As we near the half-way mark of the 2018-2019 NBA season, the MVP race is starting to pick up steam. Although the MVP picture will definitely look vastly different from the one I'm presenting today, it is still great to see whos at the head of the pack.
1. James Harden, Houston Rockets
Season Stats: 33.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 8.6 APG, 2.1 SPG, 44 FG%, 4.8 3PM, 9.4 FTM
The golden child of the analytical age has ended the first half of the season en fuego and has been the engine behind Houston's finely tuned machine. Harden is beginning to shake any negative stigmas surrounding his name as he plays the fine writing of the NBA rulebook to his advantage. Despite Houston's early struggles, the Rockets have fought their way back into the top of the western conference under the offensive wizardry of James Harden, as they have won 9 of their last 10 contests and show no signs of slowing down.
Over his past 20 games, Harden is averaging a league-best 36.6 points per game and in his past 10 games, his scoring average has been north of 40 points per game! For me and many others, what bumped Harden up to number one on the MVP ladder was his marvellous 44-point triple-double outing against the Golden State Warriors in which he silenced the champions with an improbable game-winner in overtime.
James Harden has been the NBA's most dangerous source of offensive production as has been putting up Kobe Bryant-esque scoring numbers and as of the new year, is definitely deserving of his second MVP award. Harden is not only creating his case for his second MVP award but also is creating a case as one of the greatest two-guards of all time.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Season Stats: 26 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 59 FG%, 6.2 FTM
Another year, another leap for Giannis. The emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the perfect Cinderella story and it is almost storybook-like that by year 6 the Greek Freak is contending for the NBA's most prestigious award. Once again, Antetokounmpo seems to have improved significantly as he has become a much more dominant rebounder and efficient inside scorer. Although he still lacks a consistent jump shot, his dominance in every other area of the court leads to winning and bookmarks him for a spot in the MVP discussion.
Antetokounmpo may be the most physically dominant player in the NBA as even Shaquille O'Neal handed down his title of "Superman" to the young Buck. The Greek Freak has developed into exactly what his nickname implies - a freak of nature. His combination of length, agility, strength and intensity combine to create a frightening mismatch on almost every possession. Giannis is leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a league-best 27-10 record and the freak himself is on pace to beat Dwight Howard's record for dunks made in a season.
If Giannis were to win the MVP (which is very likely), he would be one of the youngest of all-time to do so alongside players such as Derrick Rose, LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Even if Giannis does fall short of the MVP award this season, don't count him out for in the future because he's ready to take over the league.
3. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
Season Stats: 27.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 50 FG%, 36 3P%, 6.5 FTM
Whether Leonard resigns with the Toronto Raptors following this season remains an unknown but his status as an MVP candidate has been confirmed! Mr. "Shades of Jordan" himself has been stellar and proven that he didn't need Popovich's system to be the superstar that he is. The two-time defensive player of the year and finals MVP recipient finished in 2nd place in the 2016 MVP voting to Stephen Curry who was unanimously voted for 1st.
After making his way out of San Antonio to many fan's disapproval, Leonard has won hearts back as he has been the superstar that Toronto has yearned for. With Leonard on deck, the Raptors are on set to make the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history. Leonard recently scored a career-high 45 points en route to beating the Utah Jazz and barring injury or extended rest, I doubt he slows down from there and project will remain at the top of the discussion for the MVP award.
4. Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
Season Stats: 27 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.2 SPG, 45 FG%, 38 3P%, 3.4 3PM
After being embarrassed by jingling Joe Ingles and the up-and-coming Utah Jazz in the first round of the 2018 playoffs, Paul George has played with a chip on his shoulder in his resurging season with the Thunder. George has been on a tear to start the year off and is cementing his status as one of the best two-way players in recent memory as he has put up career-highs in several areas. George has answered fans questions about whether he can be a number one option with some absurd scoring nights such as back-to-back 43 point games and a breakout 47 point showing with 15 boards.
Not only has George been an elite shot creator, but he has also been a lockdown defender as he has led the Thunder's stifling defense to 25 wins in the west (2nd place) and he should deserve consideration for the defensive player of the year award on top of the MVP award.
5. -TIE-
The difference between these five players in terms of creating a case for the MVP award was too close for me to call and I wanted to give all of them recognition for their incredible starts to the 2018-2019 season.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
1. James Harden, Houston Rockets
Season Stats: 33.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 8.6 APG, 2.1 SPG, 44 FG%, 4.8 3PM, 9.4 FTM
The golden child of the analytical age has ended the first half of the season en fuego and has been the engine behind Houston's finely tuned machine. Harden is beginning to shake any negative stigmas surrounding his name as he plays the fine writing of the NBA rulebook to his advantage. Despite Houston's early struggles, the Rockets have fought their way back into the top of the western conference under the offensive wizardry of James Harden, as they have won 9 of their last 10 contests and show no signs of slowing down.
Over his past 20 games, Harden is averaging a league-best 36.6 points per game and in his past 10 games, his scoring average has been north of 40 points per game! For me and many others, what bumped Harden up to number one on the MVP ladder was his marvellous 44-point triple-double outing against the Golden State Warriors in which he silenced the champions with an improbable game-winner in overtime.
James Harden has been the NBA's most dangerous source of offensive production as has been putting up Kobe Bryant-esque scoring numbers and as of the new year, is definitely deserving of his second MVP award. Harden is not only creating his case for his second MVP award but also is creating a case as one of the greatest two-guards of all time.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Season Stats: 26 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 59 FG%, 6.2 FTM
Another year, another leap for Giannis. The emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the perfect Cinderella story and it is almost storybook-like that by year 6 the Greek Freak is contending for the NBA's most prestigious award. Once again, Antetokounmpo seems to have improved significantly as he has become a much more dominant rebounder and efficient inside scorer. Although he still lacks a consistent jump shot, his dominance in every other area of the court leads to winning and bookmarks him for a spot in the MVP discussion.
Antetokounmpo may be the most physically dominant player in the NBA as even Shaquille O'Neal handed down his title of "Superman" to the young Buck. The Greek Freak has developed into exactly what his nickname implies - a freak of nature. His combination of length, agility, strength and intensity combine to create a frightening mismatch on almost every possession. Giannis is leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a league-best 27-10 record and the freak himself is on pace to beat Dwight Howard's record for dunks made in a season.
If Giannis were to win the MVP (which is very likely), he would be one of the youngest of all-time to do so alongside players such as Derrick Rose, LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Even if Giannis does fall short of the MVP award this season, don't count him out for in the future because he's ready to take over the league.
3. Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
Season Stats: 27.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 50 FG%, 36 3P%, 6.5 FTM
Whether Leonard resigns with the Toronto Raptors following this season remains an unknown but his status as an MVP candidate has been confirmed! Mr. "Shades of Jordan" himself has been stellar and proven that he didn't need Popovich's system to be the superstar that he is. The two-time defensive player of the year and finals MVP recipient finished in 2nd place in the 2016 MVP voting to Stephen Curry who was unanimously voted for 1st.
After making his way out of San Antonio to many fan's disapproval, Leonard has won hearts back as he has been the superstar that Toronto has yearned for. With Leonard on deck, the Raptors are on set to make the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history. Leonard recently scored a career-high 45 points en route to beating the Utah Jazz and barring injury or extended rest, I doubt he slows down from there and project will remain at the top of the discussion for the MVP award.
4. Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
Season Stats: 27 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 2.2 SPG, 45 FG%, 38 3P%, 3.4 3PM
After being embarrassed by jingling Joe Ingles and the up-and-coming Utah Jazz in the first round of the 2018 playoffs, Paul George has played with a chip on his shoulder in his resurging season with the Thunder. George has been on a tear to start the year off and is cementing his status as one of the best two-way players in recent memory as he has put up career-highs in several areas. George has answered fans questions about whether he can be a number one option with some absurd scoring nights such as back-to-back 43 point games and a breakout 47 point showing with 15 boards.
Not only has George been an elite shot creator, but he has also been a lockdown defender as he has led the Thunder's stifling defense to 25 wins in the west (2nd place) and he should deserve consideration for the defensive player of the year award on top of the MVP award.
5. -TIE-
The difference between these five players in terms of creating a case for the MVP award was too close for me to call and I wanted to give all of them recognition for their incredible starts to the 2018-2019 season.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
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