James Harden, the reigning NBA MVP, and his Houston Rockets have gotten off to a rocky start. At just 6-7, Houston and Harden, along with other talented teams (Celtics, looking at you), are in the midst of a sobering reminder that every team in this league is stacked with guys that can hit shots and make plays, and the best of the best rise to the top while the others sink.
Anthony Davis
Physically, AD is one of the league’s most imposing players. Standing 6’10” with a 7’6”wing span, Davis has been hounding opposing players on the defensive end since he got into the league, yet no one could have predicted the offensive leapDavis has taken. A big man capable of comfortably shifting between the 4 and the 5, Davis has made a name for himself as a constant presence on All-NBA teams, all-star games, All-Defensive teams, and always fighting in the DPOY race.
With a stacked Western Conference, this very well could be the year Davis emerges as the premier player in a conference with Steph Curry, LeBron James, Harden, andKevin Durant. After completely dismantling Portland in the playoffs last year, if Davis’ Pelicans can improve their team record from last year and crack the top 4 seeding in the West’s postseason, Davis may be a lock for MVP.
Steph Curry
The basketball world has never quite seen a player like Steph Curry, a fearless long-distance shooter comfortable pulling up off the bounce or the catch that can get scorching hot on a moment’s notice. There have been better overall players then Steph Curry during the span of his career, but Curry may be the league’s most influential since the days of Michael Jordan. LeBron and Kobe absolutely have cult followings, but they perfected the game the way basketball textbooks demanded it be perfected. Curry and his Warriors have completely changed basketball across all levels, heavily emphasizing the 3 ball and breaking conventional thinking of what constitutes a ‘good shot.’
Curry, at age 30, is still comfortably in the prime of his career and his powers have seemed to reach their apex this season. Averaging 30 PPG and 6 APG, all while shooting an insane 49%, Curry is the reason the Warriors are basketball dominance. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson are two of the league’s best offensive weapons, and Draymond is the do it all guy that keeps everyone in check, but Curry is what makes the Warriors such a truly horrifying, unstoppable force in the NBA.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks 23-year-old forward is primed to be one of the leaders of the NBA’s new school, along with Davis, Ben Simmons, and a plethora of other highly skilled young guys waiting to break out and take the league by storm. Antetokounmpo is a 6’11” point-center capable of guarding almost every player on every team, as well as controlling what looks to be a high-powered offense under coach Mike Budenholzer. For years now, the GreekFreak has been a highlight machine for the Bucks, but now seems to be in the position to take his squad deep into the postseason. They may not have the ability to beat Toronto, Golden State, or Boston in a seven-game series, but their size and skill is a nightmare for any team.
If Milwaukee can keep up their excellent play and seed themselves in the East’s top 4, Giannis will have a good chance at establishing himself as the East’s best player, and potentially, the league’s best player.
LeBron James
Three-time finals MVP, four-time league MVP and countless other awards have been bestowed to King James in his illustrious NBA career. After spending his entire career battling weaker foes in the EasternConference, LeBron has relocated himself to Los Angeles to attempt to revive aLakers team trapped in mediocrity since the twilight of Kobe’s tenure there.
To win the league MVP, as a personal opinion, your team should be at least the 4 seed in the playoffs. I mean, how valuable can you be if you can’t carry your team to the elite tier in the NBA? I don’t see it happening with the Lakers, but, as a Celtics fan, I know better then to count out LeBron. If, and allow me to emphasize this if, he can haul this ill-fitting Lakers squad to the 5 seed in theWest, LeBron must be a major player in the award race. We all know the numbers will be there.
Predictions for the 2018-2019 NBA’s MVP rely heavily on team success, perhaps now more then ever with so many highly skilled super teams battling for supremacy. The Bucks should finally assert themselves as a dominant team in the East, on par with the Celtics, Raptors, and new look Sixers. With that, Giannis should get the award, though Davis and Curry will be certainly give him competition for votes. LeBron will have a great case, but won’t win, because let’s face it: LeBron doesn’t win MVP anymore because it’s boring, just like with MJ, and just like how it is with Mike Trout in the MLB.
