If the Spurs record surpasses the Warriors...

[CitySushi]

If the Spurs record surpasses the Warriors, should Kawhi be the MVP?

At his current rate his pure statistical numbers wouldn't wow you. He is currently averaging 20.1 pts, 7.0 rebs, 2.6 assists. 2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. But, he's unanimously the best defender in the NBA and would be the best player on the best team.

If this were to happen, which is not unrealistic, would he be your pick for MVP?

 

[Shanemansj13]

Great player/defender not good enough stats to get MVP IMO...I would vote for him though

 

[LAD]

If the Spurs record surpasses the Warriors, should Kawhi be the MVP?

At his current rate his pure statistical numbers wouldn't wow you. He is currently averaging 20.1 pts, 7.0 rebs, 2.6 assists. 2 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. But, he's unanimously the best defender in the NBA and would be the best player on the best team.

If this were to happen, which is not unrealistic, would he be your pick for MVP?

No, because MVP IMO is an individual award. If you look at his individual stats there are other players with better stats.

I think it's great if a player with the best stats wins AND happens to play on the best team in the league. But, I don't think whether or not they're on one of the best teams should be a factor in getting this particular award.

 

[CitySushi]

No, because MVP IMO is an individual award. If you look at his individual stats there are other players with better stats.

I think it's great if a player with the best stats wins AND happens to play on the best team in the league. But, I don't think whether or not they're on one of the best teams should be a factor in getting this particular award.

Harden had superior numbers to Steph last year. Warriors success also drove Steph to become MVP. But I get what you're saying.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

The record in the standings is irrelevant when you're talking about the Spurs. The Spurs are thinking only about the end product and that end product is another championship title for Tim Duncan. Popovich will lose games and give up on them in order to protect his older players in order to preserve them for that occasion.

 

[lakersrule]

I remember when Kobe won his MVP in 2008, it came right down to the end between him and CP3. The Lakers edged out the Hornets for the best record in the west and Kobe got the MVP. That year seemed to come down to which team had the better record.

Regarding this season, Kawhi doesn't have the statistical edge to beat out Steph, assuming they both keep up these averages. Offense factors way more into the MVP vote than defense does.

 

[lakersrule]

Harden had superior numbers to Steph last year. Warriors success also drove Steph to become MVP. But I get what you're saying.

Only PPG really though. Steph had him in several categories.

 

[LAD]

Harden had superior numbers to Steph last year. Warriors success also drove Steph to become MVP. But I get what you're saying.

Are you sure?
2014-2015 season stats:

GP MP 3P% 2P% AST STL TOV
Steph 80 2613 44% 52% 619 163 249
Harden 81 2981 37% 48% 565 154 321

 

[uncfan103]

No, because MVP IMO is an individual award. If you look at his individual stats there are other players with better stats.

I think it's great if a player with the best stats wins AND happens to play on the best team in the league. But, I don't think whether or not they're on one of the best teams should be a factor in getting this particular award.

So, not that I disagree with you but...do you think defense should be factored into the equation? Or just the best statistical player on a decent team should be mvp?

 

[LAD]

Only PPG really though. Steph had him in several categories.

Yep, but even that was really close last season if I recall correctly.

 

[uncfan103]

Are you sure?
2014-2015 season stats:

GP MP 3P% 2P% AST STL TOV
Steph 80 2613 44% 52% 619 163 249
Harden 81 2981 37% 48% 565 154 321

Again, I don't disagree with you but the way you're using statistics is a little flawed. What you bolder makes perfect sense...more minutes = more turnovers. You didn't break that down by percentage like you did for 2 and 3 point percentages. I'd be interested in seeing the TOV per 48 minutes. (I'm not trying to ignore Steph has a higher assist/steals per 48, just pointing out the turnover numbers being higher because of his minutes)

 

[LAD]

So, not that I disagree with you but...do you think defense should be factored into the equation? Or just the best statistical player on a decent team should be mvp?

Well I will answer that in two ways.

A. Yes, I think it should be a factor and B. I just don't think there's enough guys right now that play consistently on both ends of the court for them to factor it in.

I guess what I'm trying to say is if a guy is great at offense but doesn't play defense- and happens to have a bad season on offense- he may not be considered for the award. I don't think that's necessarily wrong, however, I just think it would severly limit the # of candidates in that case.

 

[trojanfan12]

Unless Steph goes into a prolonged slump or the Warriors fall apart and drop below the 3rd seed in the playoffs, the MVP is his to lose, imo.

 

[huskers1217]

Not saying its true but im sure most think that if you take kawhi off the spurs they would still be the 1 or 2 seed. If you take Curry off of GS, they might be 4th. i think that factors in.

 

[LAD]

Again, I don't disagree with you but the way you're using statistics is a little flawed. What you bolder makes perfect sense...more minutes = more turnovers. You didn't break that down by percentage like you did for 2 and 3 point percentages. I'd be interested in seeing the TOV per 48 minutes. (I'm not trying to ignore Steph has a higher assist/steals per 48, just pointing out the turnover numbers being higher because of his minutes)

Ok, no problem. i didn't realize more detail was needed or wanted.

Per 36 minutes:
Steph: 3.4 TOV
Harden: 3.9 TOV

Per 100 Pos:
Steph: 4.7 TOV
Harden: 5.4 TOV

 

[LAD]

Not saying its true but im sure most think that if you take kawhi off the spurs they would still be the 1 or 2 seed. If you take Curry off of GS, they might be 4th. i think that factors in.

I don't think that about the Spurs. I think they would equally decline if either player was taken out of the lineup.

 

[CitySushi]

Steph: 23.8 ppg, 7.7 apg, 4.3 rpg, 2.0 spg, .487/.443/.914

Harden: 27.4 ppg, 7.0 apg, 4.7 rpg, 1.9 spg, .440/.375/.868

Numbers were pretty similar. I thought there was a slightly bigger difference.

 

[Bolts]

Kawhi is one of my favorite players and might be the best 2 way player in the NBA, but unless his scoring balloons up to 25ppg+ I don't see it happening. The Spurs offense isn't built around 1 guy dominating, they just move the ball so well and find the open man(not that GSW doesn't do this too but Steph still controls the offense most of the time because he's the PG and can shoot from crazy deep). Kawhi is the leader right now for DPOY though.

Also, I expect the Spurs to rest guys more which would make it unlikely that they pass the Warriors.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

No way in hell Steph doesn't win MVP as long as he stays healthy. Players like Leonard unfortunately never win MVP over the "flashy" type of players. He's having one hell of a year and is hands down the best two way player in the NBA. I see him finishing 2nd or 3rd, which isn't exactly a slap in the face either.

 

[lebron23james]

I am leaning towards giving it to lebron