2013-14 MVP Discussion Thread Pt II

Antrim · Post #1041 » by **Antrim** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:12 am

Durant is such an amazing player. Legendary. He'll go down as one of the best. I was feeling bad for him in the first half getting smoked because he truly has been the best player in this regular season and he absolutely deserves the MVP no matter what happened tonight (and I know that the media can easily make it a tied race again even though it shouldn't be) ...

...but then the free throws kept on coming. Very, very weird free throws that no other player in the league would have gotten, but he regularly gets. And the guy in the other team gets a broken nose and doesn't even go to the line.

I just can't root for him. And it's not really his fault.

Jon Connor · Post #1042 » by **Jon Connor** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:20 am

Seems like the perfect storm is coming. LeBron is hitting his playoff prep zone, just thoroughly outplayed KD, and Westbrook is back to take the ball out of KD's hands a little more.

Mikey111690 · Post #1043 » by **Mikey111690** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:21 am

The thing that sucks for Durant is that we're past the NFL season now and all eyes are on the NBA. This was a highly anticipated game and on national television and Durant was embarrassed by LeBron in this game, especially in the 1st quarter. This game shouldn't impact the MVP race in such a huge way, but it likely will for the reasons I stated above.

Greatness · Post #1044 » by **Greatness** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:24 am

Where's Fallacy aka Mr. 'LeBron should just retire"

LBJ-ITALY · Post #1045 » by **LBJ-ITALY** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:26 am

Mikey111690 wrote:The thing that sucks for Durant is that we're past the NFL season now and all eyes are on the NBA. This was a highly anticipated game and on national television and Durant was embarrassed by LeBron in this game, especially in the 1st quarter. This game shouldn't impact the MVP race in such a huge way, but it likely will for the reasons I stated above.

And Lebron didn't even play the last 6 minutes of the last quarter

Post #1046 » by **PaulieWal** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:30 am

LeBron is still the best in the game. This is no knock against KD but when LeBron is locked in and playing like he is the last month or so he takes it to another level. KD did play the first half of the season like the best player in the game and still I believe he has closed the gap on LeBron but he (LeBron) is still quite comfortably the best in the game. You can't discount the 3 Finals trips + the Olympics, I understand him preserving himself in the first half of the season.

As for the MVP, KD is still my MVP and deserves it but there are 25+ or so games left. If KD's numbers drop off with Russ and LeBron keeps on playing like this to finish the season it could be close. Anyway, LeBron beasting in the post made me very happy. He will need to go there in the playoffs. Just like KD can't be guarded as an offensive player, LeBron can't be guarded either when he is going to the post with such ease.

RSCD3_ · Post #1047 » by **RSCD3_** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:30 am

There was a play where durant shot a 3 pt and cole stood straight at the 3 pt linr not even moving and durant got the call by leaning into him

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mawan041 · Post #1048 » by **mawan041** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:34 am

NaturalThunder wrote:Unfortunately only one thing could happen for Durant to lose the pretty considerable margin he had built in the MVP race...and it's happening tonight. He's playing terribly, LeBron is going off, and Miami is beating the Thunder into submission. I personally don't think this one game should erase all the amazing things over the 30 games or so without Westbrook, leading the Thunder to the best record in the NBA, but I'm afraid it will. Now that football season is completely over, all eyes are on this game and the media's attention from here on out will be on the NBA for the most part.

With that said, this is pretty hard to stomach as someone who's gone from a semi-casual OKC fan about 6-7 years to progressively becoming a diehard OKC fan every year since; and, as a result, Durant has become my favorite player. So having to sit here and stomach the very possible reality that Durant really is just always going to be "2nd best" behind LeBron makes me want to get hammered, curl up in the fetal position, and sleep for a week straight. It sucks. It really, really, really sucks. I thought there was no way Durant could lose the MVP this year, this was finally his year, but this game is going to firmly thrust LeBron back to the forefront of the NBA race.

And maybe I'm just overreacting, and maybe I'm too caught up in the heat of the moment, but it's still a miserable feeling.

I con honestly say that this is a very RESPECTABLE Post. However, I do disagree, Durant is a phenomenal player and he most certainly will get rid of that "#2" tag. It's only a matter of time until he takes the reigns as the best player from LeBron.

LeBron himself is quoted as saying that KD is "next in line", he constantly gushes over KD and offers tremendous respect to him. Some people here try to turn that into LeBron somehow being "insecure" or "arrogant" which makes ZERO SENSE. How is one player praising another and offering great respect being "arrogant" ???

In my personal opinion, KD still has the lead in the MVP. The race is getting a lot more tighter though. LeBron has absolutely turned it up a notch and is coming strong for that award.

Still a long way to go, as a Basketball Fan, this is very fun to watch. When was the last time we had a MVP race go down to the wire ??

If LeBron and Durant continue to play great, this race will go down to the wire.

MaliBrah · Post #1049 » by **MaliBrah** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:37 am

Antrim wrote:Durant is such an amazing player. Legendary. He'll go down as one of the best. I was feeling bad for him in the first half getting smoked because he truly has been the best player in this regular season and he absolutely deserves the MVP no matter what happened tonight (and I know that the media can easily make it a tied race again even though it shouldn't be) ...

...but then the free throws kept on coming. Very, very weird free throws that no other player in the league would have gotten, but he regularly gets. And the guy in the other team gets a broken nose and doesn't even go to the line.

I just can't root for him. And it's not really his fault.

I actually still like durant. One of my fav players to watch but its becoming pathetic now. He literally played 3 straight quarters today trying to flail everytime he put the ball down and draw freethrows , he wasn't even interested in actually shooting the ball. Ugly to watch. Then he came out and had a more respectful 4th by actually trying to shoot/score the ball.

EArl · Post #1050 » by **EArl** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:34 am

Any news on lebrons nose? Is he going to have to wear a mask?

fallacy · Post #1051 » by **fallacy** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:42 am

Greatness wrote:Where's Fallacy aka Mr. 'LeBron should just retire"

I don't think I said that but I wish he did

Run DLC · Post #1052 » by **Run DLC** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:43 am

It's been decided and over with. Durant will win his first MVP. LeBron usually ends the season strong in the second half just in time for the playoffs, but it won't be enough to take the lead over Durant. I'm fine with Durant winning it, and hope that's the only thing he wins this season.

MisterHibachi · Post #1053 » by **MisterHibachi** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:44 am

EArl wrote:Any news on lebrons nose? Is he going to have to wear a mask?

He's gonna be evaluated when the team gets to Miami. For now, they're saying its a swollen nose. We should have more news tmrw sometime.

Greatness · Post #1054 » by **Greatness** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:52 am

fallacy wrote:
Greatness wrote:Where's Fallacy aka Mr. 'LeBron should just retire"

I don't think I said that but I wish he did

fallacy wrote:
bbms wrote:
orangeparka wrote:Slim Reaper coming for LeBron's soul next?

Hopefully that'll knock some sense into him.

Win that Westbrook-less would be a dream scenario for Durant's aspirations.

If the thunder beat the heat in miami without westbrook lebron should retire after the game due to embarrassment

Post #1055 » by **PaulieWal** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:57 am

Run DLC wrote:It's been decided and over with. Durant will win his first MVP. LeBron usually ends the season strong in the second half just in time for the playoffs, but it won't be enough to take the lead over Durant. I'm fine with Durant winning it, and hope that's the only thing he wins this season.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. This isn't like last season that where LeBron had the MVP wrapped up after his February. Don't get me wrong KD is still in the lead and will *probably* win it but if his numbers tail off because of RW's return and LeBron maintains this level of play along with Miami overtaking Indy for #1 seed in the East it will be really interesting.

fallacy · Post #1056 » by **fallacy** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:20 am

Greatness wrote:
fallacy wrote:
Greatness wrote:Where's Fallacy aka Mr. 'LeBron should just retire"

I don't think I said that but I wish he did

fallacy wrote:
bbms wrote:
Win that Westbrook-less would be a dream scenario for Durant's aspirations.

If the thunder beat the heat in miami without westbrook lebron should retire after the game due to embarrassment

oh yeah

Wish he would've listened

Keller61 · Post #1057 » by **Keller61** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:29 am

NaturalThunder wrote:Unfortunately only one thing could happen for Durant to lose the pretty considerable margin he had built in the MVP race...and it's happening tonight. He's playing terribly, LeBron is going off, and Miami is beating the Thunder into submission. I personally don't think this one game should erase all the amazing things over the 30 games or so without Westbrook, leading the Thunder to the best record in the NBA, but I'm afraid it will. Now that football season is completely over, all eyes are on this game and the media's attention from here on out will be on the NBA for the most part.

With that said, this is pretty hard to stomach as someone who's gone from a semi-casual OKC fan about 6-7 years to progressively becoming a diehard OKC fan every year since; and, as a result, Durant has become my favorite player. So having to sit here and stomach the very possible reality that Durant really is just always going to be "2nd best" behind LeBron makes me want to get hammered, curl up in the fetal position, and sleep for a week straight. It sucks. It really, really, really sucks. I thought there was no way Durant could lose the MVP this year, this was finally his year, but this game is going to firmly thrust LeBron back to the forefront of the NBA race.

And maybe I'm just overreacting, and maybe I'm too caught up in the heat of the moment, but it's still a miserable feeling.

My favorite player has been out for 2 years with knee injuries. I think you've still got it pretty good.

Run DLC · Post #1058 » by **Run DLC** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:30 am

PaulieWal wrote:
Run DLC wrote:It's been decided and over with. Durant will win his first MVP. LeBron usually ends the season strong in the second half just in time for the playoffs, but it won't be enough to take the lead over Durant. I'm fine with Durant winning it, and hope that's the only thing he wins this season.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. This isn't like last season that where LeBron had the MVP wrapped up after his February. Don't get me wrong KD is still in the lead and will *probably* win it but if his numbers tail off because of RW's return and LeBron maintains this level of play along with Miami overtaking Indy for #1 seed in the East it will be really interesting.

I don't think so. The league/media have been desperate to shove Durant down everyone's throats as the "white knight"/ face of the NBA, Durant is in a great position to win it and has a chance to push their agenda even further by winning a title this year(which i hope and pray won't happen). The only way LeBron can turn this whole thing around is if he were to average a triple-double in each of the rest of the remaining games while also the Heat taking the #1 spot in the East, but that won't happen.

Durant for regular MVP
LeBron for finals MVP and ring #3.

36Mafia · Post #1059 » by **36Mafia** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:48 am

Well this is awkward. I guess the best player in the world just showed the world hes the best player in the world.... still. MVP LEBRON

KyletheDingbat · Post #1060 » by **KyletheDingbat** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 7:21 am

Really amazing how one game changes people's minds. Wasn't it just a few weeks ago the Thunder won on Miami's floor and Durant outplayed Lebron? So they're 1 and 1 on the season. Lebron will have to play otherworldly the rest of the way to make a legit case against Durant.

One thing I will say is that Lebron has a much more engaging and fun personality. How can you not like him? I'll admit there have been plenty of times I've rooted against him, but then as the game/series goes on, I can't help but root for him. Just seems like a cool, old soul. Durant on the other hand seems like basketball's answer to the Rain Man. Magic/Bird 2.0.

Last thing: Lebron's broken nose play was unbelievably tough. Who else in NBA history makes that play? Prime Amare, I think... Mailman maybe?