NBA MVP: Defining "Valuable"
Much discussion and debate have surrounded the NBA MVP race as the 2014-2015 NBA season comes to a close. A number of potential candidates' names have been thrown into the mix with two clear favorites for the prestigious title. Stephen Curry and James Harden have made their mark on the NBA and on the respective teams this season in different ways leading to a necessary discussion on the definition of "Most Valuable Player".
To break down the words in their literal context provides one definition (the player who means the most to the team and its outcome) whereas the combination of the words takes a separate connotation (the best player in the sport).
To explain this a bit more, I refer back to the 2011 NFL season when Aaron Rodgers won the MVP award. As the best player on the field, the award was valid though an eye test had a player who did not play a single game in the MVP talks. Peyton Manning went through neck surgery prior to the 2011 NFL season keeping him out. As a direct result, the Indianapolis Colts slid from their consistent place atop the AFC South and as Playoff and Super Bowl contenders to a league low 2-14 record. That slide proved the value of Manning to his team.
Going back to the NBA now, there are four players in the MVP mix that each belong to one of the two groups: the best players and the players most valued.
Best Players: Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook landed in the top five in three major statistical categories (points, assists, and steals) including becoming the NBA scoring champion this season. During the absences of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka he was still able to lift the team during necessary times bringing the Oklahoma City Thunder within one game of the playoffs. In addition to his leadership, Westbrook added 11 straight triple-doubles to his stat line, the most since Jason Kidd's 13 in the 2007-2008 season.
Stephen Curry is the best player on the best team in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors topped the Western Conference by more than 10 games. Curry landed himself 6th in points per game and 4th in steals per game while also breaking his own single season 3-pt field goal record with 286 made. Curry is the favorite to win the MVP this season having led his team (along side Klay Thompson) to the number one seed in the NBA Playoffs.
Players of Value: James Harden and Lebron James
Lebron James is consistently one of the best players on the court from season to season and is arguably the best player in this generation of the NBA. Though his stat line doesn't match those of others (only landing in the top five in points per game) the eye test proves his value. Similar to the Peyton Manning story mentioned previously, James' previous team, the Miami Heat, struggled this year without him becoming one of the few teams to make it to the NBA finals only to miss the playoff the following season. Also, the Cavaliers who last season fell two spots short of the post-season find themselves as the number two seed and the favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
James Harden ranked second in points per game (only behind Russell Westbrook) and led the Rockets to another playoff appearance. But who else played for the Houston Rockets this year? Of the "qualified" players (as determined by espn.com) after Harden's second ranked points per game performance, no other member of the team landed in the top 50 in points per game. The next player would be Max Ariza with 12.8 points per game ranked 75th in the league. It is hard to imagine a team needing a players contributions more than the Rockets needing Harden's this season.
So there it is, two definitions and four worthy candidates for the MVP award. Curry and Harden are currently the top two contenders and, finding themselves under different definitions of the term, the determination of the winner will reveal which definition the NBA regards as the one true definition of Most Valuable Player. (Sorry Kevin Love, but it isn't about Lebron's opinion at all.)
To break down the words in their literal context provides one definition (the player who means the most to the team and its outcome) whereas the combination of the words takes a separate connotation (the best player in the sport).
To explain this a bit more, I refer back to the 2011 NFL season when Aaron Rodgers won the MVP award. As the best player on the field, the award was valid though an eye test had a player who did not play a single game in the MVP talks. Peyton Manning went through neck surgery prior to the 2011 NFL season keeping him out. As a direct result, the Indianapolis Colts slid from their consistent place atop the AFC South and as Playoff and Super Bowl contenders to a league low 2-14 record. That slide proved the value of Manning to his team.
Going back to the NBA now, there are four players in the MVP mix that each belong to one of the two groups: the best players and the players most valued.
Best Players: Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook landed in the top five in three major statistical categories (points, assists, and steals) including becoming the NBA scoring champion this season. During the absences of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka he was still able to lift the team during necessary times bringing the Oklahoma City Thunder within one game of the playoffs. In addition to his leadership, Westbrook added 11 straight triple-doubles to his stat line, the most since Jason Kidd's 13 in the 2007-2008 season.
Stephen Curry is the best player on the best team in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors topped the Western Conference by more than 10 games. Curry landed himself 6th in points per game and 4th in steals per game while also breaking his own single season 3-pt field goal record with 286 made. Curry is the favorite to win the MVP this season having led his team (along side Klay Thompson) to the number one seed in the NBA Playoffs.
Players of Value: James Harden and Lebron James
Lebron James is consistently one of the best players on the court from season to season and is arguably the best player in this generation of the NBA. Though his stat line doesn't match those of others (only landing in the top five in points per game) the eye test proves his value. Similar to the Peyton Manning story mentioned previously, James' previous team, the Miami Heat, struggled this year without him becoming one of the few teams to make it to the NBA finals only to miss the playoff the following season. Also, the Cavaliers who last season fell two spots short of the post-season find themselves as the number two seed and the favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
James Harden ranked second in points per game (only behind Russell Westbrook) and led the Rockets to another playoff appearance. But who else played for the Houston Rockets this year? Of the "qualified" players (as determined by espn.com) after Harden's second ranked points per game performance, no other member of the team landed in the top 50 in points per game. The next player would be Max Ariza with 12.8 points per game ranked 75th in the league. It is hard to imagine a team needing a players contributions more than the Rockets needing Harden's this season.
So there it is, two definitions and four worthy candidates for the MVP award. Curry and Harden are currently the top two contenders and, finding themselves under different definitions of the term, the determination of the winner will reveal which definition the NBA regards as the one true definition of Most Valuable Player. (Sorry Kevin Love, but it isn't about Lebron's opinion at all.)
Comments
Post a Comment