MVP Discussion [19/20] [part II] - voting opened

[scrabbarista]

The poll would be more interesting at the moment if we could pick five guys.

[Je K]

The poll would be more interesting at the moment if we could pick five guys.

Even two would be better. Doesn't really show how the new guys on the list stack up when there's a clear frontrunner.

[scrabbarista]

The poll would be more interesting at the moment if we could pick five guys.

Even two would be better. Doesn't really show how the new guys on the list stack up when there's a clear frontrunner.

Also, for the life of me I can't understand why it doesn't include the option to change your mind. Does the poll creator not know the option is available? My vote was still stuck on Karl-Anthony Towns for like six weeks after I wanted to change it.

[RB34]

31/19/9 in 31 mins for the MVP!

[SeniorWalker]

Can someone who regularly watches HOU games explain to me why Harden cannot play well simultaneously with Russ? I mean, the answer is somewhat obvious but all great players usually can find some way to coexist with other great players.

If Harden is going to play like doo doo in the PS, this will be the last year of Moreyball. (I'll bet anyone $50 now that it likely already is after the China fiasco. The league is quietly looking for any reason to can him).

[Inklink]

Raps bench needs a bench to play against these trash Bulls.

[GSP]

Can someone who regularly watches HOU games explain to me why Harden cannot play well simultaneously with Russ? I mean, the answer is somewhat obvious but all great players usually can find some way to coexist with other great players.

If Harden is going to play like doo doo in the PS, this will be the last year of Moreyball. (I'll bet anyone $50 now that it likely already is after the China fiasco. The league is quietly looking for any reason to can him).

Theyre 2 of the highest usage onball players ever. They both dominate the ball to a historic degrees and hold onto it alot during possessions. Both are bad or at best mediocre off the ball players too

[SeniorWalker]

Can someone who regularly watches HOU games explain to me why Harden cannot play well simultaneously with Russ? I mean, the answer is somewhat obvious but all great players usually can find some way to coexist with other great players.

If Harden is going to play like doo doo in the PS, this will be the last year of Moreyball. (I'll bet anyone $50 now that it likely already is after the China fiasco. The league is quietly looking for any reason to can him).

Theyre 2 of the highest usage onball players ever. They both dominate the ball to a historic degrees and hold onto it alot during possessions. Both are bad or at best mediocre off the ball players too

I figured as much but out of respect for their talent thought they could do better. I don't see why Russ can't move and cut. Harden has never really been a guy to move without the ball though, shouldn't be surprised.

And by the same token I wouldn't be surprised if they're a 1st round out this year. They do match up well with the Clippers though, so at least they have that going for them.

[The Lazy Potato]

Another typical Giannis night, 30/19/9 with elite defense.

[Perseus1966]

Another typical Giannis night, 30/19/9 with elite defense.

You forgot the screams ,how many times he screamed? (Scrabbarista will tell us soon)

[Nightfall]

Can someone who regularly watches HOU games explain to me why Harden cannot play well simultaneously with Russ? .....

[scrabbarista]

Can someone who regularly watches HOU games explain to me why Harden cannot play well simultaneously with Russ? I mean, the answer is somewhat obvious but all great players usually can find some way to coexist with other great players.

If Harden is going to play like doo doo in the PS, this will be the last year of Moreyball. (I'll bet anyone $50 now that it likely already is after the China fiasco. The league is quietly looking for any reason to can him).

Theyre 2 of the highest usage onball players ever. They both dominate the ball to a historic degrees and hold onto it alot during possessions. Both are bad or at best mediocre off the ball players too

I figured as much but out of respect for their talent thought they could do better. I don't see why Russ can't move and cut. Harden has never really been a guy to move without the ball though, shouldn't be surprised.

And by the same token I wouldn't be surprised if they're a 1st round out this year. They do match up well with the Clippers though, so at least they have that going for them.

I've probably watched 80% of Rockets games this season. A lot of it may have to do with them just not being healthy at the same time. Russ missed training camp because he had a couple of surgeries over the summer and had to deal with dislocated fingers for the first month or two of the season. Then Harden, who is much more opaque in never admitting to injury, was clearly hobbled through January. In the post-game interview yesterday when asked about how he turned things around he said, "Just getting healthy" - that nasty knee collision he endured (with Zion) notwithstanding.

Basically, they're still getting started in figuring out what each other can do, because they've each been limited by health factors so far this season.

This team is very, very much in flux still. Their apparent eagerness to trade Capela represents a willingness to try D'Antoni's pet strategy of 100% small minutes at all five positions for all 48 minutes. I think it's a dumb approach - there's a reason no one has done it since 1963 - but they are 3-0 (technically, 2-0) so far when using it, and I have to admit that if there were ever an era in which the rules would support such an approach, it'd be exactly this season. I also admire D'Antoni's commitment to his radical strategy, even if I think it's not a good strategy.

[scrabbarista]

Another typical Giannis night, 30/19/9 with elite defense.

You forgot the screams ,how many times he screamed? (Scrabbarista will tell us soon)

Missed the game, sorry.

[SeniorWalker]

Can someone who regularly watches HOU games explain to me why Harden cannot play well simultaneously with Russ? .....

I know the reality is more nuanced than this but still got an easy chuckle out of me.

[bondom34]

Theyre 2 of the highest usage onball players ever. They both dominate the ball to a historic degrees and hold onto it alot during possessions. Both are bad or at best mediocre off the ball players too

I figured as much but out of respect for their talent thought they could do better. I don't see why Russ can't move and cut. Harden has never really been a guy to move without the ball though, shouldn't be surprised.

And by the same token I wouldn't be surprised if they're a 1st round out this year. They do match up well with the Clippers though, so at least they have that going for them.

I've probably watched 80% of Rockets games this season. A lot of it may have to do with them just not being healthy at the same time. Russ missed training camp because he had a couple of surgeries over the summer and had to deal with dislocated fingers for the first month or two of the season. Then Harden, who is much more opaque in never admitting to injury, was clearly hobbled through January. In the post-game interview yesterday when asked about how he turned things around he said, "Just getting healthy" - that nasty knee collision he endured (with Zion) notwithstanding.

Basically, they're still getting started in figuring out what each other can do, because they've each been limited by health factors so far this season.

This team is very, very much in flux still. Their apparent eagerness to trade Capela represents a willingness to try D'Antoni's pet strategy of 100% small minutes at all five positions for all 48 minutes. I think it's a dumb approach - there's a reason no one has done it since 1963 - but they are 3-0 (technically, 2-0) so far when using it, and I have to admit that if there were ever an era in which the rules would support such an approach, it'd be exactly this season. I also admire D'Antoni's commitment to his radical strategy, even if I think it's not a good strategy.

Yeah this is pretty accurate. It hasn't been a "2 ball dominant guards can't play together" issue. Westbrook didn't play 5 on 5 all offseason after surgery, and when he got right they played December together very well. Then January Harden went cold. Now Harden seems a bit more back on track.

[The Lazy Potato]

Giannis Antetokoumpo over 45 games has averaged 30/13/6/1/1 on 60.8 TS% in only 30.7 MPG. Has he already locked in his second straight MVP?

Its mind blowing to see the numbers he has been putting up in basically 3 quarters a night. The Bucks have consistently been the best team in the NBA this season so far being led by Giannis, and with a 42-7 record are on pace to win 70 GAMES, easily secure the 1st seed in the east, and likely lock in home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Meanwhile Giannis himself has been dominating, putting up a career high in PTS and a career best 31.6% from 3 on 5.0 3PA.

IMO Harden has almost completely shot himself out of the MVP race with his play as of late, Lebron has been great but with AD playing next to him I don't think he'll receive it either. Mavs wont win enough for Luka to get any real attention and the only other player I can think of is Jokic, but as great as he has been it still doesn't compare to the numbers and impact Giannis has had.

So has the Greek Freak already locked in back to back MVPs? It seems to be a one man race headed into the ASG but anything can happen I suppose.

Obviously barring injury I think thats a given when discussing awards or any playoff matchups in the middle of the season.

[MrPerfect1]

Another typical Giannis night, 30/19/9 with elite defense.

He would be more valuable if he played an additional 5 mins so that they Bucks could win by 30+ instead of 25+

[antonac]

It's Antetokounmpo for me, he has absolutely no holes in his case.

Lebron and AD are playing next to each other and you can't really say who has been better, and they haven't won as much.

Doncic has a few too many missed games now, mavs haven't won enough, also, and I say this as a massive Doncic fan, I think perhaps he needs to learn to when to defer a bit more. Peek doncic will have less impressive numbers while being more impactful imo.

Harden has had some truly diabolical games lately, also, the MVP does still go to a vote, and even if the people voting will try and be partisan his play style is going to lose him some support.

Jokic has played himself into contention and for me has locked up the all nba center spot again, but the nuggets aren't dominating like the bucks, his early season slow start should probably count against him a bit considering Giannis has been hot from game 1.

I just can't see any reason you'd say any of those guys has had a better season than giannis.

[mediocrityrules]

I’d love Lillard to keep it up to keep the mvp conversation interesting at least.


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[Infinite Llamas]

It's Antetokounmpo for me, he has absolutely no holes in his case.

Lebron and AD are playing next to each other and you can't really say who has been better, and they haven't won as much.

Doncic has a few too many missed games now, mavs haven't won enough, also, and I say this as a massive Doncic fan, I think perhaps he needs to learn to when to defer a bit more. Peek doncic will have less impressive numbers while being more impactful imo.

Harden has had some truly diabolical games lately, also, the MVP does still go to a vote, and even if the people voting will try and be partisan his play style is going to lose him some support.

Jokic has played himself into contention and for me has locked up the all nba center spot again, but the nuggets aren't dominating like the bucks, his early season slow start should probably count against him a bit considering Giannis has been hot from game 1.

I just can't see any reason you'd say any of those guys has had a better season than giannis.

Well, take away Giannis 2nd best,3rd best and 4th best player and he’d have to deal with what Jokic is dealing with right now. In case people don’t know, it’s hard to win when three starters go down.

Giannis has a couple of things that make his case not so airtight. The team plays just as good when he isn’t on the court...his free throws are pathetic...his rebounding is so clearly boosted by Brook Lopez being a boss boxer-outer. The Bucks have hardly played any games against the top teams in the East.

Denver is 4 games back from LA Lakers. I’ve said this a ton of times but I’ll say it again. If Denver wins 60+ and get the beat record in the west, Jokic will win mvp because he has less help than anyone right now.