Americans who have a chance at MVP

[durantbird]

If you had to try and bet on an American winning the MVP in the upcoming years, like maybe 5-8 years, who would you choose? Suppose Tatum and Ant are out of the question

[LukaTheGOAT]

Cooper Flagg, Darryn Peterson

Lesser odds: Zion (health, team quality, longevity), AJ Dybansta (Big doubt because of feel but out of respect for mainstream)

[Tim_Hardawayy]

Just leaving this post as a placeholder so I can look like nostradamus in 2 years, or be totally forgotten, but Tyler Herro (I do legitimately think he has Curry-esque potential as a shooter and with the right narrative who knows).

[tsherkin]

Just leaving this post as a placeholder so I can look like nostradamus in 2 years, or be totally forgotten, but Tyler Herro (I do legitimately think he has Curry-esque potential as a shooter and with the right narrative who knows).

Herro's already in his sixth season, and has shown not even the first inclination of shooting anything like Curry. Not sure why you'd look at him as having that kind of potential this late in his career. He isn't even remotely close in volume or efficiency from 3, and is only now vaguely average at the rim. He has nothing like Steph's impact on an offense, and clearly isn't the same caliber of shooter.

[Laimbeer]

Why is Tatum out of the question? If he's really good for a long time on a team that wins multiple titles, he could get a lifetime achievement type of MVP.

I think Flagg has a shot, but things have to fall right in terms of which team he's on. Peterson isn't the #1 recruit in his class, but I admit to knowing nothing of him.

[parsnips33]

Say Trae Young goes to a new team, immediately improves their offense significantly and they elevate to a 60+ win team. Leads the league in assists and averages like 27+ in points.

Obviously a bit of a longshot, but that seems like one potential path for a non-Tatum or Ant American who's currently in the league

[picko]

Why is Tatum out of the question? If he's really good for a long time on a team that wins multiple titles, he could get a lifetime achievement type of MVP.

Tatum's already been overlooked despite being the best player on clearly the best team last season. Last season he finished 6th in the MVP voting despite having a great season and the Celtics finishing 7 games ahead of everyone else. I feel like two decades ago he gets MVP under those circumstances pretty easily, but the approach to casting MVP votes has changed.

So that seems like a big hurdle to overcome. Voters just don't see him as an MVP caliber guy. Fans don't either. That said, narratives aren't set in stone and I could see a situation where the Celtics go back-to-back and suddenly Tatum is viewed as the ultimate teammate and two-way superstar who is incredibly valuable even without the gaudy statistics of some of his peers.

I wouldn't say that's a likely scenario. I think it would also require Tatum having a season considerably better than we've seen from him. But it's possible.

[Elpolo_14]

The closet to the MVP as American RIGHT NOW is Jayson Tatum : he's the best player in one of the best team in the last 10 years ( not counting the superteam Warrior ). He an elite all around guy :
# On offense he able to drive to the basket / make midrange shoot / make 3 pointer at a high volume great efficiency - he able to play on the post and use mismatch against small defender to drive in or he can create separation for a tough midrange. Also he can play the role of an offball guy to fit with anyone as he great as Catch-shoot and he good on the cut/slashing. He's a willing passer he able the bring th ball up court and being the faciliter of the team ( he also a good playmaker due to his Scoring ability + versatility )
# On defense he an athletic defender with great movement + balance on/off the ball. He make quick read to switch or go help double ( he's somewhat physical and doesn't gamble for steal to much ). Also he can be an help for the interior if a guard or wings is driving to the basket.These thread are valuable in any style of defense.

So overall he's the closet guy to MVP. Also right now he's the best American player

[durantbird]

Why is Tatum out of the question? If he's really good for a long time on a team that wins multiple titles, he could get a lifetime achievement type of MVP.

I think Flagg has a shot, but things have to fall right in terms of which team he's on. Peterson isn't the #1 recruit in his class, but I admit to knowing nothing of him.

I didn't say he's out of the question. On the contrary, I thought he and Ant are the only two obvious answers

[durantbird]

The closet to the MVP as American RIGHT NOW is Jayson Tatum : he's the best player in one of the best team in the last 10 years ( not counting the superteam Warrior ). He an elite all around guy :
# On offense he able to drive to the basket / make midrange shoot / make 3 pointer at a high volume great efficiency - he able to play on the post and use mismatch against small defender to drive in or he can create separation for a tough midrange. Also he can play the role of an offball guy to fit with anyone as he great as Catch-shoot and he good on the cut/slashing. He's a willing passer he able the bring th ball up court and being the faciliter of the team ( he also a good playmaker due to his Scoring ability + versatility )
# On defense he an athletic defender with great movement + balance on/off the ball. He make quick read to switch or go help double ( he's somewhat physical and doesn't gamble for steal to much ). Also he can be an help for the interior if a guard or wings is driving to the basket.These thread are valuable in any style of defense.

So overall he's the closet guy to MVP. Also right now he's the best American player

Yeah obviously that's why I excluded him

[LukaTheGOAT]

Say Trae Young goes to a new team, immediately improves their offense significantly and they elevate to a 60+ win team. Leads the league in assists and averages like 27+ in points.

Obviously a bit of a longshot, but that seems like one potential path for a non-Tatum or Ant American who's currently in the league

Following the same path as his idol, Steve Nash,eh? If he could regain his scoring competency from 20-22, that would be really helpful and probably a prerequisite.

[eminence]

Warriors keep up the Jimmy pace next season. Steph gets #3.

[Special_Puppy]

Dark Horses: Hali, Chet, and Amen

[parsnips33]

Dark Horses: Hali, Chet, and Amen

Chet would probably need to do it on a different team though right? I like the other picks

[Jurassic_Park]

Just leaving this post as a placeholder so I can look like nostradamus in 2 years, or be totally forgotten, but Tyler Herro (I do legitimately think he has Curry-esque potential as a shooter and with the right narrative who knows).

Lebron has a better chance of curing cancer than herro does of winning mvp.

[sp6r=underrated]

Since the trade is on my mind, the only conspiracy about that trade that hits me as plausible is that Nico has an unconscious bias against non-American players and really wants a roster full of American players.

Not sure if I believe it but it is the only conspiracy theory type view of the trade that has any foothold in my mind.

[LukaTheGOAT]

Cooper Flagg, Darryn Peterson

Lesser odds: Zion (health, team quality, longevity), AJ Dybansta (Big doubt because of feel but out of respect for mainstream)

Apologies for forgetting. Cam Boozer should be ahead of anyone here mentioned except for maybe Flagg and Peterson.

[bigboi]

Tatum is better than Luka lmao.
Dybantsa will win an mvp eventually as well. After Jokic and Giannis retire. Mvp is completely up for grabs