2019 NBA MVP Race: Where LeBron James Ranks After Joining The Lakers | Bleacher's report

In terms of pure talent, Stephen Curry deserves to be considered a top contender for the league's most prestigious individual award. You can argue many compelling arguments that the 30-year-old is undoubtedly one of the top five players in the league, and is likely to continue to rewrite three-point records throughout the 2018-19 campaign.

However, Curry is disadvantaged by Kevin Durant's long-standing presence on the Golden State Warriors list. The small striker may not be the true face of the franchise or pivot around which the offensive system is built, but his well-balanced play and prominence while winning the consecutive MVP Finals make him the nominee most likely of the regular team. MVP of the season.

Sorry, but we're just not going to list two players on the same team as the top five candidates. And now, Curry is the one who is trying to climb upward in an even steeper way.

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Do we trust Joel Embiid who plays enough to make his way to the top of the standings (limited to five players because a ballot is only five places)?

If the Philadelphia 76ers center could reduce its turnarounds and improve its work in advanced situations, it would turn into a generational talent imagined by so many NBA worlds. Join him in the first place of the Eastern Conference, and he would have everything to gain by winning the Maurice Podoloff trophy.

But MVPs do not usually lack a lot of time in their jewelry quests, and Embiid has not yet proven that it can stand the rigors of a full professional season without maintenance time. important. Even in 2017-18, he qualified only 63 times and, due to a sizable collision with his teammate Markelle Fultz, he was unable to participate in the entire first round playoffs against the Miami Heat. Without showing more durability, he simply can not climb higher at this early stage of his career ever more impressive.

Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics

This is not a shot of Kyrie Irving, but a compliment aimed at the entire organization of the Boston Celtics.

Of course, the dazzling leader could continue to improve defense and become a smarter smuggler – the latter seemed to be a development early in the season before settling to fill a role similar to that held by the Cavaliers from Cleveland. . But even with these distinct flaws, his ball-handling magic and supernatural scoring chops allow him to function as one of the most powerful offensive forces in the NBA.

The biggest problem in the MVP conversation is the perceived egalitarian nature of the Celtics, who was not really helped by the team falling to a match of the final appearances while operating without Irving and Gordon Hayward. As long as these two established stars prepare alongside Al Horford, Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, it is difficult for a man to climb high enough to make a reward. serious.

Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors

Of all men on the list of second-tier contenders (or honorable mentions), Kawhi Leonard may have the best chance of meeting expectations . He was widely considered a favorite for the San Antonio Spurs as the 2017-2018 season approached – and was my personal choice for MVP – but the mysterious quadriceps injury turned everything upside down.

And is he healthy and motivated for the Toronto Raptors? In this situation, he could easily remind voters that he is a double defensive player of the year capable of exploding for an efficiency of 30 points on a given night, making him the best player. one of the most complete basketball entities.

But we have no idea of ​​the probability that this is. He could still suffer from this balky quadriceps. He could never be the same player. It may be difficult to adapt to a new set of teammates. He could be unmotivated, knowing that he is just ready to leave for a third organization in the summer of 2019. Too many things are still going on to trust his candidacy.

Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

For his triple-double efforts in 2016-17, Russell Westbrook has been awarded the title of MVP. A year later, he finished fifth in the polls despite averaging 25.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 10.3 assists – yes, another double triple season.

This is not a simple coincidence. The novelty is worn out. Westbrook has been exposed to legitimate criticism of its wild nature, defensive inconsistencies and fair or not struggles to raise the Oklahoma City Thunder to the same pedestal occupied by the Houston Rockets. Golden State Warriors.

Westbrook could replicate its efforts for 2017-2018, but changing this story will be difficult. And without changing it, he will not add to his trophy collection.

Honorable Mention: Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford, Nikola Jokic, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Victor Oladipo, Chris Paul, Ben Simmons, Karl-Anthony Towns [19659022] [ad_2]
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