2019-2020 Player of the Year Discussion Thread

[ardee]

It's well past the halfway mark so might as well have this thread. Mods, can this be stickied?

My thoughts so far:

1. Giannis: Probably the most dominant no. 1 season since arguably 2013 LeBron. Unbelievable numbers on an 11 SRS team and he's doing it in 30.9 minutes per game

2. LeBron: Issues with scoring yes but he's taken to the full-time PG role like a fish to water. It's also his best defensive season in years and he's clearly the driving force on the best team in the West.

3. Kawhi
4. Davis: It's a pick 'em between these two IMO. Both are showing why they have the defensive reputations they do when the offensive load is taken off them some. I just find Kawhi to be able to be more assertive offensively than Davis when needed so he gets the nod. Both have missed some time so that's not a factor.

5. Doncic: Dude is leading the GOAT offense, what more is there to say?

6. Lillard: Might be a bit of recency bias but it's hard not to put him this high with the load he's carrying.

7. Harden: Again, recency bias, but he's been rough for a while now, for the last month he's at 37% from the field and 28% from 3. He'd be top 3 otherwise.

8. Jokic: Rough start but played himself into shape and is now even better than last year IMO.

9. Jimmy: Excellent on both ends and best player on arguably THE dark horse contender team in the entire league.

10. Westbrook: Homer pick but he's been on fire in 2020 ever since he stopped taking 3s. Hopefully the open lane keeps helping him and he ascends the list.

Gobert is also in the mix and could easily replace anyone from the 8-10 spots.

[70sFan]

I'd probably have Jokic over Doncic, although I can be biased. Mavs are extremely good even without Luka, so I'm not sure how much credit I can give him. He also got back to only amazing level after GOAT start of the season.
I'd have Gobert over Westbrook, but Westy has been playing very well recently.

My list (could be rough, I just made it):

1. Giannis
2, Kawhi
3. James
4. Jokic
5. Doncic
6. Davis
7. Harden
8. Lillard
9. Gobert
10. Butler

Then one of Siakam, Paul, Westbrook, Embiid.

Zion is GOAT though

[No-more-rings]

Games played have to be considered, and it's important to not overreact to hot and cold stretches. Averages for the whole season matter.

1. Giannis- simply no explanation needed.

2. Lebron- Leading a very balanced team, 4th in offense and defense. Clear cut best offensive player on that team and 2nd most impactful defender.

3. Harden- Cold stretch or not dude's still averaging 35 ppg on 62 ts% lol and is pretty durable.

4. Dame Lillard- offensive monster, very durable

5. Luka Doncic- offensive monster

[Odinn21]

In terms of PoY discussions, Giannis has been on a level of his own so far. Last season, I was thinking 'hope he doesn't get MVP and DPoY at the same time because his level's yet to reach Hakeem's'. But this season, beyond impressive. He should get both of those awards.

The next two are the ones you can rely in the playoffs. LeBron and Kawhi. At this rate Kawhi will be missing 20 games though. So, I'm not so sure if he can make it past LeBron.

After these 3, it's a pretty wild race.

[RCM88x]

Games played have to be considered, and it's important to not overreact to hot and cold stretches. Averages for the whole season matter.

1. Giannis- simply no explanation needed.

2. Lebron- Leading a very balanced team, 4th in offense and defense. Clear cut best offensive player on that team and 2nd most impactful defender.

3. Harden- Cold stretch or not dude's still averaging 35 ppg on 62 ts% lol and is pretty durable.

4. Dame Lillard- offensive monster, very durable

5. Luka Doncic- offensive monster

This is pretty much how I feel.

Don't think Kawhi deserves to be in the conversation considering how many games he's missed (12 already). Davis is a clear tier below these guys imo, his box score stats are solid but not his impact stats.

Jokic might deserve a spot here soon, need to finish out the season strong though after his poor start.

[70sFan]

Games played have to be considered, and it's important to not overreact to hot and cold stretches. Averages for the whole season matter.

1. Giannis- simply no explanation needed.

2. Lebron- Leading a very balanced team, 4th in offense and defense. Clear cut best offensive player on that team and 2nd most impactful defender.

3. Harden- Cold stretch or not dude's still averaging 35 ppg on 62 ts% lol and is pretty durable.

4. Dame Lillard- offensive monster, very durable

5. Luka Doncic- offensive monster

This is pretty much how I feel.

Don't think Kawhi deserves to be in the conversation considering how many games he's missed (12 already). Davis is a clear tier below these guys imo, his box score stats are solid but not his impact stats.

Jokic might deserve a spot here soon, need to finish out the season strong though after his poor start.

Kawhi played 40 games so far, Doncic played 43. Is this big enough difference?

[RCM88x]

Games played have to be considered, and it's important to not overreact to hot and cold stretches. Averages for the whole season matter.

1. Giannis- simply no explanation needed.

2. Lebron- Leading a very balanced team, 4th in offense and defense. Clear cut best offensive player on that team and 2nd most impactful defender.

3. Harden- Cold stretch or not dude's still averaging 35 ppg on 62 ts% lol and is pretty durable.

4. Dame Lillard- offensive monster, very durable

5. Luka Doncic- offensive monster

This is pretty much how I feel.

Don't think Kawhi deserves to be in the conversation considering how many games he's missed (12 already). Davis is a clear tier below these guys imo, his box score stats are solid but not his impact stats.

Jokic might deserve a spot here soon, need to finish out the season strong though after his poor start.

Kawhi played 40 games so far, Doncic played 43. Is this big enough difference?

I think Luka has been a significantly better player this season. And he's at least injured and not just sitting games because he's saving himself for the postseason.

[70sFan]

This is pretty much how I feel.

Don't think Kawhi deserves to be in the conversation considering how many games he's missed (12 already). Davis is a clear tier below these guys imo, his box score stats are solid but not his impact stats.

Jokic might deserve a spot here soon, need to finish out the season strong though after his poor start.

Kawhi played 40 games so far, Doncic played 43. Is this big enough difference?

I think Luka has been a significantly better player this season. And he's at least injured and not just sitting games because he's saving himself for the postseason.

I won't touch their "goodness" (it's another debate) but how does it make a difference? Missing time is missing time, I get that you may not like what Kawhi is doing, but in objective comparison it shouldn't matter. Not to mention that Kawhi doesn't sit out games often anymore, he had serious health problems early in this season.

[RCM88x]

Kawhi played 40 games so far, Doncic played 43. Is this big enough difference?

I think Luka has been a significantly better player this season. And he's at least injured and not just sitting games because he's saving himself for the postseason.

I won't touch their "goodness" (it's another debate) but how does it make a difference? Missing time is missing time, I get that you may not like what Kawhi is doing, but in objective comparison it shouldn't matter. Not to mention that Kawhi doesn't sit out games often anymore, he had serious health problems early in this season.

Because I just think its just lame. He hasn't played 1 b2b this season and has only missed consecutive games once this year (3 games from Nov 14-18th). If someone is injured they don't miss one game every two weeks always on a B2B.

He sat out last night against the Cavs actually, I was there. It was the 2nd night of a B2B.

[KGtabake]

1. Giannis
2. Jokic
3. LeBron
4. Kawhi
5. Doncic
6. Lillard
7. Davis
8. Butler
9. Tatum
10. Siakam

[70sFan]

I think Luka has been a significantly better player this season. And he's at least injured and not just sitting games because he's saving himself for the postseason.

I won't touch their "goodness" (it's another debate) but how does it make a difference? Missing time is missing time, I get that you may not like what Kawhi is doing, but in objective comparison it shouldn't matter. Not to mention that Kawhi doesn't sit out games often anymore, he had serious health problems early in this season.

Because I just think its just lame. He hasn't played 1 b2b this season and has only missed consecutive games once this year (3 games from Nov 14-18th). If someone is injured they don't miss one game every two weeks always on a B2B.

He sat out last night against the Cavs actually, I was there. It was the 2nd night of a B2B.

Sure, it is lame but he still plays similar number of games as Doncic.

I might overrate him a bit though, ironmen like James or Harden should be higher than him. I thought more about "goodness" than ranking actual season which is dangerous.

[Dr Spaceman]

I think Giannis is having the best regular season since 09 LeBron.

[70sFan]

I think Giannis is having the best regular season since 09 LeBron.

Even over 2013 James?

[Dr Spaceman]

I think Giannis is having the best regular season since 09 LeBron.

Even over 2013 James?

Boy that’s tough. I actually think that was the last time Bron was better in the regular season than the playoffs. It’s close and I could go either way.

[HeartBreakKid]

Don't sleep on Jokic this season. He had a slow start but he's a top 5 guy to me for sure, especially since I have faith he'll have a good post season showing.

[Odinn21]

Don't sleep on Jokic this season. He had a slow start but he's a top 5 guy to me for sure, especially since I have faith he'll have a good post season showing.

He had a very similar start in 2018-19 though.
In 2018-19, he went 16.4/9.6/7.6 (16.6 gmsc) on .561 ts in the first 25 games.
In 2019-20, he went 16.2/10.0/6.3 (14.7 gmsc) on .532 ts in the first 23 games. (* used gmsc for a very quick display, not a fan)

Then he unleashed his beast mode on both occasions.

[bondom34]

Honestly I think I'd have Jokic 3rd at worst right now, and might even debate 2nd. Giannis is the only sure fire lock at 1.

[limbo]

Giannis leads with a sizable gap. Then it's LeBron, Harden, Kawhi, Jokic in that order.

If Kawhi didn't miss a decent chunk of games he'd be competing for the 2nd spot with LeBron. Ditto Harden, this abysmal stretch in the last couple of weeks killed him.

Gobert, Butler, Tatum, Lillard, Luka probably the next five to round out the Top 10...

Where do you guys have Khris Middleton this season? WS/48, RPM, PIPM all have him in the Top 15 firmly. He's been amazing, but how much does playing 29 mpg as the 2nd fiddle on a stacked team count against him? How is his scenario different from a Scottie Pippen?

[70sFan]

I think Giannis is having the best regular season since 09 LeBron.

Even over 2013 James?

Boy that’s tough. I actually think that was the last time Bron was better in the regular season than the playoffs. It’s close and I could go either way.

I actually love 2013 James the most in terms of RS. He played such a smart and efficient basketball, Heat were scary with healthy Wade. Reminds me a bit of 1967 Wilt with his unreal efficiency stats. I don't think even Giannnis reached that level, but I can be biased.

[Colbinii]

Even over 2013 James?

Boy that’s tough. I actually think that was the last time Bron was better in the regular season than the playoffs. It’s close and I could go either way.

I actually love 2013 James the most in terms of RS. He played such a smart and efficient basketball, Heat were scary with healthy Wade. Reminds me a bit of 1967 Wilt with his unreal efficiency stats. I don't think even Giannnis reached that level, but I can be biased.

That 9-game stretch was absurd.
76.7 TS%, 30.1 USG%, 138 individual Ortg, 30.4 PPG on 16.8 shots per game.