2018 MVP Prediction Discussion

[ProfessorJM]

I think that it would be incredibly short sighted to attempt to predict what type of season Antetokounmpo will have this year. No reasonable NBA observer would have predicted any of his seasons to date at the start of training camp. He has out performed expectations every year. He has improved his performance in every major statistic every year that he has been in the NBA. He has demonstrated the ability to improve at a pace that defies comparisons with normal NBA players.

I was surprised early last year when Jason Kidd said that the Giannis was a once in a generation talent like Jordan and Magic who we should appreciate while we can. I thought that was hyperbole, but by the end of the year he was playing like one of the top players in the NBA at 22.

Based on his unprecedented improvement to date, no one should be surprised if Antetokounmpo has a breakout season and receives serious consideration for MVP. That is certainly more likely than his success last year, when no one predicted that he would be 2nd team All-NBA.

I agree to an extent. I think's foolish to try and gauge (at least make an overly confident prediction) a very unique talent with prior cases that are more in line with normal progressions. For one, he didn't grow up in the United States, and he also is clearly still deficient in areas that could drastically improve and yet he is already showing dominance. (three point shooting being one example) There is a lot of precedent for improvement in shooting with many players, even though it is true others have not fared so well. (say Jason Kidd versus Ricky Rubio) I also have a gut feeling that his mental toughness will be much better than current superstars today in Durant/LeBron, although right now I do not think Giannis will ever be as great as these two players either. Especially LeBron, he's a very unique multi-generational talent to me.

I saw him step up in the playoffs and saw him win 2nd team All-NBA (deserved) and then I realized he could barely drink, so I am curious what happens next. I mean Kawhi at 22 averaged I think like 13 points a game.

[spicy6]

Westbrook won't be able to ball hog and chuck up shots now that Paul George is on the team.

If (I guess when) Kyrie gets traded, it'll make for a nice storyline for LeBron to be MVP candidate again. LeBron will be able to prove he can still carry a team by himself even without Kyrie.

Kawhi will always be an MVP candidate. His defense is always there, but his offense will keep improving which is scary.

KD is great, but now that Steph spent a season warming up to him and also coming off a knee injury, I expect Steph Curry to return to his "normal" crazy shooting percentages.

Last season was a transition year for the Warriors, and I expect Steph to have ungodly three point percentages again, which is scary because other teams still have to guard Klay and KD and even the bench guys like McCaw, Young and Casspi.

That said, KD will also have a great year, so Curry probably won't get as much MVP votes because the Warriors success will be a team effort.

Harden won't put up as much crazy stats now that he has to share the ball with CP3.

All in all, I expect Kawhi or LeBron to be top two in MVP voting, with Steph going back up in the rankings and even Giannis making some noise in the East.


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Ya 10 apg with a lack of shooters and a team that would be competing for the worst record without him definetely a ball hog

[Michael Lucky]

With Harden and CP3 on the same team and now George with Westbrook, i think it makes Kawhi the heavy favorite.

[LoveMyRaps]

If Kyrie gets traded, I fully expect LeBron to win the MVP award.

[Cavsfansince84]

If Kyrie gets traded, I fully expect LeBron to win the MVP award.

I see it as being between LeBron, KD and Kahwi. KD I would make the slight favorite due to GS likely winning around 68 games and KD putting up a really efficient season. On the other side Durant may get penalized for playing with Curry and Green. If the Cavs can win close to 60 it would help LeBron's candidacy a lot but I doubt they will. Kahwi might actually be the favorite if he continues to improve.

[inquisitive]

KD and Curry might not ever win it again unless one of them goes down with an injury for a long period of time during the course of a season

[1993Playoffs]

KD and Curry might not ever win it again unless one of them goes down with an injury for a long period of time during the course of a season

especially curry

[Gil]

It'll be Kawhi. The media & fans have been practically willing him to win for the last 3 years now.

[Dupp]

Don't underestimate how much the media will want to give it to KD after his finals. Kawhi should be heavy favourite though.

[lilswift01]

I don't think KD should be MVP. GS literally went on a 14 game win streak when he went down.

[Harry Garris]

I think Russ repeats. The Thunder will be a significantly better team record wise with PG there, and I think that his numbers won't drop off much at all.

[lolathon234]

ESPN's summer forecast has Durant as a decisive favorite going into the season and the guys that vote on that are the same ones that actually vote on the MVP.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20274992/2017-summer-forecast-most-valuable-player

So Durant is clearly the frontrunner going into the season

[mihail_petkov]

Really don't like what LeBron and Durant did for NBA. Durant is favorite to win MVP? Really? Joining a 73 win team while not being even the best and most impactful player on the floor for Warriors... Really At least LeBron had most impact for Heat in 2012 and 2013...

[lilswift01]

Greek Freak has a great chance. Weak conference and if they surprise and get first seed, he will get serious consideration. And unlike harden, wesbrook and steph, he's a monster on both ends.

[INKtastic]

If Kyrie gets traded, I fully expect LeBron to win the MVP award.

Kyrie is going to make a serious run at MVP this year.

[JordansBulls]

If Kyrie gets traded, I fully expect LeBron to win the MVP award.

Kyrie is going to make a serious run at MVP this year.

Especially if the C's get the #1 seed again.

[Pennebaker]

I think it's going to be LeBron.

The Cavs are probably going to win 60+ games and the #1 seed because 1) LeBron is coming off a loss and feels like he's being threatened and criticized (more motivated) and 2) the Cavs defense and bench improved significantly on the wing with the additions of Jae Crowder and Jeff Green and then 3) The Cavs actually improved at PG with Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose and Jose Calderon versus Kyrie Irving, Deron Williams and Kay Felder.

So it's going to be between LeBron and Leonard, and I don't think the Spurs are going to have a better record than the Warriors. Durant, Curry, Harden and CP3 are all pre-disqualified.

[Pennebaker]

If Kyrie gets traded, I fully expect LeBron to win the MVP award.

Kyrie is going to make a serious run at MVP this year.

Riiiight. In a brand new offense which demands ball movement, Kyrie Irving is supposed to thrive and dominate for a full 82! I think it's highly unlikely.

Think about it this way: Do you think LeBron and the Cavs, knowing who Kyrie is, would've agreed to send Irving to the Celtics if they thought there was any chance in hell of Kyrie winning MVP in Brad Steven's system? No.

[ItsThatEasy]

Assuming he went to the Suns or the Knicks he wasn't going to have a real shot, but now he's on a high seed playoff team as the #1 offensive option with a narrative behind him.

[Impuniti]