2013-14 MVP Discussion Thread Pt III

[makaveli_99]

It is almost amazing how that stretch Durant had without Westbrook is getting swept under the rug; people are acting what Durant did was expected and OKC should be held to the same record standards as Miami. OKC was expected to simply tread the water until Russell came back but not only they did better than that, they went on to have the best record in the league, while Durant had one of the all time extended best stretches in NBA history by any player.

How is this race almost even when Lebron doesn't even have stats advantage? After last night's game ppl are acting like KD took back the lead, why didn't he have a lead in the first place? Bcuz of Bron's 61 point game? Please smh[/quote]

exactly my thoughts. Don't think there was anyone, myself included, that thought OKC would be in contention for the #1 seed in the west, let alone the league, knowing that westbrook was going to be out for that long...

[makaveli_99]

Sportsbook wagering odds for 2014 NBA MVP:

Durant: 1.22
Lebron: 4.00

no one else is even offered..

[bondom34]

exactly my thoughts. Don't think there was anyone, myself included, that thought OKC would be in contention for the #1 seed in the west, let alone the league, knowing that westbrook was going to be out for that long...

As a Thunder fan, my hope was they'd be within the top 3 seeds when Russ came back. They were up 1.5 in the one seed if I remember correctly, and still in the running.

[QPR]

All I saw last night was KD stop the bleeding after OKC's poor stretch. The race is still very close and will likely come down to record.

I think "bleeding" is a bit of an exaggeration. They're obviously still adjusting to Westbrook being back and not having their best perimeter defender in Sefolosha.

If bleeding = .500 then that gets you home court in the East.

[James Rustles]

So long as the Heat don't finish WAY ahead of OKC in the standings, Durant should win his first MVP award.

Playing without Westbrook for most of the first half of the season, and then adjusting him back in with two starters down for the second half of the season in the brutal west >>>>>> Playing 20 games without Wade in the East.

If the Heat finish with a better record by 1-2 wins, it shouldn't change anything. Durant has simply been the better/more valuable player this season.

[Jon Connor]

Whats clear is that KD will easily win this year's MVP. What's also clear (even though people wont admit it) is that refs have made KD literally impossible to guard while LeBron has to be intentionally fouled to get a call. Everyone will say I'm just crying but its made a big difference in the MVP race. LeBron breaks nose, no foul. Durant breaks a nail, foul.

[WinisKing]

Its games like these that makes me question whether Lebron is really the best player in the world anymore

[MisterHibachi]

Congrats, KD.

[James Rustles]

Its games like these that makes me question whether Lebron is really the best player in the world anymore

He was the 3rd best player for the Heat tonight. When is the last game Durant was the 3rd best player for OKC?

[NaturalThunder]

19 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 turnovers, 6/13 FG for LeBron tonight and he did absolutely nothing in the 4th in a close game that went down to the wire.

[theokie]

LeBron is the better player, but he takes more nights off and has more "bad" games than Durant. I really think people underestimate Durant's consistency - at least 25 points in 29 straight games is pretty amazing.

[Greatness]

It isn't even close now to me, Durant is the MVP. LeBron just hasn't been his usual self this year.

[Joao Saraiva]

Congrats to KD. LeBron had a spectacular run that ended with that 61 point game. Since then he's been playing OK (very good for almost any other player) but on a race like this you just can't score less than 20 regularly while losing games.

Still there's a finals MVP to win Think about the 5th MVP award next year! Let's go King!

[Joao Saraiva]

KD will win the MVP award. But for the ones saying that LeBron is not anymore the best player in the league, please. He's having a subpar year (still a very good one) but he's been to 3 finals in a row. What did people really expect? At some year he has to play a little worse, coast a little more and have some off nights.

I got a feeling he'll bring it in playoff time. Still not a easy way for the championship, Indiana (it they face each other), finals and (yes I'll say it again) the series vs Brooklyn (if they happen) will not be easy.

Would like to see Brooklyn winning it all I know it doesn't seem likely but that would be a turn of events like I have no memory in the NBA.

[EArl]

Lebron didn't have a great game tonight. Surprised Brooklyn got the win.

Durant needs to win tomorrow with some good numbers.
Durant should win the MVP this year. I don't think lemon has played better than him except that short stun he had where he beat him and the 61 point game.

Also lets leave the who's the best player in the world until after the playoffs are over. Lets see if Lebron was saving it for that.

[QPR]

Congrats, KD.

This has been said about five times now.

As soon as Bron has a big game the race will be "back on" again.

In reality the race should have been over a while ago. LeBron's best ball has been amazing, but he simply hasn't put together the consistent high quality season that Durant has. That he can still average what he has done despite this is just a testament to his greatness, but he's not the MVP this season.

[Joao Saraiva]

Lebron didn't have a great game tonight. Surprised Brooklyn got the win.

Durant needs to win tomorrow with some good numbers.
Durant should win the MVP this year. I don't think lemon has played better than him except that short stun he had where he beat him and the 61 point game.

Also lets leave the who's the best player in the world until after the playoffs are over. Lets see if Lebron was saving it for that.

Not on topic but... you root for Lakers AND Barcelona? What's wrong with you?!

Just kidding man don't take it personally but I usually root against those 2 teams (even if not all the time I rooted for Barcelona when you had Figo and I wanted LAL to win in 2004 because of Karl Malone)

[EArl]

Lebron didn't have a great game tonight. Surprised Brooklyn got the win.

Durant needs to win tomorrow with some good numbers.
Durant should win the MVP this year. I don't think lemon has played better than him except that short stun he had where he beat him and the 61 point game.

Also lets leave the who's the best player in the world until after the playoffs are over. Lets see if Lebron was saving it for that.

Not on topic but... you root for Lakers AND Barcelona? What's wrong with you?!

Just kidding man don't take it personally but I usually root against those 2 teams (even if not all the time I rooted for Barcelona when you had Figo and I wanted LAL to win in 2004 because of Karl Malone)

Dad is from Barcelona and i'm an LA native.

[NaturalThunder]

All I saw last night was KD stop the bleeding after OKC's poor stretch. The race is still very close and will likely come down to record.

In that poor 7 game stretch for OKC when they went 3-4 and had a some bad losses, Durant still averaged 33-7-7 on 50% FG and 61% TS.

In this 5 game stretch, where the Heat are 1-4, LeBron is averaging 20-7-6 on 45% FG and 51% TS

[MisterHibachi]

All I saw last night was KD stop the bleeding after OKC's poor stretch. The race is still very close and will likely come down to record.

In that poor 7 game stretch for OKC when they went 3-4 and had a some bad losses, Durant still averaged 33-7-7 on 50% FG and 61% TS.

In this 5 game stretch, where the Heat are 1-4, LeBron is averaging 20-7-6 on 45% FG and 51% TS

So does that mean KD's play isn't the main reason for OKC's wins? I mean if he's playing well and they're still losing, it must be something else driving them right? On the other hand, the Heat go as LeBron goes...

A 3-4 record, regardless of individual play, isn't anything to be using when trying to argue for MVP. KD has better arguments than a 3-4 stretch.