Post by SkRoUsE on Aug 23, 2010 14:45:22 GMT -5
My top 10
10. Alonzo Mourning C Pistons
Alonzo Mourning, key piece of a very controvesial trade last season, is an MVP candidate because of his dominance in the paint. He's a 20/10 that adds almost 4 BPG and controls the paint. He is not as dominating as the he was with the Nuggets last season but still a top 10 candidate and if he can help get his team on the right side of .500 and climb the Eastern Conference Rankings, his MVP status will continue to grow
9. Tracy McGrady SF TWolves
I was reluctant to add TMac because of the stellar play surrounding the All Star F. He has another 20 point scorer on his team and 2 dominating big men in the paint. But his numbers are too good and his team's record is best in the west. He's getting about 8 RPG, 6 APG, 1.6 SPG and just shy of 29 PPG with his ridiculous range, shooting an astounding 40% from 3 point land, and taking more that 6 a game, 4th in TMBS. If he keeps his numbers up he will be in the running later this year, but IMO he has too much help to win MVP.
8. Rashard Lewis SF Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets
Another Marksman from long range is Rashard Lewis, this stud has less help than TMac, but is alomst matching his numbers. He's getting about 29 PPG, 7 RPG, 3 APG and just shy of 2 SPG. Lewis, also like TMac takes a lot of shots from downtown, just shy of 8 per night, but he's hitting almost half of them(47%)!! That's what I call efficiency. His team is currently 2nd in the east but has played a few less games than most teams, if they keep up with the league leading Cetlics and Lewis keeps his numbers up, I could easily see him the MVP race down the road.
7. Grant Hill SF 76ers
Hill is another player with quite a bit of help, but like his predacessors, his numbers are too good to deny. 30 PPG, 7 RPG, 5 APG and almost 2 SPG are fantastic numbers, but the fact his team isn't winning as much as they should is a big part of why he's at #6 and not in my top 3. IMO this team should be top 5 in TMBS but they have a real problem stopping other teams score, and Hill doesn't seem able to carry them by himself. Perhaps with some tinkering of the playing style this team could do better and Hill could crack the top 5 or 3 in the MVP race, until then he'll be on the outside looking in.
6. Chris Webber PF Celtics
The defending MVP winner is having another great season. 29 PPG, about 12 RPG, 4 APG and 1.4 BPG are fantastic numbers and are a big part of this MVPs candidates push for a repeat. Another big part of it is his team's #1 overall record (18-2) and their undefeated home record (11-0). The biggest problem I see with CWebb winning though are his teammates Shawn Marion and Michael Redd. Marion's averaging over 20 PPG while grabbing 9 RPG and 3 SPG, Redd is on the cusp of being a 20 point scorer himself while, like Marion, adding significant rebounds, assists, and steals. Like many other listed candidates, I believe Webber just has too much help to be the MVP, but I'm sure as the season continues he'll amoung the top candidates.
5. Dirk Nowitzki SF Sonics
This 7 foot SF is one of the toughest matchups in TMBS and his 31.5 PPG prove it. He is a scoring machine and has carried his Sonics so far to the 2nd seed in the West. Fellow Sonic Chauncey Billups is one of the reasons Dirk isn't in my top 3, the other being that as a 7 footer he underacheives in other areas. He turns the ball over a lot (2.7 TOPG) rebounds well for a SF (9.2 RPG) but not for a 7 footer, and he doesn't block shots pretty much at all. But he does score almost 32 PPG and his TO's aren't that high for a guy that gets as many touches as he does, if his team keeps rolling he'll be a top 5 candidate for sure, but with Billups and somewhat underachieving, he's not in my top 3.
4. Rasheed Wallace PF Magic
Defending TMBS Finals Champ and Finals MVP Rasheed Wallace is at it again. He is having another great season and he and his Magic are off to a great start. 8-0 at home and 12-6 overall, Wallace is the key reason the Magic are winning, he dominates the paint in every aspect, but is also a rare bigman that can hit the long ball. He's shooting a solid 38% from downtown while also contributing on the glass at 12.4 RPG and defending the paint with 2.7 BPG. He has quite a bit of help with Sam Cassell scoring 24 himself but other than that Sheed is carrying the load. He reminds me a lot of Webber last year and if he wins the MVP I would not be at all surprised.
3. Shaquille O'Neal C Wizards
One of the most dominant big men in TMBS, Shaq is right at the edge of 30 PPG and 11 RPG. He also is a great defender adding 2 BPG and he consistently holds opposing big men to tough shooting nights, the most points he's allowed a C this year is 17 by veteran Shawn Kemp (Troy Murphy put up 23 in 1 game but Shaq DNP INJ).
He does more with less than almost anyone and he's got his Wizards in the 7th seed in the rough east. I believe if he stays healthy and keeps the Wiz in the playoffs he'll be one of the top MVP candidates for sure.
2. Jermaine O'Neal C Kings
Jermaine O'Neal has quitely become arguably the best C in TMBS. He's averaging 24.8 PPG, while leading the league in RPG with 13.5 and BPG with 4.1. He has his Kings with the 3rd best record in the West and he's doing it all by his damn self. He's the only one on his team averaging 20+ PPG, 10+ RPG or more than 1.5 BPG. He is clearly a top 3 candidate for Defensive Player of the Year as well and I think if he keeps the Kings near the top of the western standings will be a top 3 MVP candidate this year, and many years to come.
1. Kobe Bryant SG Raptors
Perhaps the best player in TMBS, clearly the most talented(25 yrs old, 6'7" 215 lbs A B+ B+ A+ C A). Ratings like that make a GM's jaw drop, and his stat line shows it, 32 PPG 7 RPG 5 APG 2.5 SPG 2.9 TOPG .471 FG% .796 FT% .370 3P%, again just jaw dropping. This year his teams isn't doing quite as well with Karl Malone retired, yet they're only a half game back from a top 4 seed in the talented Eastern Conference. This is a big reason why he's at the top of my list, best scorer in the league, yet a great passer, defender and he hustles on the glass. Just an amazing all around player and the Raptors would be sub .500 with out him. Clear cut leading MVP candidate IMO.
On the Cusp[/u]
Baron Davis PG Clippers
(He just barely didn't make my top 10) A player leading his team in PPG(26.4) and APG(10.0) while 3rd on his team in RPG(6.0)... as a PG! If he gets his Clippers to make some noise this year by beating some good teams and staying near the top of the western standing, he could get into the MVP votings but right now he's borderline. The reason I see JO so much better than him, is the fact Baron has another 20+ PPG scorer and 2 pretty decent big men.
Jason Kidd PG Lakers
Similar to Baron, great numbers, 20.7 PPG, 9.9 APG, and 7.0 RPG(3rd on his team) but has some helpers(Mashburn and Humphrey) and his team is struggling in the west. Keep winning and his MVP hopes will increase greatly.
Vince Carter SG Rockets
Carter could easily be on my top 10, basically 29 PPG, 8 RPG, 5 APG. But his team is 10-10 in the west and with John Stockton out, they can't seem to win. If he keeps his team in the race out west and can carry them through Stockton's injury he will be a top 10 MVP candidate, but until they start winning, he's just a great player on an average team.
10. Alonzo Mourning C Pistons
Alonzo Mourning, key piece of a very controvesial trade last season, is an MVP candidate because of his dominance in the paint. He's a 20/10 that adds almost 4 BPG and controls the paint. He is not as dominating as the he was with the Nuggets last season but still a top 10 candidate and if he can help get his team on the right side of .500 and climb the Eastern Conference Rankings, his MVP status will continue to grow
9. Tracy McGrady SF TWolves
I was reluctant to add TMac because of the stellar play surrounding the All Star F. He has another 20 point scorer on his team and 2 dominating big men in the paint. But his numbers are too good and his team's record is best in the west. He's getting about 8 RPG, 6 APG, 1.6 SPG and just shy of 29 PPG with his ridiculous range, shooting an astounding 40% from 3 point land, and taking more that 6 a game, 4th in TMBS. If he keeps his numbers up he will be in the running later this year, but IMO he has too much help to win MVP.
8. Rashard Lewis SF Eastern Conference Powerhouse Hornets
Another Marksman from long range is Rashard Lewis, this stud has less help than TMac, but is alomst matching his numbers. He's getting about 29 PPG, 7 RPG, 3 APG and just shy of 2 SPG. Lewis, also like TMac takes a lot of shots from downtown, just shy of 8 per night, but he's hitting almost half of them(47%)!! That's what I call efficiency. His team is currently 2nd in the east but has played a few less games than most teams, if they keep up with the league leading Cetlics and Lewis keeps his numbers up, I could easily see him the MVP race down the road.
7. Grant Hill SF 76ers
Hill is another player with quite a bit of help, but like his predacessors, his numbers are too good to deny. 30 PPG, 7 RPG, 5 APG and almost 2 SPG are fantastic numbers, but the fact his team isn't winning as much as they should is a big part of why he's at #6 and not in my top 3. IMO this team should be top 5 in TMBS but they have a real problem stopping other teams score, and Hill doesn't seem able to carry them by himself. Perhaps with some tinkering of the playing style this team could do better and Hill could crack the top 5 or 3 in the MVP race, until then he'll be on the outside looking in.
6. Chris Webber PF Celtics
The defending MVP winner is having another great season. 29 PPG, about 12 RPG, 4 APG and 1.4 BPG are fantastic numbers and are a big part of this MVPs candidates push for a repeat. Another big part of it is his team's #1 overall record (18-2) and their undefeated home record (11-0). The biggest problem I see with CWebb winning though are his teammates Shawn Marion and Michael Redd. Marion's averaging over 20 PPG while grabbing 9 RPG and 3 SPG, Redd is on the cusp of being a 20 point scorer himself while, like Marion, adding significant rebounds, assists, and steals. Like many other listed candidates, I believe Webber just has too much help to be the MVP, but I'm sure as the season continues he'll amoung the top candidates.
5. Dirk Nowitzki SF Sonics
This 7 foot SF is one of the toughest matchups in TMBS and his 31.5 PPG prove it. He is a scoring machine and has carried his Sonics so far to the 2nd seed in the West. Fellow Sonic Chauncey Billups is one of the reasons Dirk isn't in my top 3, the other being that as a 7 footer he underacheives in other areas. He turns the ball over a lot (2.7 TOPG) rebounds well for a SF (9.2 RPG) but not for a 7 footer, and he doesn't block shots pretty much at all. But he does score almost 32 PPG and his TO's aren't that high for a guy that gets as many touches as he does, if his team keeps rolling he'll be a top 5 candidate for sure, but with Billups and somewhat underachieving, he's not in my top 3.
4. Rasheed Wallace PF Magic
Defending TMBS Finals Champ and Finals MVP Rasheed Wallace is at it again. He is having another great season and he and his Magic are off to a great start. 8-0 at home and 12-6 overall, Wallace is the key reason the Magic are winning, he dominates the paint in every aspect, but is also a rare bigman that can hit the long ball. He's shooting a solid 38% from downtown while also contributing on the glass at 12.4 RPG and defending the paint with 2.7 BPG. He has quite a bit of help with Sam Cassell scoring 24 himself but other than that Sheed is carrying the load. He reminds me a lot of Webber last year and if he wins the MVP I would not be at all surprised.
3. Shaquille O'Neal C Wizards
One of the most dominant big men in TMBS, Shaq is right at the edge of 30 PPG and 11 RPG. He also is a great defender adding 2 BPG and he consistently holds opposing big men to tough shooting nights, the most points he's allowed a C this year is 17 by veteran Shawn Kemp (Troy Murphy put up 23 in 1 game but Shaq DNP INJ).
He does more with less than almost anyone and he's got his Wizards in the 7th seed in the rough east. I believe if he stays healthy and keeps the Wiz in the playoffs he'll be one of the top MVP candidates for sure.
2. Jermaine O'Neal C Kings
Jermaine O'Neal has quitely become arguably the best C in TMBS. He's averaging 24.8 PPG, while leading the league in RPG with 13.5 and BPG with 4.1. He has his Kings with the 3rd best record in the West and he's doing it all by his damn self. He's the only one on his team averaging 20+ PPG, 10+ RPG or more than 1.5 BPG. He is clearly a top 3 candidate for Defensive Player of the Year as well and I think if he keeps the Kings near the top of the western standings will be a top 3 MVP candidate this year, and many years to come.
1. Kobe Bryant SG Raptors
Perhaps the best player in TMBS, clearly the most talented(25 yrs old, 6'7" 215 lbs A B+ B+ A+ C A). Ratings like that make a GM's jaw drop, and his stat line shows it, 32 PPG 7 RPG 5 APG 2.5 SPG 2.9 TOPG .471 FG% .796 FT% .370 3P%, again just jaw dropping. This year his teams isn't doing quite as well with Karl Malone retired, yet they're only a half game back from a top 4 seed in the talented Eastern Conference. This is a big reason why he's at the top of my list, best scorer in the league, yet a great passer, defender and he hustles on the glass. Just an amazing all around player and the Raptors would be sub .500 with out him. Clear cut leading MVP candidate IMO.
On the Cusp[/u]
Baron Davis PG Clippers
(He just barely didn't make my top 10) A player leading his team in PPG(26.4) and APG(10.0) while 3rd on his team in RPG(6.0)... as a PG! If he gets his Clippers to make some noise this year by beating some good teams and staying near the top of the western standing, he could get into the MVP votings but right now he's borderline. The reason I see JO so much better than him, is the fact Baron has another 20+ PPG scorer and 2 pretty decent big men.
Jason Kidd PG Lakers
Similar to Baron, great numbers, 20.7 PPG, 9.9 APG, and 7.0 RPG(3rd on his team) but has some helpers(Mashburn and Humphrey) and his team is struggling in the west. Keep winning and his MVP hopes will increase greatly.
Vince Carter SG Rockets
Carter could easily be on my top 10, basically 29 PPG, 8 RPG, 5 APG. But his team is 10-10 in the west and with John Stockton out, they can't seem to win. If he keeps his team in the race out west and can carry them through Stockton's injury he will be a top 10 MVP candidate, but until they start winning, he's just a great player on an average team.
