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Cohen: Chase for the MVP

By Josh Cohen
December 3, 2010

Throughout the course of the NBA season, I will provide an analysis for each player in the chase for the MVP.

RANK
PLAYER
ANALYSIS
1 Dwight Howard’s dominance is one of the primary reasons the Orlando Magic have won five straight and nine of their past 10 games. Besides reemphasizing his defensive supremacy and showcasing his blossoming offensive repertoire, Howard has managed to generally stay out of foul trouble. And that, rather than his point totals, rebounds and blocks, may be his most important stat.
2 It’s an inexhaustible debate about who the overall best point guard is in the NBA. At 9 a.m., you may be in the mood to say it’s Chris Paul. At noon, you may change your mind and say Derrick Rose. At 3 p.m., your scatterbrained and you declare it to be Deron Williams and then at some point in the nighttime Steve Nash or Russell Westbrook enthralls you.

But lately because he has led his team to seven straight victories and has posted remarkable statistics, Williams is probably the more valuable of them all.
3 If you had told me before the season that Russell Westbrook, and not Kevin Durant, would be more of a realistic MVP candidate than I would have probably thought you were using auto-tune in your speech and I just couldn’t comprehend you.

Although, incontrovertibly, to challenge the Lakers or any of the other top teams in the Western Conference, the Thunder need Durant to be the more “valuable” player, but as of now, it’s been Westbrook delivering sensational performances on a nightly basis.
4 Some critics condemned the Knicks for rewarding Amar’e Stoudemire with such a massive contract over the summer when they swung and missed on a wicked curveball from LeBron James. But rather than be overwhelmed by the persistent pressures from the New York media, Stoudemire has seemingly utilized it to his advantage.

Aside from doing what he always does – post outstanding statistics – the five-time NBA All-Star has shown to be a tremendous leader on a young, but flourishing, team.
5 When you first look at the Spurs’ 15-3 record, which is best in the NBA, you probably would assume that Tim Duncan has restored his dominance from a few years ago. But actually, Duncan is having the worst statistical season of his career and instead, it’s Manu Ginobili enjoying arguably his best overall season.

Many would agree that Ginobili is the greatest international player of all-time (Pau Gasol may oppose), but it would be remarkable if he can prove to be the most valuable player in the U.S.
6 There is something very mysterious about the perception NBA spectators have of Dirk Nowitzki. Back in 2006 when he guided the Mavericks to the NBA Finals and the subsequent season when Dallas won an astounding 67 games and Dirk was named the MVP, Nowitzki was, by and large, thought of as a championship-bound superstar.

But ever since the Warriors in the First Round of the 2007 playoffs stunned the Mavs, Dirk tends to be viewed as a phenomenal player that just simply can’t win big games. Until he proves he can, it will difficult for the nine-time All-Star to win another MVP award.
7 My head is spinning on which of the remaining elite point guards to slide into this spot in the rankings. Very easily, it could go to Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Steve Nash, Tony Parker or Chris Paul.

Depending on what you consider more “important” may determine who deserves to be ahead of the other. If winning is most imperative, the answer is probably either Rondo or Parker. If scoring is the better measure, then it’s definitely Rose. If doing the most with little around him, then it must be Nash. If it's all about playmaking, then you probably would envision it to be Paul.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, I guess I will go with Rajon Rondo.
8 Since this is the No. 8 spot, it doesn’t really matter who I place here because let’s face it, whoever is chosen probably wouldn’t be a serious candidate at this time. It seems nationally that Derrick Rose is getting serious consideration as an MVP candidate because of his exceptional scoring and dazzling play.
9 After his remarkable return to Cleveland (38 points, eight assists in just 30 minutes), LeBron James managed to sneak into my MVP rankings. It’s very possible that the Heat’s disappointing start to the season may help LeBron’s MVP status if Miami becomes the dominant team everyone assumed it would be.
10 I just decided pick a name out of a hat between these guys for this slot: Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Jameer Nelson, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Danny Granger.

Nash was pulled from the drawing. They are celebrating in Phoenix, and in all of Canada.


Who do you think is the MVP right now?
Who do you think is the MVP right now?
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