Who Will Win the NBA MVP Award This Season?
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The NBA MVP race is heating up and there are a few players who are standouts. Who will take home the hardware this season?
Antetokounmpo is the favorite
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is the current favorite to win the NBA MVP Award this season. As of February 12th, he has the best odds at winning the award at +350. Other players with good odds include LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers (+500), Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers (+700), and James Harden of the Houston Rockets (+800).
Leonard is a close second
Kawhi Leonard of the LA Clippers is widely considered to be the second-best player in the NBA behind only Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. And while Leonard has been excellent for the Clippers, averaging 26.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from three-point range, he hasn’t been quite as dominant as Giannis has been for the Bucks.
Harden is a dark horse
Harden is a dark horse for the award this season. He is currently averaging 29.8 points, 8.9 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game. His shooting percentage is 43.6 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range.
Other contenders
Aside from the clear favorite, Russell Westbrook, there are a few other contenders for this season’s NBA MVP award.
First is James Harden, who is having an incredible season with the Houston Rockets. He is averaging 29.1 points, 11.2 assists, and 8.1 rebounds per game. He is also shooting 34.7% from three-point range. Harden has led the Rockets to the third best record in the NBA, and they are currently in first place in the Western Conference.
Another contender is Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard is one of the best two-way players in the NBA, and he is averaging 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He is also shooting 38.9% from three-point range. Leonard has helped the Spurs to the second best record in the NBA, and they are currently in second place in the Western Conference.
The last contender is LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. James is averaging 26.4 points, 8.7 assists, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 54% from the field and 36% from three-point range. He has been a dominant force for the Cavaliers all season, and they have the best record in the Eastern Conference thanks largely to his play.
