November 7, 2006 -- What is the Race to the MVP?

If you ask 10 different people, chances are you'll get 10 different answers. While stats are the most important thing, they aren't the only thing. Wins and losses, along with the intangibles such as hustle plays and leadership also fit into the equation.

Every Tuesday, yours truly will take a look at the who, what, when, where and why from the previous week and come up with a top 10 list of players emerging as favorites to receive the 2006-07 Maurice Podoloff Trophy.

These are not official league rankings. These rankings are based on my opinion and a top secret scientific formula. Of course after just one week of the season, it is difficult to start thinking about the MVP. Plus, the players at the top of the list now may be MIA in April, but who cares?

By starting the rankings early, it is a chance to give props to the players playing well and besides, aren’t all 82 games taken into account when the real MVP Award is handed out?

And let me be clear. I'm a hoops junkie. In my house I got framed pictures of my wife, my son, my daughter, my parents and Charles Barkley. That's just how I do.
Line of the Week
Lamar Odom (Lakers)
October 31 vs. Suns
34 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists,
3 steals, 12-24 FG, 7-7 FT

You may not always agree with me. So, tell people ... go ahead, argue. But I get the final say.

  • Send your feedback

    Here are NBA.com’s first Player Rankings of the season …

    1. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    34.0 3.67 9.67 0.67 0 .493 .811
    The Answer was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after igniting the Sixers’ perfect start to the season. Here is a big "surprise", A.I. leads the league in scoring.

    2. Carlos Boozer, Utah
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    20.6 14.0 2.0 0.5 0.5 .492 .692
    He is making a certain “experts'” preseason prediction of the Jazz winning the Northwest Division title look mighty good. Boozer's 14 boards leads the league.

    3. LeBron James, Cleveland
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    25.7 9.67 5.33 0.33 1.33 0.444 .630
    Besides giving Tim Duncan a facial, LBJ posted monster numbers. His shooting percentages are down but that will change.

    4. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    21.5 11.8 1.8 0.3 2.3 .582 .880
    KG always puts up MVP numbers and opening week was no different as he looks like he is in 2003-04 form.

    5. Lamar Odom, L.A. Lakers
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    23.8 8.25 6.25 1.00 0 .536 .833
    The Lakers were expected to start slowly with Kobe missing the first two games while recovering from knee surgery. Odom made sure that didn’t happen as the Lakers went 3-1 last week.

    6. Zach Randolph, Portland
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    26.0 10.3 1.8 0.8 1.0 .514 .914
    With his blocks and steals, Randolph is filling the box score on both ends of the court for Portland, which is 2-2.

    7. Chris Paul, Oklahoma City/New Orleans
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    16.0 4.0 10.67 2.0 0 .474 .750
    Scouts are busy trying to figure out how CP3’s bunch are unbeaten. I say games like Paul's 16-assist gem against the Rockets on Sunday are big reasons why.

    8. Vince Carter, New Jersey
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    26.0 7.5 5.0 0.5 0 .538 1.000
    He only had two games last week, but how can you ignore production like this? Up next for Carter are the Jazz, Heat, Wizards and Sonics.

    9. Joe Johnson, Atlanta
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    28.7 2.67 5.0 1.67 0.33 .485 .778
    All he did was drop in 28.7 points per game for the -- no this isn’t a misprint -- Southeast Division leaders. It's clear: As Joe goes, so go the Hawks.

    10. Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee
    PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% FT%
    18.8 10.8 2.5 1.3 0.5 .516 .625
    Milwaukee’s new big man is making the most out of his opportunity, torching his four opponents which included his former team, the Raptors.

    Close But No Cigar

    Allen
    An argument can be made for Seattle’s Ray Allen (28 points, 4.7 assists per) and Boston’s Paul Pierce (24.7 points, 13 rebounds per) to crack the list. Problem for the two standouts is that their teams are a combined 1-5.
    Steve Nash, the reigning two-time MVP, is putting up his normal gaudy numbers (20 points, 11.8 assists per) but Phoenix is struggling. The Suns, despite the return of Amare Stoudemire, are 1-3.
    Dwyane Wade is playing well for most players, but below the lofty expectations he has set. The guard is averaging 20.7 points and 6.3 assists for the 1-2 Heat.