Who Is Winning The MVP Race in the NBA?
With the NBA regular season winding down, we take a look at the top contenders for the MVP award and make our predictions.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is having an incredible season. He is averaging 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He is also leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the NBA. Giannis is the front-runner for the MVP award and is playing like an MVP.
Averaging 30 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists
In his seventh season, Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists, shooting 55.3% from the field and 31.8% from three-point range. He’s also leading the league in blocks (2.0 per game) and is second in steals (1.7 per game).
His team is the best in the league
The Milwaukee Bucks have the best record in the NBA, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is a big reason why. The 24-year-old forward is averaging 27.4 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, and he’s emerged as one of the league’s best players.
LeBron James
The race for MVP is heating up and there are a few players in contention. LeBron James is one of the leading candidates and he is having an amazing season. He is averaging a career-high in assists and is leading the league in triple-doubles. James is also shooting a career-best from three-point range.
Averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists
LeBron James is widely considered to be one of the best basketball players in the world. He has been named NBA MVP four times, and he has won three NBA championships. In the 2016-2017 season, James is averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game. He is currently playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His team is one of the best in the league
The Los Angeles Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference, and it’s largely due to the play of LeBron James. He’s averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and a league-leading 10.6 assists per game. His teammates have certainly benefited from his stellar play, but James has been the driving force behind the Lakers’ success this season.
While there are other players who are putting up great numbers, James has been consistently excellent all season long. He’s elevated his game in big moments, and he’s shown that he can still dominate at age 35. For these reasons, LeBron James is our pick for MVP of the 2019-20 NBA season.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis is having an unbelievable season. He’s averaging 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. He’s also shooting 50% from the field and 80% from the free throw line. The only player who is close to him in terms of production is Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Davis has been more consistent throughout the season.
Averaging 27.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists
As the two-time defending NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors have unsurprisingly been one of the best teams in basketball once again this season. But with a record of 52-20, they’re only 2nd in the Western Conference, behind the Houston Rockets. As a result, Warriors superstar forward Kevin Durant is not currently in the running for MVP. Instead, the award is shaping up to be a two-man race between James Harden of the Rockets and Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Davis has been simply incredible this season, averaging 27.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 80.6 percent from the free throw line. He’s also swatting 2.6 shots per game and is one of the best defensive players in basketball.
His team is one of the best in the league
The Los Angeles Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference, and Davis has been a big reason why. He is averaging 27.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 50.8% from the field and 32.6% from three-point range.
Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is one of the most electrifying players in the NBA. He plays with a tenacity and passion that is unmatched. When he is on the court, he is a force to be reckoned with. Westbrook is averaging a triple double this season and is leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs. He is definitely the front runner for the MVP award.
Averaging 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists
Westbrook is averaging 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 10.7 assists and is on pace to be the first player to average a triple-double in a season since Oscar Robertson did it in 1961-62. Westbrook has 18 triple-doubles, one shy of Robertson’s record for most in a season. He’s also averaging 31.2 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11 assists in his last 10 games.
His team is not one of the best in the league
The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a tough season. They’re not one of the best teams in the league, and Russell Westbrook is shouldering a lot of the load. But he’s been putting up some incredible numbers. So far this season, he’s averaging a triple-double. That means he’s averaging at least 10 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds per game. In fact, he’s on pace to become the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season.
That’s an incredible accomplishment, and it’s one that Westbrook is very deserving of. He’s been carrying his team on his back all season long, and they would be lost without him. He’s unquestionably the MVP of the Thunder, and he deserves to be in the conversation for the league MVP award as well.
James Harden
As the NBA season comes to a close, the MVP race is still up in the air. James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and LeBron James are all in the running, but who will come out on top? All three players have had exceptional seasons, but there can only be one MVP. Let’s take a look at the cases for each player.
Averaging 31.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists
In the running for his third consecutive MVP award, James Harden is averaging an incredible 31.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game for the Houston Rockets this season. He’s also shooting a career-best 34.9 percent from three-point range and 84.7 percent from the free throw line. Simply put, he’s been one of the most dominant players in the NBA this season and is a big reason why the Rockets have the best record in the league (57-14).
His team is not one of the best in the league
James Harden is not having one of his best statistical seasons, but he is in the running for the MVP award because he is scoring so many points.
