Michael Kaskey-Blomain
There is a ton of talent in the NBA today.
With that in mind, Hoops Habitcompiled a rankingof thetop 10 candidates for the 2018-19 NBA Most Valuable Player Award. Here's what they had to say about the ranking:
"The NBA is in as good a place as it’s ever been. Though the league has its problems, the quality and entertainment value of the game itself higher than ever — no small feat considering the Golden State Warriors’ vice grip on the entire association.
Despite a likely lack of mystery surrounding who will be crowned champion for the upcoming 2018-19 season, every team’s fanbase has reason to be excited for another year of basketball. The overall talent level in the NBA is at an all-time high, with stars littered across all 30 teams.
Parity will never be the NBA’s strong suit, but never have there been so many superstars and household names carrying the banner for the league, which only makes the MVP conversation that much more interesting entering a new season.
Though the Western Conference is clearly more stacked with talent, the Most Valuable Player award also takes team success, narrative and importance to one’s team into account, giving more than a few Eastern Conference players their chance to join the conversation. The question is, which players are poised to have the best season in 2018-19 and establish themselves as legitimate MVP candidates?
We’ve already answered that question forExecutive of the Year,Coach of the Year,Rookie of the Year,Most Improved Player,Sixth Man of the YearandDefensive Player of the Year. Heading into the new campaign, here are the 10 most likely options to have the right combination of gaudy stats, team success and narrative to sway MVP voters."
Scroll below to see the top 10 candidates for the 2018-19 NBA MVP Award, viaHoops Habit.
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10. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
From Hoops Habit: "Though KD is more than capable of averaging 30 points a night, he doesn’t need to while playing alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and now DeMarcus Cousins. His stat line is bound to be somewhat limited by that much accompanying talent."
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9. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
FromHoops Habit:"The playoffs don’t factor into MVP voting, of course, but everyone knew the Thunder weren’t a legitimate threatbeforethey were ousted by the Utah Jazz. This year, Westbrook will be tasked with leading a revamped supporting cast, doing a better job of incorporating Paul George and posting MVP-caliber numbers on an improved team. The odds are already stacked against him thanks to that minor knee surgery."
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8. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
FromHoops Habit:"Like Durant, it’d take something remarkable from Stephen Curry in 2018-19 to sway voters’ attention back to a team they’d rather avoid heaping more praise onto. The Golden State Warriors fatigue is very real, and as a two-time MVP (one of which was unanimous), it’s hard to see Curry somehow topping what he and the Dubs have already accomplished in the regular season."
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7. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
FromHoops Habit:"We might still be one year away from when Embiid is a perennial MVP option and the 76ers are legitimate title contenders, but he’s already so damn good it’s impossible to leave him off the list. The power of narrative will certainly be on his side if that transformation takes another leap forward in just his third season."
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6. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
FromHoops Habit:"If he can stay on the floor, play more than the 60 games he logged last year and boost his numbers, he could be a dark horse MVP candidate as the best player on the best team in the East. However, with so many other mouths to feed in Boston, it’s hard to see him taking the needed statistical leap."
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5. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
FromHoops Habit:"If the Raptors earn a top-two seed in the East and Leonard is the driving force behind it, he’ll be an MVP contender. It’s hard to place him any higher than this, however, until we see how he fits under first-year head coach Nick Nurse, and until we know for sure he can stay on the court and shake of the cobwebs."
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4. James Harden, Houston Rockets
FromHoops Habit:"With Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute being replaced by Carmelo Anthony and a bunch of similarly dreadful defenders (except James Ennis), the Rockets probably aren’t going to be a 65-win team. Maybe he and Houston will prove everyone wrong yet again, but after being a regular MVP frontrunner over the last four years, the voters might be ready for some fresh blood — even if he only actually won the award once."
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3. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
FromHoops Habit:"After winning 35 games, the Lakers’ improvement in the win column might be enough to make up for their (likely) inability to secure a top-three seed in the loaded Western Conference. With a cast of young players and misfit veterans, King James will draw the majority of the credit for a more competitive L.A. squad, even if the youngsters take natural steps forward."
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2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
FromHoops Habit:"Team success could easily hold Giannis Antetokounmpo back in the polls, but don’t forget, for the first month or so of the 2017-18 season, he was the clear MVP frontrunner. That’s a small sample size, but the lack of a supporting cast and floor-spacers eventually took a toll on him. That may not be an issue in 2018-19."
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1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
FromHoops Habit:"After finishing third in MVP voting and second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, a full season of Anthony Davis at center might unlock something terrifying to behold in 2018-19. If the questions at point guard don’t result in too many losses, the Pelicans should be successful enough for Anthony Davis to finally win his first MVP award, especially if he can touch up that 3-point efficiency."
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Concepts Related to the Article
The article discusses the top 10 candidates for the 2018-19 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. It highlights the potential MVP contenders based on their performance, team success, and narrative. Here's a breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article and their relevance:
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NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award: The MVP award is given to the most outstanding player in the NBA regular season. It takes into account a player's individual performance, team success, and overall impact on the game.
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Top 10 Candidates: The article lists the top 10 potential MVP candidates for the 2018-19 NBA season, including players such as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Anthony Davis.
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Player Performance and Team Success: The MVP conversation considers a player's statistical performance, leadership, and the success of their team during the regular season.
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Narrative and Importance: The narrative surrounding a player's performance, their impact on the team, and their overall importance to their respective franchises are crucial factors in MVP discussions.
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Eastern and Western Conference Players: The article acknowledges the talent disparity between the Eastern and Western Conferences and how it may influence the MVP race.
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Supporting Cast and Statistical Leap: The potential MVP candidates' ability to elevate their performance, despite the presence of other star players or challenges within their respective teams, is a significant consideration.
These concepts provide a comprehensive understanding of the criteria and factors involved in determining the NBA MVP. The article's analysis sheds light on the competitive landscape and the key players vying for the prestigious award during the 2018-19 NBA season.
For further details on specific players and their MVP candidacy, the article provides insights into their individual strengths, challenges, and potential impact on their teams' success.
I have provided an overview of the concepts related to the article, including the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, the top 10 candidates, player performance, team success, narrative, and the Eastern and Western Conference players. If you have any specific questions about the NBA MVP race or the players mentioned, feel free to ask!
