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Not really a bash on them but mostly for historical record keeping purposes...

Who are some players who had a case for MVP, but didn't realistically have a chance of winning it?

I'm not saying they're the worst, but two recent examples

2013 Carmelo Anthony

I think this is probably fueled a lot by the fact that he was on the Knicks so the media drove that narrative, but leading the Knicks too one of its winningest seasons in franchise history, and fulfilling a prophecy for Melo.

Had no realistic shot because everyone knew the Knicks had no chance behind Miami, but Melo definitely had a case.

2017 Isaiah Thomas
29 and 6 while playing through issues in his personal life. The point guard of coaching prodigy Brad Stevens best season yet. And leading a storied franchise like the Celtics. Underdog story as a small guard and the 60th pick.

Had no chance because this was in the middle of the whole Warriors/Cavs ordeal, and Russell Westbrook was having his bonkers 30-10-10 season.

Those are the two off of my head.

Gobert last year is probably up there

PJ Brown and Ty Lawson got mvp votes, so they had a an actual case, but no shot.

didnt joakim noah get serious mvp attention once?

falcolombardi wrote:didnt joakim noah get serious mvp attention once?

He finished fourth or fifth in 2014 I believe.

Some names that standout this century as getting way too many votes: Tony Parker (2012), Peja (2004), Jermaine O'Neal (2004).

14 Joakim
12 Tony
06 Chauncey
04 Jermaine
01 Cwebb
85 Cummings
82 Gus
77 Pistol Pete

Common theme is they were in some of if not the deepest team in the league specially with a loaded defense that led to alot of wins. Besides Pete who was just overrated for flash

Going for Allen Iverson, other guys mentioned had no shot at all

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Are we asking who SHOULD have had a shot if voters actually voted for the best players (so guys like Gobert would count) or who WAS an MVP or top candidate but didn't deserve it?

04 Peja was 4th in voting while being almost exclusively assisted shooter.

Depends on the definition of "having a case".

For example, KG had 120 out of 123 first place votes in 04. So in my opinion he was the only one with a case and Peja and Jermaine didn't have one.

-Luke- wrote:Depends on the definition of "having a case".

This is the crux of it. Depending where you slice this largely decides who the worst player is.

-Luke- wrote:For example, KG had 120 out of 123 first place votes in 04. So in my opinion he was the only one with a case and Peja and Jermaine didn't have one.

I am sympathetic to this view.

But regardless the discussion is probably best advanced by drawing a line somewhere whether it's "a first place ballot" (Kelvin Ransey might be a candidate) or elsewhere so that people are talking about the same thing.