The homer in me says Allen Iverson. He's leading the league in scoring and shooting a good percentage as well as dishing out over seven assists a game with the lowest turnovers per game in his 10 year career. This guy is simply an unstoppable machine this season and he doesn't look like he will be slowing down any time soon. The problem with Iverson being MVP though is that his team isn't doing so well. If the Sixers had a better record then he would be at the top of almost everyone's list.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Avery:</div><div class="quote_post">So let me get this. You're basically saying Tim Duncan should NOT get MVP no matter what because his team lost to the Hawks? What about your boy T-Mac? Let's say the Rockets get everything rolling and everyone is healthy and during a hot streak they end up lossing to the Hawks, would you take his MVP consideration away?</div> This is when i say, GOT EM. Nice sig to.
Its way to early in the season to start thinking who will be this seasons MVP...but it will be 1 from the following 10... Elton Brand,Steve Nash,Allen Iverson,Kobe Bryant,Chancey Billups,Dirk Nowitzki,Tim Duncan,Shaquille O'Neal,LeBron James,Kevin Garnett... Players who will also get votes but won't end up being MVP will be... Tracy McGrady,Paul Pierce,Jermaine O'Neal,Vince Carter,Dwane Wade,Daron Davis,Chris Paul [Yes CHRIS PAUL...The hornets would not have a single win if it wasnt for Paul...he has had a greater impact on any team by FAR this season...and deserves all the praise he can get]
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kunlun:</div><div class="quote_post">The homer in me says Allen Iverson. He's leading the league in scoring and shooting a good percentage as well as dishing out over seven assists a game with the lowest turnovers per game in his 10 year career. This guy is simply an unstoppable machine this season and he doesn't look like he will be slowing down any time soon. The problem with Iverson being MVP though is that his team isn't doing so well. If the Sixers had a better record then he would be at the top of almost everyone's list.</div> They've also had one of the easier schedules. If you adjust for that, Philly may not even be above .500 this season. They're playing really loose, which Iverson likes, and offensively they've been one of the top teams. But their defense has been poor, while last year they were one of the better defensive ball clubs. Iverson is definitely having a spectacular year, though. I don't know how he's been able to keep his turnovers so low with the amount of time he's handling the ball. I wonder if Chris Webber's presence has anything to do with it. Every team he's on seems to play great offensively.
durvasa, measuring +/- tells you one part of the picture, but not the whole picture. these numbers do not tell you how the player carries himself on the team, how he leads the team by example or vocally, how he promotes a confident psychology amongst teammates, how he handles adverse situations, etc.
I'll probably get attacked for this, but I don't even think Chauncy Billups is the MVP of his own team. Rasheed Wallace IMO is the guy that Detroit needs most. Where did Detroit go without him? THey bring him in. Boom two consecutive NBA Final appearences with one NBA Championship. Whenever Rasheed does good Pistons win. This guy is one of the most underrated players in the game today. He plays amazing defense. He's a 7 footer that can hit the three, sscore in the paint, rebound. This guy is the complete package and is a guy that cares only for winning,not individual accomplishments. I don't watch every Pistons game so I probably am wrong, but Rasheed looks to be the guy who is most valuableto that Detroit franchise. lol Maybe I'm just thinking from a Miami view.
I agree with Diesel, Rasheed is their best player in my book. Blazers went down hill after they traded him to the Pistons. And the Pistons ended up winning a championship that should say something the man can do it all.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I agree with Diesel, Rasheed is their best player in my book. Blazers went down hill after they traded him to the Pistons. And the Pistons ended up winning a championship that should say something the man can do it all.</div> Were they even doing good before that season? They actually didn't finish off that badly, they finished like 41-41 with Randolph averaging 20-10.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rasheed Wallace IMO is the guy that Detroit needs most. Where did Detroit go without him? THey bring him in. Boom two consecutive NBA Final appearences with one NBA Championship.</div> Gee, I like to think that Larry Brown played a small part in those Finals appearances, but that's just me. Larry Brown actually said that he felt Prince was the key to the Pistons, and that re-signing him was crucial. Who would defend the Kobe's and Tmac of the league if they didn't have Prince? I can't believe that people are saying Chris Paul is an MVP candidate in a year where Elton Brand and Marcus Camby are playing the way that they are. In addition to those to we have the usual perennial MVP candidates, the current MVP candidate, and you've got to throw Dirk into the mix too. That makes a list of (in no order): Garnett STD Shaq Brand Nash AI Kobe Dirk **also add whoever the most valuable Piston ends up being. depending on how the Wizards and Celtics end up Gilbert and PP could be on that list too. No room for Chris Paul's name whatsoever!
To bring a little objectivity to the discussion, 82games publishes a "Roland Rating" for every player in the league, which combines (a) how much better statistically (using PER) a player is compared to the opponent he matches up against and ( how much better his team plays when he is on the court versus when he's off the court. It might be a good idea to consider these aspects when making choices for MVP. http://www.82games.com/0506/rolandratings0506.htm One thing that should be pointed out is players like Wade, McGrady, and Yao are probably slightly overrated at this point since they've played significant number of games without the other "star" on their team. Wade's +/- will probably be much less when Shaq is available, for instance. According to the Roland Rating, right now Wade and James are at the top of the list (though it's likely that Wade's rating will drop as the season progresses). Ray Allen fares pretty well according to this rating as well, largely because the Sonics have played horrendously when he's off the court, while being average with him on the court.
VC is number three on that Roland Rating. If NJ continues to play really well, and Carter continues to put up big games, then there's no reason why he shouldn't get consideration.
