In addition to being one of 2017’s most entertaining games – and a potential playoff preview – the matchup between the Rockets and Spurs on Monday night may have represented a turning point in the 2017 NBA MVP race.
For most of the season, James Harden and Russell Westbrook have been viewed as the frontrunners for the award, for good reason. Harden ranks third in the league in scoring and first in assists, while Westbrook is vying to becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over the course of a full season.
On Monday night though, Harden squared off with Kawhi Leonard, who has flown under the radar for much of the 2016/17 campaign. Leonard proved in the Spurs’ dramatic win over Houston that he deserves to be in the discussion with Harden, Westbrook, and the rest of this year’s contenders for MVP. Leonard’s incredible 39-point night – his fourth straight game of 30+ points – was capped by a last-minute sequence that saw him hit a go-ahead three at one end of the court, then block Harden’s layup attempt at the other end.
While the MVP buzz for Leonard is growing, and Harden and Westbrook remain excellent candidates, it’s not just a three-man race. Over in the Eastern Conference, LeBron James is having one of his best seasons for the Cavaliers (No. 1 seed), Isaiah Thomas is averaging nearly 30 points per game for the Celtics (No. 2), and John Wall has established new career highs in PPG (22.6) and APG (10.8) for the Wizards (No. 3).
Even Kevin Durant, who is currently out with a knee injury, deserves a look — he has been more efficient than ever in Golden State, making 53.7% of his shots this season for the Warriors, though his injury will likely take him out of the running.
What do you think? We’ve still got more than a month left in the 2016/17 season, so things could certainly change in the coming weeks. But if the season ended today, who would be your choice for 2017’s NBA MVP? Vote in our poll, and weigh in below in the comments section with your thoughts.
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What about ZAZA
What about Metta
It’s a conspiracy man
I’m a homer so obviously I voted Isaiah. That said, in actuality, I think James Harden definitely has the best shot to win it.
Criteria: IF you take player X of the team, do they make the playoffs?
LeBron – No
Harden – No
Westbrook – No
Leonard – Yes
Thomas – Yes
Wall – Yes
East is weak. West is strong, but Spurs would still make the playoffs w/out Leonard.
How would the Cavs not make it with Kyrie and Love lol
This also applies to @123Redsox, but look at any game where LeBron doesn’t play for the Cavs. Granted he’s a huge part of that roster, so losing him will affect the gameplan and strategy, but the Cavs are terrible even with Kyrie and Love if LeBron isn’t playing.
You are crazy to think the Celtics would make it without Thomas. The Celtics have no other offense. You are crazy to think the Cavs would not make it without LeBron. They still have kyrie, and love offensively and great depth.
Celtics wouldn’t make it without isaiah. As someone else said, they couldn’t score.
Cavs definitely don’t make it without lebron. Over the last 3 years, they’re statistically one of the worst teams in the league when he isn’t on the floor, even when Kyrie amd Kevin Love are. That team is terrible defensively, especially after the moves they’ve made, without LeBron
Obviously no way OKC makes it. But I don’t think the Spurs would be there this year guaranteed. Kawhi Leonard is the Spurs. Without him, they either barely make the playoffs, or are on the outside looking in/rebuilding. He is almost averaging 50-40-90, and has taken over a lot of 4th quarters throughout the season, leading to wins. He’s also obviously one of the best defenders in the league…
I don’t see the Wizards getting in for sure without John Wall. They’d be one of those teams fighting ,but I think that would significantly hurt them defensively, and they’d better stay healthy in that scenario.
Without Harden, I could see Houston getting in this year
You’re saying the Spurs couldn’t beat Denver for the last playoff spot if they didn’t have Leonard?
I’d say as long as they have Pops, they’re in the playoffs.
This makes my head hurt…
Westbrook shouldn’t even be in the conversation. He’s not a good player. He’s a wannabe kobe who can’t win. Grats on all your triple doubles, how many more would you have if turnovers were included? Also, how many of those triple doubles resulted in loses? The league loves hero ball for some reason, despite it being both inferior and boring. Westbrook is a joke. He wouldn’t even be a starter on the warriors.
Dude they’re 24-6 when he has triple doubles and have a losing record when he doesn’t. Don’t be so salty just cause your a Warriors fan.
Beat me to the punch on the record when he has a triple double…Westbrook is stat chasing, but they’re winning those games, and until the trade they made, he didn’t have much spacing on the floor (not that he has much more now), making it more impressive. If he stays in the 6 spot or higher in the west, I have to give him MVP if he finishes the season like this
Then reality hits and you realize that LeBron is averaging nearly 5 turnovers per game too and that Westbrook is the only reason the thunder are in the playoff race and that turnovers occur when you constantly have the ball in your hands because you are one of three quality starting players on your team (Adams and oladipo)
How are you gonna say Westbrook wouldn’t start on the Warriors? Currys arguably the bet point guard in the league, every other Point guard in the league won’t be starting on the Warriors… And Hypothetically Curry could play the 2 with Thompson moving to the 3 then have Durant be a stretch 4 and Draymond plays center. Westbrook could most definitely start on the Warriors.
Lol
Well Westbrook wouldn’t have to play hero ball if a certain player on the Warriors didn’t jump ship from his old team.
And for the record, I’m not saying KD didn’t have a right to try and win a ring elsewhere. He had every right to go to another team if he thought he could do better elsewhere. Doesn’t mean I respect his decision. And it’s not like Durant left Westbrook with a cast of All-Stars in OKC. And the league loves hero ball because its more impressive when a single star is able to carry his team rather than a collection of stars doing so. But I guess its easy to be ignorant when your favorite team is the beneficiary of a player deciding he can’t do enough to win a championship on his own (or at least with another star player) and can only win a championship if he’s playing with three other All-Star players.
Currently have Westbrook, and will likely hold that if OKC stays in the 6th seed or higher, and he continues what he has done. 2nd: Kawhi Leonard 3rd: LeBron James 4th: Kevin Durant 5th: Kyle Lowry 6th: Isaiah Thomas 7th: James Harden
Obviously, KD and Lowry are now injured, so they’ll be off that list. Probably have to look at John Wall there. And if GS stays in the 1 seed, probably Steph Curry as well. Also, if the Heat make the 6th seed, Goran Dragic likely should be at the end of that…so,
Westbrook, Kawhi, LeBron, Isaiah, Harden, Wall, Dragic
If OKC finishes 7th or lower though, I have Kawhi, LeBron, Westbrook, Isaiah, Harden….
Tell me how an MVP loses to three consecutive lottery teams? And the only competitive game of those 3 your MVP went 12-36.
That’s right. HE MISSED 24 SHOTS.
“MVP. MVP”.
Construct the argument for me.
A lot more parity in the league this year. Nobody is bad. It’s all about matchups, and everyone is a lot closer to each other right now. Mavs have also been really good recently, and since Wesley Matthews stopped taking and missing so many shots. OKC has almost no spacing, and they will still win 45+ games in the West. Westbrook has a historic usage percentage right now. The fact he is shooting 42% is actually pretty impressive for what he has to do…
That being said, you clearly didn’t read the post. I have Westbrook as MVP only if OKC finishes 6th or higher. Otherwise, I have him 3rd, and I have Kawhi Leonard as MVP
Is there a reason this comment is still pending? There’s no insults, cursing, or anything else in there that seems to be an issue. Am I missing something
All the attention on defense is on him. Who else is going to take shots? Andre Roberson, no way that’s why he has to keep shooting.
Bruh there is no world where Harden is 7th in a MVP race. I can tell you’re hating because you put Lowry and Durant ahead of him when the seasons aren’t even close. Westbrook and Leonard and Harden are a 3 headed dragon and any of them can win it. LeBron and Isaiah are having MVP caliber seasons but aren’t quite as historic as the other 3. Outside of those 5 no one else should be in the discussion. The gap is way too large especially with Durant being injured
Kyle lowry leads all guards in real plus minus and l believe he also leads in true shooting. Personally don’t think toronto is anywhere close to where they were without him. Isaiah gets hidden on defense, similarly to how Harden does with Houston, but Harden also has many more offensive weapons. IT has also been unconscionable in the 4th quarter this year, elevating his team to the 2 seed. Therefore, I have him slightly in front of Harden. I originally had Harden over him around the mid season mark
As for what Durant did before his injury, that speaks for itself. Only reason he isn’t higher than 4 was the team he is playing on
Lebron is the MVP and has been for the last decade. He has lead his team to 6 straight finals appearances soon to be 7. Nobody has done that since Russell’s Celtics. People get too caught up in what happens in January and February and not the results in May and June. Isiah, Harden, and Westbrook are all having incredible seasons and they will also all be watching from home while Lebron is on the court during the finals.
Finally, a voice of reason.
I don’t like LeBron the person. Not my style. I lost a ton of respect for him when he Took His Talents you know where.
But LeBron the player is out-of-this world on BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR, in Transition and in the locker room.
I’m so sick of the lazy, stat-counting, click-bating media gushing over Westbrook and Harden. Both are outstanding offensive forces, Harden a far more officient version.
But this conversation is ridiculous. Tell me who helps win basketball games more than LeBron? Russ Westbrook just went on the road and lost HANDILY to 3 LOTTERY TEAMS @POR, @PHX, @DAL.
That’s an MVP?
You guys voting for Russell are seriously Not Smart about NBA Basketball.
Oh by the way, same argument for Kawhi Leonard, he gets my #2 vote in a very close race with LeBron.
And then it’s Pick ’em for 3-4-5. It’s LeBron, Kawhi and everybody else having really fun times with ridiculous usage rates.
Yea but it’s not a postseason award
Tell that to the people who vote for the MVP. Look at Anthony Davis’ or DeMarcus Cousins’ stats and tell me how they aren’t getting more MVP consideration? They’re both putting up great numbers, MVP caliber numbers, and their teams would not even be close to competing without them (Pelicans and even the Kings since the Kings were only playoff threats because of Cousins). And the main reason they aren’t getting MVP consideration is because their teams aren’t in playoff position. If either the Pelicans or Kings (if they still had Cousins) were a top 4 seed in the West, I guarantee you that they would win MVP.
Also Russ doesn’t have anyone on his team near the caliber of Kyrie or love.
He had KD for 7 years before he ran him off so yea he did
Yea the thunder were a top 3 in the tough west when he did have KD.
And how many titles did he win and championship appearances did he make
That’s not the argument the argument is about the regular season
That makes him better than LeBron and Kawhi?
LeBron James is unequivocally the best player in the world by far; 1000%. But that isn’t what this award is. I agree he should normally win it this year. His numbers are ridiculous, and he’s coasting. That team is terrible without him on the floor. Still I think what Westbrook and Kawhi are doing with so much less is slightly more valuable this year, which is why I have LeBron 3rd this year, as of now (assuming OKC finishes 6th. If they finish lower, I have LeBron 2nd, ahead of Westbrook)
And like I said in the first comment where will Kawhi and Westbrook be in June during the finals. Unless the spurs are very fortunate and Durant isn’t back they have little to no chance of getting to the finals. Westbrook regardless will be sitting at home during the finals. Lebron will be on the court during the finals how is that not the most value when you consistently lead your team to championship series. As far as doing it with less that’s not part of the award either. The award isn’t for the player that does the most with the least it’s for the player that gives the most value to his team and that is without a doubt Lebron.
There is no clear cut definition of what MVP is supposed to be. There are multiple different iterations of standards every year. It doesn’t always go to the best player in the league. Karl Malone and David Robinson wouldn’t have ever won theirs, if it did, regardless of how great they were.
Also, the finals doesn’t have anything to do with this award. It’s a regular season award. I don’t know what you’re trying to say with that. And I’m not totally discounting LeBron James. He is either 2 or 3 on my list this year for this trivial award that doesn’t matter to him. He has 4 of them right now, by the way. Honestly, LeBron got way more robbed the year Derrick Rose won than he’d be this year if Kawhi or Westbrook does. As I said, i definitely agree he is putting up an incredible season that would and should normally be worthy of MVP this year. I also think he could have had an even bigger year if he wanted, but that isn’t his focus. I just think Kawhi and Westbrook should be acknowledged for what they’re doing even more this year, assuming OKC can get the 6 seed.
….I agree that the Cavs would be terrible without LeBron, as I mentioned in one of my above comments directed at someone else. I just think OKC would be even worse without Westbrook, and it’s amazing that they have a chance to be a 6 seed in the West this year. Spurs would likely be a borderline playoff team, but b/c of Kawhi, they could possibly end up with the 1 seed. He has been incredible
I 100% agree that LeBron got robbed when Rose won the MVP. Every basketball analyst/commentator basically said that LeBron would’ve won if the writers didn’t get bored of giving the award to him. Rose’s numbers were good that year, don’t get me wrong, but they were not deserving of MVP.
It’s the “what’s the definition of ‘valuable'” semantic debate.
Which is INSANE
I voted for Wall because I like the Wizards, but its between Westbrook(avg. a triple double), Harden(great season plus tons of 3’s), and LeBron(just great). MVP is most valuable player, and I think Westbrook has been the most valuable to his team.
Idk how Durant could possibly be the most valuable player when his team had a better record last year before he was on it..
While I agree that the 4th qtr from Leonard was great, fact is, the Spurs almost lost at home. Harden had a better stat line than Leonard in the game, same points less assists for Leonard, less efficient shooting for Leonard. Not sure why they are trying to hype it up. It was a hell of a game. Houston lost, but Harden had the better stats.
MVPs rise up when it matters most especially in deficits in the 4th. Stats dont tell you the full story.. what happened when harden was gaurded by Kawhi and Kawhi was leading his team back from a double digit deficit? Harden didn’t rise up and say I want to gaurd Leonard.. Leonard is this year’s MVP ..
Yes Harden had the better stats, but Harden also only plays on offense. The Rockets hide him on most plays on the least threatening offensive player on the opposing team. Kawhi gets tasked with guarding at least the best wing player on the opposing team and likely gets assigned the best player on the opposing team during crunch time. Its more impressive that Kawhi puts up the stats that he does, when he’s also asked to be his team’s defender, than Harden who is only asked to run his team’s offense.
Harden, and it’s not even close. The award is for Most Valuable Player, not Top Player Statistically or Most Respected Player.
Yea Russ provides a ton of value by doing everything. Points,rebounds, assists you can’t be much more valuable than that
So please explain how Westbrook isn’t more valuable to the Thunder than Harden is to the Rockets? Or how Kawhi Leonard, who is expected to be his team’s best offensive AND defensive player every night is less valuable than Harden who is expected to be his team’s best offensive player but doesn’t even know what defense is?
Anyone who compares team record to individual game is missing the point. This isn’t a team award.
Basically it boils down to this. If you had to start a team today, based off this years performance alone, who would you pick to build it around?
Which one of these guys brings more value as a player? Don’t include financials, don’t judge based on how the teammates play or the team’s record.
I’d pick LeBron, just because he can do so much on both ends. This is coming from a Warriors fan.
I’m my opinion MVP counts for both sides of the ball, and based on that I would have Durant, Kawhi, and Lebron here. Based on that, even though I’m a strong Spurs fan, I would put Lebron first, then Kawhi, and finally Durant. But this year is honestly up in the air, which options mentioned above great candidates too. I feel like this is the first year in a while where the MVP isn’t a clear winner. It will be interesting to see who wins.
One point that seems to be glossed over is how Curry won his first MVP over Harden due to the “best player on the best team” arguement. Afterwards many people thought it was a mistake and said Harden got robbed. Fast forward to this year and you have the same situation kinda with Lebron and Kawhi (warriors don’t have a candidate this year after Durant’s injury). Here’s to hoping they don’t make the same mistake twice. Harden/Westbrook deserve it and if Kawhi keeps up his pace he could get one too soon. LeBron is more of a finals mvp candidate at this point in his career and I don’t think he will be able to sustain the stats going forward to keep up with this next generation of stars. Curry just seems like Nash 2.0 with better range and consistenty and I doubt he gets another with the guys he plays with now
Curry was by far the better choice over Harden that year
How can anybody leave out Giannis????look at the mans averages. Points..dimes..blocks…steals…rebounds…he leads the bucks in all…how is he not the most valuable player on a team?
Simple, the Bucks aren’t in playoff position. Not that I agree with the concept, but it’s why star players on non-playoff teams don’t get consideration. Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins (before his trade to the Pelicans; so Kings-era Cousins) put up star numbers, but never got serious consideration because their teams weren’t a top 5 team in their conference.
When you count in turnovers harden should be out since he has the most in the league & most by any player in a single game.