen.

Well that, and legitimately outplaying LeBron the first three months of the season, capping it off with a blowout win at Miami without Westbrook while going for 33-7-5, and continuing to play at an extremely high level himself. Yes, the narrative will go a long way, but Durant has other "non feel god story" things in his corner, too.

He did not, he outplayed him in the month of January. While LeBron was coasting since the season started. Still playing well but not truly locked in, he might be locked in now but it doesn't matter. KD doesn't have Russ and is winning, had an amazing shoot streak in January which all helps his case

[IG2]

We can talk about individual play all we want, but unless OKC start losing some games, LeBron's not coming any closer. And given how many damn things OKC does at an elite level on the basketball court(unlike Miami), it's very unlikely they hit a prolonged slump and end up with an inferior record. LeBron has no shot at MVP if Miami doesn't have a better record than OKC.

[heatlespeatles]

Well that, and legitimately outplaying LeBron the first three months of the season, capping it off with a blowout win at Miami without Westbrook while going for 33-7-5, and continuing to play at an extremely high level himself. Yes, the narrative will go a long way, but Durant has other "non feel god story" things in his corner, too.

He did not, he outplayed him in the month of January. While LeBron was coasting since the season started. Still playing well but not truly locked in, he might be locked in now but it doesn't matter. KD doesn't have Russ and is winning, had an amazing shoot streak in January which all helps his case

Well, Lebron did not outplay Durant until the month of February last season, but we still chalk it up as outplaying him the entire year when it's said and done. Just as KD has outplayed Lebron to this point this year.

And enough of this coasting talk. It's disrespectful to the fact that Durant is putting up a level of production that Lebron has rarely matched and may have never eclipsed. His WS/48 would go down as #2 in history behind Kareem's legendary 71/72 season if the season ended today, if that gives you a measure of what kind of show we're seeing from him.

No disrespect to KD but LeBrons all around game has always been better than Kd which is why he has won his past mvps. Kd also played with a healthy Westbrook who was dominant himself, so Kd was never required to be an all around player. But that is what LeBron naturally is, irrespective of who is or isn't injured.

I watch every heat game, they coast. LeBron coasts, it's not an excuse, it's facts. They've been to 3 straight finals, it is what it is


End of the day, Kd is putting up these numbers because he has to. Because Russell isnt there and he has to be Great for them to win. It helps that Ibaka especially has been awesome but KDs improvement of his all around game in the absence of Russell is what has him in the lead. If Russell was playing I don't think KD would be leading the MVP race, and even if, only by a little


LeBron has been great this year also, and I expect he will close out this year with his usual dominance, he usually picks up his game after the all star break. You can already tell by his recent play.

Like I said KDs narrative is perfect for his mvp case, guy carries his team after his star point guard gets injured. Goes on a crazy hot streak in January, unless he falls off the map or LeBron goes into some unusual God mode, I don't see him losing

And yes his narrative helps, because if wade was injured and LeBron was averaging triple doubles and leading his team to victories in desperation mode. LeBron would have the narrative also. Kd does and his sense of urgency was heightened when RW went down, so he's been great. LeBron simply never had to go into that gear this season

[heatlespeatles]

We can talk about individual play all we want, but unless OKC start losing some games, LeBron's not coming any closer. And given how many damn things OKC does at an elite level on the basketball court(unlike Miami), it's very unlikely they hit a prolonged slump and end up with an inferior record. LeBron has no shot at MVP if Miami doesn't have a better record than OKC.

lol we will see how "elite" they are in the playoffs lol let me know how much "unlike Miami" it is

[QPR]

And yes his narrative helps, because if wade was injured and LeBron was averaging triple doubles and leading his team to victories in desperation mode. LeBron would have the narrative also. Kd does and his sense of urgency was heightened when RW went down, so he's been great. LeBron simply never had to go into that gear this season

Wade was injured, and Miami struggled to stay at .500 without him, which just enhances KD's case.

[Dupas]

If lebron wanted , he would get the mvp. But why waste that much energy in RL when you are going for threepeat? The lack of respect ppl gave lebron in this mounth was really out of line. Its pure hate. Still the best player in the league by far.

[Joao Saraiva]

I think LeBron will make it more interesting. Enough to win? Idk.

After the game vs OKC LeBron has monster averages. Raised his PPG, APG, RPG, SPG and BPG. If you put side by side LeBron's and Durant's numbers in every night (they both played on the same 3 nights) you'll see that LeBron's numbers are better everyday. If OKC loses some games and the King keeps this up, it might become interesting. Still Durant's MVP to lose though.

[QPR]

If lebron wanted , he would get the mvp. But why waste that much energy in RL when you are going for threepeat? The lack of respect ppl gave lebron in this mounth was really out of line. Its pure hate. Still the best player in the league by far.

Your first line is a complete lack of respect to Durant, who is putting together one of the all time great seasons.

The fact that people still think LeBron can win this award is a testament to his greatness. No need to make out like KD is only ahead because LeBron can't be bothered.

[LBJ-ITALY]

If lebron wanted , he would get the mvp. But why waste that much energy in RL when you are going for threepeat? The lack of respect ppl gave lebron in this mounth was really out of line. Its pure hate. Still the best player in the league by far.

Your first line is a complete lack of respect to Durant, who is putting together one of the all time great seasons.

The fact that people still think LeBron can win this award is a testament to his greatness. No need to make out like KD is only ahead because LeBron can't be bothered.

loll one month and even an all time great month doesnt make KD a better player than LBJ! said this KD does deserve the MVP this season, but don't forget that the first 2months of the this season LBJ was a head of Durant, then Westbrook got hurt and this helped a lot Durant to have a great month of basketball!

[QPR]

I don't think LeBron has ever been ahead of Durant in the race this season. At best they may have been neck and neck.

But nevertheless, I'm not sure why people keep bringing up the fact that "LeBron is still the better player". Who cares? He hasn't been the better player this season which is all that is relevant.

[deneem4]

Lebron isn't the better player...He's the more develop...Lebron is in his prime...KD isn't yet...

Lebron supporting cast is also Wayyy better than kd...

Westbrook or wade
ibaka or bosh
Jackson or cole
Lamb or Allen
Fisher or chalmers
Perkins or haslem
Collins or birdman
Adams or Oden
sefolosha or battier
Perry jones or beasley

[Thundestruck]

What drives me crazy is KD is doing exactly what Lebron did to win so many MVPs. It is not that he is scoring at an all-time efficient rate, its his all around game. With Lebron it wasn't that he dominated in one aspect of the game it was that he was so much better than his MVP competition in just about every category. He filled up a box score like no other. Now KD has done that all season long and people (mostly Heat fans) say it was just one hot shooting month, Lebron is coasting or KD really isn't outplaying Lebron it is all narrative.

Lebron has better shooting and assists numbers. KD is shooting better from 3, FT and averaging more rebounds, steals, blocks, less turnovers, has a higher PER and Win share. Oh and his team has the best record in a much, much tougher conference.

How exactly is he not out playing Lebron? That is too take nothing away from Lebron. The guy is having a fantastic season, he just isn't the best basketball player in the world right now. It is not the KD is scoring better than Lebron. He is doing a lot of things better right now.