It has been an exciting year so far in the NBA. With all the injuries that have been plaguing most teams, it has become a tough fight between the league’s best to fill the gaping hole left by some of basketball’s biggest stars. With that in mind, players have really been stepping it up to keep there teams in the race for the prestigious NBA championship. In the end, only the best will reach the end, and only the greatest will prevail.
LeBron James has been playing a heck of a year for the Miami Heat. He may be averaging his lowest points per game ever, but he is taking smarter, and more effective shots. This has lead to him averaging the highest field goal percentage of his career. It has obviously been influencing his teammates because his Heat are averaging a league best 50.7% field goal average. Not to mention, he has lead the Heat to be just three wins back from the Pacers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. LeBron is also averaging 6.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists helping him have the second highest player efficiency rating at 29.05. If LeBron continues his current level of play he could not only end up with a MVP award but a NBA Championship.
Kevin Durant has the be the leading contender for the NBA MVP award so far this season. Kevin is averaging a league-leading 29.8 points per game. Just 0.3 points back of a career-high. He has also been averaging 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, adding to his impressive 29.70 player efficiency rating. The highest of this year and of his career. His OKC Thunder are third in the West and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to playoffs. Kevin is the most humble player in the league which makes him a great role model and mentor for the millions of children across the world watching and aspiring to be him. The MVP award would join his many other current standing awards and records like his 3 scoring champions and his All-Star Game MVP. So far, Kevin Durant has to be this season’s leading MVP candidate.
James Harden would be quite a surprise if he won the NBA MVP award but he is not a player to be forgotten. James is fifth in the league right now in PPG averaging 24.6 points per game. He is a bit of an unsung hero for the Rockets because of all the star-power they have. With Dwight Howard averaging 18 points per game, the ball isn’t always in his hands. The Rockets are really strong with Harden but with out Howard and Lin, I don’t know how far they could get. James Harden is a great player, with great confidence and star power but, he could improve in terms of his all-around ability.
The MVP race this year is very heated and will have a great ending outcome. I can’t wait for the official results to release and until then I will be following all of this year’s candidates. Hopefully the year continues to continues to be exciting and eventful!
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