Breaking Down The Top 5 NBA MVP Candidates

As the season approaches the quarter-way mark, it’s time we take a look at the top 5 frontrunners for the NBA MVP!

Averages: 31.1ppg, 13.9rpg, 6.4apg, 1.6stl, 1.3blk, 1.4treys, 56.3%fg, 60.1%ft

3 amazing individual performances:

• 50-14-6 in win over Jazz
• 24-19-15 triple double in win over Blazers
• 30-13-11 triple double in 28 mins, season opener win over Rockets

Pros: Numbers are up across the board from his reigning MVP season, Bucks are top of the East (14-3 record), 8 game win-streak, Clear team leader, elite player on both ends

Cons: Voter fatigue, will voters give Giannis B2B MVPs?, Poor ft shooting (60%)

Averages: 30.6ppg, 10.1rpg, 9.8apg, 1.3stl, 0.2blk, 3.3treys, 49.5%fg, 81.7%ft

3 amazing individual performances:

• 42-11-12 triple double in win over Spurs
• 35-10-11 triple double in 25 mins, win vs Warriors
• 31-13-15 triple double in epic showdown vs Lebron

Pros: Triple double average within reach, Smashing records for his age, Excitement/media hype

Cons: Risk of dropoff, Mavs not finishing top 4

Averages: 37.9ppg, 6.1rpg, 8.0apg, 1.6stl, 0.5blk, 4.6treys, 43.6%fg, 86.3%ft

3 amazing individual performances:

• 59-3-9 in 37 mins, a 159-158 comeback win over Wizards
• 49-5-6 with 8 treys in a win over the Timberwolves
• 47-6-7 with 7 treys in a win over the Clippers

Pros: Scoring has somehow increased since last season, Only 1 game off top 3 spot in West, Historical season, could average 40+ppg this year

Cons: Voter fatigue – he didn’t win last year with insane individual numbers, Needs Rockets to finish top 2-3 in West to have a chance

Averages: 25.6ppg, 7.4rpg, 11.0apg, 1.2stl, 0.6blk, 2.0treys, 49.3%fg, 68.0%ft

3 amazing individual performances:

• 39-12-16 triple double in epic battle vs Doncic (Lakers win)
• 30-10-11 triple double in win over Bulls
• 25-11-10 triple double in win over OKC

Pros: Lakers top of the NBA at 15-2 (8 game win streak), Amazing numbers in 17^th NBA season, career high and league leading 11.0 assists, Huge turnaround for Lakers over last season

Cons: Possibly loses some votes to Anthony Davis? Stats aren’t as eye popping as some other MVP candidates.

Averages: 26.1ppg, 9.4rpg, 3.6apg, 1.2stl, 1.6blk, 1.3treys, 50.2%fg, 81.8%ft

3 amazing individual performances:

• 40-20 game in win over Grizzlies
• 33-11-7 in win over OKC
• 34-7-4-4-2 in win over OKC

Pros: Lakers top of the NBA at 15-2 (8 game win streak), Elite 2-way player, can explode once he gets going, Could also win Defensive Player of the Year

Cons: Loses some votes to Lebron? Lowest rebounding since rookie year, Injury risk/load management

November 28, 2019 By Peter Arena NBA