[ChrispyParticipant]

 I know it is early in the year, and I am admittedly lacking in games watched as live in Guatemala now and there aren`t many oportunities to watch the NBA. That said, Kyle Lowry is my early MVP. I am not a Raptros fan by any means, but I am a fan of winning ball, and Lowry expemplifies that. Tough defender, floor general (cliche but true!) and hardnosed, clutch scorer.Follow me here- Lowry is averaging 20 pts on 45%, 7.7 AST on an almost 4-1 Ast to TO ratio and to top it off 5 Rbs and 1.5 stls. All the while without budding star Derozan in the lineup. Oh yeah, Raptors are 24-7. Just saying. What do you all think? Am I way off base?

[OhCanada-Participant]

As a Raptors fan I disagree. Its a fair assumption and he is definitely deserving the recognition but to me the bottom line is the West is way to deep for someone out of the East to deserve the award including Lebron. 

There’s lots of guys you can make a case for in the West. Gasol, Harden, Curry, Davis. They are deep.

Out of the East you could make either Lowry or Wall your MVP you choose. I would take Wall because I don’t believe Washington wins without him. With Toronto as long as Lowry or Derozan are in the lineup they should be fine in the reg season.

 

 

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

As a Raptors fan I disagree. Its a fair assumption and he is definitely deserving the recognition but to me the bottom line is the West is way to deep for someone out of the East to deserve the award including Lebron. 

There’s lots of guys you can make a case for in the West. Gasol, Harden, Curry, Davis. They are deep.

Out of the East you could make either Lowry or Wall your MVP you choose. I would take Wall because I don’t believe Washington wins without him. With Toronto as long as Lowry or Derozan are in the lineup they should be fine in the reg season.

 

 

 

 

[Toronto16Participant]

As a Raptors fan I can say that you^^ are not a true Raptors fan, The Raptors have an 11-2 record against the West, so it’s not like we aren’t beating the competition put before us. Not to mention we are playing without our leading scorer DeMar DeRozan. Lowry is a legit MVP candidate behind Harden and Curry.

[Toronto16Participant]

As a Raptors fan I can say that you^^ are not a true Raptors fan, The Raptors have an 11-2 record against the West, so it’s not like we aren’t beating the competition put before us. Not to mention we are playing without our leading scorer DeMar DeRozan. Lowry is a legit MVP candidate behind Harden and Curry.

[BostonCs FanParticipant]

Lowry is surely in the discussion for MVP thus far. I think we all are shock with the raptors holding the number one seed in the east over a star packed Cavs and Bulls team. What’s more astonishing is that they are winning games without there starting all star guard Derozen. There’s no doubt that Lowry is the leader of this team and his play on the court is showing it, especially with the absence of Derozen.

[BostonCs FanParticipant]

Lowry is surely in the discussion for MVP thus far. I think we all are shock with the raptors holding the number one seed in the east over a star packed Cavs and Bulls team. What’s more astonishing is that they are winning games without there starting all star guard Derozen. There’s no doubt that Lowry is the leader of this team and his play on the court is showing it, especially with the absence of Derozen.

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

That’s a real under-the-radar guy, but it makes sense. The Raptors have defintely found a way to leverage his skills efficient on-court play and wins. 

Curry has to be the favorite right now, with Harden coming in second. If LeBron puts the Cavs on his back for a stretch in the middle of the season, he might be considered also. I think Durant has been too injured to be considered, especially to this point. Westbrook is a possibility, but he has been injured a bit also. Wade is putting up gaudy numbers, but the Heat are struggling. 

I think Lowry is on the same level as Wall, Butler, Cousins, and Davis. These four guys are four of the best two-way players in basketball this year. Wall and Butler are both playing excellent basketball and leading their teams to wins, but it doesn’t seem like they have ascended to MVP levels. Davis and Cousins are both putting up ridiculous numbers, but their skills aren’t being leveraged into wins (due largely to teammates and coaching). You could make a case for any one of these guys due to their stats, team success, or the "best-player-on-the-court-in-most-games" factor. But with the way Harden and Curry are playing offensively, the way they have both sured up their weaknesses as a defender, and the way their teams are winning, I think it has to be one of those two. 

 

 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

That’s a real under-the-radar guy, but it makes sense. The Raptors have defintely found a way to leverage his skills efficient on-court play and wins. 

Curry has to be the favorite right now, with Harden coming in second. If LeBron puts the Cavs on his back for a stretch in the middle of the season, he might be considered also. I think Durant has been too injured to be considered, especially to this point. Westbrook is a possibility, but he has been injured a bit also. Wade is putting up gaudy numbers, but the Heat are struggling. 

I think Lowry is on the same level as Wall, Butler, Cousins, and Davis. These four guys are four of the best two-way players in basketball this year. Wall and Butler are both playing excellent basketball and leading their teams to wins, but it doesn’t seem like they have ascended to MVP levels. Davis and Cousins are both putting up ridiculous numbers, but their skills aren’t being leveraged into wins (due largely to teammates and coaching). You could make a case for any one of these guys due to their stats, team success, or the "best-player-on-the-court-in-most-games" factor. But with the way Harden and Curry are playing offensively, the way they have both sured up their weaknesses as a defender, and the way their teams are winning, I think it has to be one of those two. 

 

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

he’s among the top 10 candidates for mvp…he’s on the most consistent streak of his career..he’s averaging 24 pts on the road and 16 at home, the largest difference in the nba this season…

but i think if the season ended today the award will go to anthony davis or marc gasol,with steph curry 3rd & james harden 4th….

looking at the raptors record,they’ve had a pretty easy schedule so far….they dont have that many impressive wins..

they have won 24 games, but most of those wins were against teams with losing records like utah(twice),76’ers,knicks,magic(3 times),pistons,nuggets(twice),lakers,pacers,bucks,celtics,kings and suns…

or against teams that were missing key players like okc,memphis and atlanta (twice) without horford….

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

 I like Gasol and Davis a lot, but I don’t think you can say either are ahead of Curry or Harden. Gasol is scoring more points than he ever has, but if you dig a little, you find that some of the less obvious parts to his game have become a bit weaker. He is scoring a respectable 20PPG and is a great passer, but he is still only an average rebouder.  His defense at the rim this year is worse (allowing a very pedestrian 50%) and his pick and roll defense has never been great. If your argument is "he is the best player on one of the best teams in the west," then Curry or Harden could be ahead of them. In fact, the Grizzles’ success this year could be just as easily attributed to Conley Jr., or to the improved outside shooting of the entire team. 

Davis is a great player with great stats. I think he will be an MVP one day, maybe even next year, but he is not there yet. His team has to win more games before he can be considered the MVP of the league. If you argue "his team would be way worse without him," I agree. His wins added is sixth in the league, but he still sits behind Paul, Lillard, Lowry, Harden, and Curry. If you say, "he is the best two-way player in the NBA," I’d say you might be right, but consider this: He is allowing a league average 50% shooting at the rim, even with all of his blocked shots. While the potential for his elite defense is there, he is not the best defender in the league, or even the best defensive big in the league (Duncan, Chandler, Bogut, Sanders, Hibbert, and Jordan all fight for that position). 

I’m being nitpicky, not to negate the performance of Davis this year, but to try to explain why his team is not winning. Davis will come into his own as a defender, but his reputation has run ahead of him a little bit. If his defense around the rim was better, I think the Pelicans would be winning more games (to be fair, its not Davis’ fault that Evans, Babbit, Anderson, and Fredette give free passes to opposing players driving to the hole). If the Pelicans were winning more games, then Davis would be right there with Curry and Harden. 

 

 

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

 I like Gasol and Davis a lot, but I don’t think you can say either are ahead of Curry or Harden. Gasol is scoring more points than he ever has, but if you dig a little, you find that some of the less obvious parts to his game have become a bit weaker. He is scoring a respectable 20PPG and is a great passer, but he is still only an average rebouder.  His defense at the rim this year is worse (allowing a very pedestrian 50%) and his pick and roll defense has never been great. If your argument is "he is the best player on one of the best teams in the west," then Curry or Harden could be ahead of them. In fact, the Grizzles’ success this year could be just as easily attributed to Conley Jr., or to the improved outside shooting of the entire team. 

Davis is a great player with great stats. I think he will be an MVP one day, maybe even next year, but he is not there yet. His team has to win more games before he can be considered the MVP of the league. If you argue "his team would be way worse without him," I agree. His wins added is sixth in the league, but he still sits behind Paul, Lillard, Lowry, Harden, and Curry. If you say, "he is the best two-way player in the NBA," I’d say you might be right, but consider this: He is allowing a league average 50% shooting at the rim, even with all of his blocked shots. While the potential for his elite defense is there, he is not the best defender in the league, or even the best defensive big in the league (Duncan, Chandler, Bogut, Sanders, Hibbert, and Jordan all fight for that position). 

I’m being nitpicky, not to negate the performance of Davis this year, but to try to explain why his team is not winning. Davis will come into his own as a defender, but his reputation has run ahead of him a little bit. If his defense around the rim was better, I think the Pelicans would be winning more games (to be fair, its not Davis’ fault that Evans, Babbit, Anderson, and Fredette give free passes to opposing players driving to the hole). If the Pelicans were winning more games, then Davis would be right there with Curry and Harden. 

 

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

he’s among the top 10 candidates for mvp…he’s on the most consistent streak of his career..he’s averaging 24 pts on the road and 16 at home, the largest difference in the nba this season…

but i think if the season ended today the award will go to anthony davis or marc gasol,with steph curry 3rd & james harden 4th….

looking at the raptors record,they’ve had a pretty easy schedule so far….they dont have that many impressive wins..

they have won 24 games, but most of those wins were against teams with losing records like utah(twice),76’ers,knicks,magic(3 times),pistons,nuggets(twice),lakers,pacers,bucks,celtics,kings and suns…

or against teams that were missing key players like okc,memphis and atlanta (twice) without horford….

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Love Anthony Davis, but his stats are basically the same except for 3.8 more points per game and a better field goal percentage.  People are acting like he didn’t have great stats last year, too.

I think if the Pelicans get in the playoffs that he will get A LOT of consideration.  I don’t think he needs to lead his team to 55 wins or anything like that…

I would like to see a two-way player get it.

I haven’t watched the Bulls this year, but why not Jimmy Butler?  He is scoring over 20 a game with good stats elsewhere given his position.  He plays a lot of minutes (I am betting) and I am sure he is defending well.

If the Bulls finish with the best record in the league.  He is a guy I would really, really look at.  Harden might put up better stats, but I can’t imagine Butler having a higher usage rate.  

I would have Harden, Curry, and Marc Gasol as the 3 main front runners right now, with Anthony Davis rounding out the 2014-2015 Early Season Basketball Mount Rushmore.

You still can’t rule out LeBron or Westbrook.

Hopefully when they look at everybody they will control for usage rates.  Harden is a guy like LeBron.  He SHOULD have some great volume stats since he DOMINATES the ball.

Who is the best guy overall on BOTH SIDES of the basketball?  

If the Bulls rule the East by the end of the year, and Anthony Davis helps the Pelicans sneak into the playoffs I would go with a Jimmy Butler-Anthony Davis Co-MVP Trophy.  Great, young two way players on winning teams.

As crazy as it sounds, we could even have a Marc-Pau Co-MVP Brothers.

"Conventional wisdom" would show Harden with a slight lead over Steph Curry, as of this moment.

I think LeBron will be punished if his turnover rate remains high (careeer high in that dubious category), his defense remains mediocre, and if his Cavs are still struggling in that 4-5 playoff seed range.

Kevin Durant won last year, and unless he REALLY turns it on, I don’t think they give him back to back MVP’s after an injury-plagued start.

… hopefully they will look at the NUMBERS and the INTANGIBLES.  Hopefully they don’t say, hey, we can’t give the MVP trophy to this guy because his name is Kyle Lowry or Jimmy Butler.  Or, we can’t give out a Co-MVP Trophy because we haven’t done it in years.  

What I think they MIGHT do is give Anthony Davis the DPOY Award and then give the MVP to someone else.  As great as he is, similar stats to last year and I don’t see his team winning more than 45 or 46 games TOPS.  

They could probably reward everybody with co-MVP’s for Steph Curry and James Harden with Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler getting co-DPOY’s.  Then, a six man All NBA First Team with Marc AND Pau Gasol.

Personally, I want to see each guy make his case at the NBA All Star Game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Love Anthony Davis, but his stats are basically the same except for 3.8 more points per game and a better field goal percentage. People are acting like he didn’t have great stats last year, too.

—————————————————————————————————————

People nowadays pay more attention to advanced numbers. Davis’ PER last season was a very impressive 26.5 and his WS/48 min was a solid .212. This year his PER is 32.5, a higher rating than Lebron or Michael have ever attained in a season. And his .285 WS/48 is higher than MJ’s in 4 of Jordan’s 6 title seasons. 

 

 

 

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Love Anthony Davis, but his stats are basically the same except for 3.8 more points per game and a better field goal percentage. People are acting like he didn’t have great stats last year, too.

—————————————————————————————————————

People nowadays pay more attention to advanced numbers. Davis’ PER last season was a very impressive 26.5 and his WS/48 min was a solid .212. This year his PER is 32.5, a higher rating than Lebron or Michael have ever attained in a season. And his .285 WS/48 is higher than MJ’s in 4 of Jordan’s 6 title seasons. 

 

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

Love Anthony Davis, but his stats are basically the same except for 3.8 more points per game and a better field goal percentage.  People are acting like he didn’t have great stats last year, too.

I think if the Pelicans get in the playoffs that he will get A LOT of consideration.  I don’t think he needs to lead his team to 55 wins or anything like that…

I would like to see a two-way player get it.

I haven’t watched the Bulls this year, but why not Jimmy Butler?  He is scoring over 20 a game with good stats elsewhere given his position.  He plays a lot of minutes (I am betting) and I am sure he is defending well.

If the Bulls finish with the best record in the league.  He is a guy I would really, really look at.  Harden might put up better stats, but I can’t imagine Butler having a higher usage rate.  

I would have Harden, Curry, and Marc Gasol as the 3 main front runners right now, with Anthony Davis rounding out the 2014-2015 Early Season Basketball Mount Rushmore.

You still can’t rule out LeBron or Westbrook.

Hopefully when they look at everybody they will control for usage rates.  Harden is a guy like LeBron.  He SHOULD have some great volume stats since he DOMINATES the ball.

Who is the best guy overall on BOTH SIDES of the basketball?  

If the Bulls rule the East by the end of the year, and Anthony Davis helps the Pelicans sneak into the playoffs I would go with a Jimmy Butler-Anthony Davis Co-MVP Trophy.  Great, young two way players on winning teams.

As crazy as it sounds, we could even have a Marc-Pau Co-MVP Brothers.

"Conventional wisdom" would show Harden with a slight lead over Steph Curry, as of this moment.

I think LeBron will be punished if his turnover rate remains high (careeer high in that dubious category), his defense remains mediocre, and if his Cavs are still struggling in that 4-5 playoff seed range.

Kevin Durant won last year, and unless he REALLY turns it on, I don’t think they give him back to back MVP’s after an injury-plagued start.

… hopefully they will look at the NUMBERS and the INTANGIBLES.  Hopefully they don’t say, hey, we can’t give the MVP trophy to this guy because his name is Kyle Lowry or Jimmy Butler.  Or, we can’t give out a Co-MVP Trophy because we haven’t done it in years.  

What I think they MIGHT do is give Anthony Davis the DPOY Award and then give the MVP to someone else.  As great as he is, similar stats to last year and I don’t see his team winning more than 45 or 46 games TOPS.  

They could probably reward everybody with co-MVP’s for Steph Curry and James Harden with Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler getting co-DPOY’s.  Then, a six man All NBA First Team with Marc AND Pau Gasol.

Personally, I want to see each guy make his case at the NBA All Star Game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[machu46Participant]

 Lowry is definitely having an outstanding year so far, but I doubt he’d win the MVP at this point in the season.  In the very least, I think both James Harden and Steph Curry are ahead of him at the moment, and probably Marc Gasol as well.

Curry’s team has an ever so slightly better record than Lowry’s right now.  Curry’s numbers are better pretty much across the board (though very close), and he’s doing it in the much tougher Western Conference.

Harden has carried a much bigger load in terms of scoring, while also rebounding more and assisting almost as much.

And Gasol is putting up nearly the same points, a great assist total for a C, decent rebounding, and is the leader of one of the best defenses in the NBA.

 

 

 

[machu46Participant]

 Lowry is definitely having an outstanding year so far, but I doubt he’d win the MVP at this point in the season.  In the very least, I think both James Harden and Steph Curry are ahead of him at the moment, and probably Marc Gasol as well.

Curry’s team has an ever so slightly better record than Lowry’s right now.  Curry’s numbers are better pretty much across the board (though very close), and he’s doing it in the much tougher Western Conference.

Harden has carried a much bigger load in terms of scoring, while also rebounding more and assisting almost as much.

And Gasol is putting up nearly the same points, a great assist total for a C, decent rebounding, and is the leader of one of the best defenses in the NBA.

 

 

 

[llperez]

I like Westbrook to win I this year, still lots of ball to go. But I have no doubt okc will end up with 45-50 wins and that’s enough to win mvp. He currently averaging 28, 7 and 6 while being an elite defender.

[llperez]

I like Westbrook to win I this year, still lots of ball to go. But I have no doubt okc will end up with 45-50 wins and that’s enough to win mvp. He currently averaging 28, 7 and 6 while being an elite defender.

[HitsterParticipant]

 He is putting up excellent stats but does one great season make an All Star, He’d be in the mix with Harden, Curry, LBJ, Marc Gasol, Davis etc. I’d also throw in players like Aldridge and CP3 who have been in the NBA for a similar amount of time as Lowry but have played at a higher standard for more years.

Lowry has to be an All Star this year and surely a legit MIP contender if the voters decide to look at an older guy instead of say Jimmy Butler.

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 He is putting up excellent stats but does one great season make an All Star, He’d be in the mix with Harden, Curry, LBJ, Marc Gasol, Davis etc. I’d also throw in players like Aldridge and CP3 who have been in the NBA for a similar amount of time as Lowry but have played at a higher standard for more years.

Lowry has to be an All Star this year and surely a legit MIP contender if the voters decide to look at an older guy instead of say Jimmy Butler.

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Where can I find usage rates?

Controlling for usage I want to see who is more effective: Curry, Harden, Westbrook, or Jimmy Butler.

I don’t think the Pelicans need to win 50 games.  If they just get in the playoffs that would be enough for Anthony Davis if he has the rest of the package.

 

 

 

 

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Basketball-Reference has usage % in the advanced stats part of each player profile.

All of those guys are really high in usage, except for Butler who is just above average. Westbrook’s usage is ridiculous and leads the NBA at 41%.   

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

Basketball-Reference has usage % in the advanced stats part of each player profile.

All of those guys are really high in usage, except for Butler who is just above average. Westbrook’s usage is ridiculous and leads the NBA at 41%.   

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Where can I find usage rates?

Controlling for usage I want to see who is more effective: Curry, Harden, Westbrook, or Jimmy Butler.

I don’t think the Pelicans need to win 50 games.  If they just get in the playoffs that would be enough for Anthony Davis if he has the rest of the package.

 

 

 

 

[TRC1991Participant]

Lowry’s production will inevitably dip a tad bit when DeRozan returns. I also don’t think he has enough fanfare for the voters to make him the MVP. My guess is Anthony Davis will get it. 

[TRC1991Participant]

Lowry’s production will inevitably dip a tad bit when DeRozan returns. I also don’t think he has enough fanfare for the voters to make him the MVP. My guess is Anthony Davis will get it. 

[thparadoxParticipant]

If you look at the advanced stats, Curry is the MVP thus far, although Anthony Davis and Harden are right there with him.

espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/RPM

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi

I think Lowry belongs in a second tier with Chris Paul and Lillard.

Once again, Lowry is the best guard in the East this year.

 

 

[thparadoxParticipant]

If you look at the advanced stats, Curry is the MVP thus far, although Anthony Davis and Harden are right there with him.

espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/RPM

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi

I think Lowry belongs in a second tier with Chris Paul and Lillard.

Once again, Lowry is the best guard in the East this year.

 

 

[Author]

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