Post by jhopduck on May 1, 2009 13:42:26 GMT -8
With the end of the regular season days away from coming to a close, it's time to take a look at which player's should be considered for the MVP. This award traditionally has been awarded to the player who has been the most dominant player in the game. But recently the awarded has been handed to the best player of a good team. There has been much debate as to whether the MVP should be given to the best player even on a bad team, or if team success should be factored into the award.
This year seemed to be a year dominated by the big men. If you look at the leaders in points and rebounds the category is dominated by centers and forwards. There are still a few teams that are battling for the last couple spots in the east and west divisions to make the playoffs. Will this result factor into the MVP voting done at season's end? Who is the most deserving player? Below we will take a look at the 5 players I feel are most deserving for the award and some of this season's accomplishments.
Michael Jordan-SG-Chicago Bulls
The reigning MVP from last season once again has led a great team to a solid record. Likely to finish second in the East, his team is poised to make a serious playoff run. Jordan was named player of the week four times this year, and player of the month once. Jordan has yet to miss a game and is averaging:
MPG: 39.3 (5th in NBA)
PPG: 33.1 (1st)
RPG: 7.3
APG: 5.9
SPG: 2.5 (1st)
BPG: 0.4
TOPG: 3.3
FG %: .502 (6th)
FT %: .786
3P %: .425
Hakeem "the dream" Olajuwon-C-Rockets
In a year dominated by big men, Hakeem has been one of the best. Playing on the second best team in the west, he has been dominate at the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Olajuwon has been the player of the week three times this year, and at age 29, the Rockets still have several years of this type of production to look forward to. Olajuwon has never won an MVP award, let's take a look at his numbers:
MPG: 34.4
PPG: 28.1 (5th)
RPG: 12.2 (4th)
APG: 4.1
SPG: 1.7
BPG: 4.4 (1st)
TOPG: 2.4
FG %: .514 (3rd)
FT %: .755
3P %: .000
David "the admiral" Robinson-C-Spurs
The Admiral will have his work cut out for him down the stretch trying to get his team into the playoffs. They are currently sitting in the 8th position in the West, and the Timberwolves are a half game back on their heels. Robinson was player of the week four times this year, and twice was player of the month. He's a great player that leads by example, and like Olajuwon get's it done on both ends of the floor. Robinson also has never won an MVP award but has the numbers to support his claim:
MPG: 36.4
PPG: 29.4 (3rd)
RPG: 11.6 (10th)
APG: 4.8
SPG: 1.5
BPG: 3.0 (3rd)
TOPG: 2.9
FG %: .499
FT %: .695
3P %: .000
Sir Charles Barkley-PF-Suns
The best player on the best team in the West. Barkley has led his team all year long, but the addition of Derrick Coleman really made this team one of the best if not the best frontcourts in the NBA. Charles has never won this award and is in a contract year, and that has prompted his play even a notch higher. The 29 year old veteran is a tough player and at only 6'6" tall is able to tangle with anyone in the post. He did not win any player of the week or month awards, but his level of play has been consistent all year long. Here's Chuck's numbers:
MPG: 33.9
PPG: 25.6 (9th)
RPG: 12.1 (6th)
APG: 4.6
SPG: 1.6
BPG: 1.2
TOPG: 3.7
FG %: .506 (4th)
FT %: .742
3P %: .414
Shaquille O'Neal-C-Magic
The sky is the limit with this talented young player. Easily one of the brightest young players to come through the league in a long time. At only 20 years of age this player is averaging 27 and 12, with 52 double doubles. Already this year he has been player of the week, month, and rookie of the month twice. His team is in 6th place in the east right now, but are only seperated by 1.5 games with the 8th seed. He may not win the MVP this year, but I have a feeling this won't be the first time he is mentioned in his career. Shaquille by the numbers:
MPG: 34.2
PPG: 27.7 (6th)
RPG: 12.2 (3rd)
APG: 2.7
SPG: 1.2
BPG: 1.8
TOPG: 3.0
FG %: .520 (2nd)
FT %: .620
3P %: .000
There will be some that may feel snubbed, others like Shawn Kemp, Dominique Wilkins, and Karl Malone deserve mention. But honestly one of the top 3 listed above will likely take home the hardware. Feel free to add in any opinions in our comments section below, and of course be sure to vote on this article.
This year seemed to be a year dominated by the big men. If you look at the leaders in points and rebounds the category is dominated by centers and forwards. There are still a few teams that are battling for the last couple spots in the east and west divisions to make the playoffs. Will this result factor into the MVP voting done at season's end? Who is the most deserving player? Below we will take a look at the 5 players I feel are most deserving for the award and some of this season's accomplishments.
Michael Jordan-SG-Chicago Bulls
The reigning MVP from last season once again has led a great team to a solid record. Likely to finish second in the East, his team is poised to make a serious playoff run. Jordan was named player of the week four times this year, and player of the month once. Jordan has yet to miss a game and is averaging:
MPG: 39.3 (5th in NBA)
PPG: 33.1 (1st)
RPG: 7.3
APG: 5.9
SPG: 2.5 (1st)
BPG: 0.4
TOPG: 3.3
FG %: .502 (6th)
FT %: .786
3P %: .425
Hakeem "the dream" Olajuwon-C-Rockets
In a year dominated by big men, Hakeem has been one of the best. Playing on the second best team in the west, he has been dominate at the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Olajuwon has been the player of the week three times this year, and at age 29, the Rockets still have several years of this type of production to look forward to. Olajuwon has never won an MVP award, let's take a look at his numbers:
MPG: 34.4
PPG: 28.1 (5th)
RPG: 12.2 (4th)
APG: 4.1
SPG: 1.7
BPG: 4.4 (1st)
TOPG: 2.4
FG %: .514 (3rd)
FT %: .755
3P %: .000
David "the admiral" Robinson-C-Spurs
The Admiral will have his work cut out for him down the stretch trying to get his team into the playoffs. They are currently sitting in the 8th position in the West, and the Timberwolves are a half game back on their heels. Robinson was player of the week four times this year, and twice was player of the month. He's a great player that leads by example, and like Olajuwon get's it done on both ends of the floor. Robinson also has never won an MVP award but has the numbers to support his claim:
MPG: 36.4
PPG: 29.4 (3rd)
RPG: 11.6 (10th)
APG: 4.8
SPG: 1.5
BPG: 3.0 (3rd)
TOPG: 2.9
FG %: .499
FT %: .695
3P %: .000
Sir Charles Barkley-PF-Suns
The best player on the best team in the West. Barkley has led his team all year long, but the addition of Derrick Coleman really made this team one of the best if not the best frontcourts in the NBA. Charles has never won this award and is in a contract year, and that has prompted his play even a notch higher. The 29 year old veteran is a tough player and at only 6'6" tall is able to tangle with anyone in the post. He did not win any player of the week or month awards, but his level of play has been consistent all year long. Here's Chuck's numbers:
MPG: 33.9
PPG: 25.6 (9th)
RPG: 12.1 (6th)
APG: 4.6
SPG: 1.6
BPG: 1.2
TOPG: 3.7
FG %: .506 (4th)
FT %: .742
3P %: .414
Shaquille O'Neal-C-Magic
The sky is the limit with this talented young player. Easily one of the brightest young players to come through the league in a long time. At only 20 years of age this player is averaging 27 and 12, with 52 double doubles. Already this year he has been player of the week, month, and rookie of the month twice. His team is in 6th place in the east right now, but are only seperated by 1.5 games with the 8th seed. He may not win the MVP this year, but I have a feeling this won't be the first time he is mentioned in his career. Shaquille by the numbers:
MPG: 34.2
PPG: 27.7 (6th)
RPG: 12.2 (3rd)
APG: 2.7
SPG: 1.2
BPG: 1.8
TOPG: 3.0
FG %: .520 (2nd)
FT %: .620
3P %: .000
There will be some that may feel snubbed, others like Shawn Kemp, Dominique Wilkins, and Karl Malone deserve mention. But honestly one of the top 3 listed above will likely take home the hardware. Feel free to add in any opinions in our comments section below, and of course be sure to vote on this article.
