In race for NBA MVP, here are long shots
If there’s one thing we know about this coming NBA season and the MVP race that sparks so many months of debate, it’s that the incumbent is the underdog – again.
Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors star who defended his individual crown in historic fashion during their 73-win season, has quite the uphill battle ahead if he’s going to become the first back-to-back-to-back winner since Larry Bird in 1986. Even if Kevin Durant hadn’t come to town, Curry would have been up against the pro sports phenomenon known as “voter fatigue.” Add in the fact that there are now two former MVPs and five former All-Stars on Golden State’s roster to share that spotlight, and it will be tougher than ever for Curry to hold onto the coveted Maurice Podoloff trophy.
And, of course, there’s this: the number of MVP-caliber talents in the league right now is downright silly. Alas, here’s a power-rankings style perspective on the MVP race from this vantage point.
Check out: The front runners; The outside threats
The long shots
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Griffin has been contrite since that evening in Toronto, when the fight that took place at a restaurant railroaded the Clippers’ hopes of a title push. That sort of motivation to make amends, coupled with the reality that the 27-year-old Griffin is smack dab in the middle of his prime, could go a long way.
What’s more, it’s a free agency year for Griffin, too (player option for 2017-18). Even with Paul running the Clippers’ show, Griffin’s ability to grow as a playmaker while remaining an elite scorer has made him even more indispensable.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Lillard, whose dominance the past few seasons has been rooted in his trademark defiance, would probably prefer to be overlooked on a list like this. The more motivation the better for the 26-year-old who makes the most of that chip on his shoulder.
But Lillard, who has proven to be such an inclusive leader and big-time player in his four seasons in Portland, has become a legitimate threat. He finished eighth in MVP voting last season, when his Blazers somehow finished fifth in the West (44-38) despite losing perennial All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge to San Antonio in free agency. Lillard, who was an All-Star snub last season en route to finishing sixth in scoring (25.1 points per game), won’t stop making MVP-caliber noise anytime soon.
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Nothing has changed about Davis’ potential. Two seasons ago, when he turned in a PER of 30.89 that was the fourth highest in league history and the Pelicans captured the eight seed after going 45-37, their do-it-all big man seemed destined for the MVP ranks. But now, of course, that path has become a whole lot more problematic because of health issues.
Not only his but those of his teammates.
Davis, who missed the final 14 games of last season because of a left knee injury and torn labrum (21 in all), suffered a Grade 2 right ankle sprain on Oct. 12 in a preseason game against Houston and was expected to miss as much as two weeks. More of the same, in other words.
The Pelicans led the league in games missed because of injury last season (351) en route to a 30-52 finish under first-year coach Alvin Gentry, and Davis’ latest setback isn’t the only déjà vu reoccurrence for a core player: Tyreke Evans is likely out until December after having knee surgery in February, Jrue Holiday is out indefinitely while he takes care of his wife who is fighting brain cancer, and Quincy Pondexter is still working his way back after two left knee surgeries (he last played in an NBA game on April 25, 2015).
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
The odds of Cousins actually winning this award are remote, if only because the Kings are playoff underdogs of the highest order and MVPs simply don’t come from below .500 teams. Then again, he may take his already-dominant game to another level now that the league’s general managers named the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan as the NBA’s best center in their latest anonymous survey.
Yet the more intriguing question surrounding Cousins this season is whether he’ll find a way to become the kind of inclusive, inspiring presence that makes those around him better. Just like Vlade Divac used to be.
The Kings president of basketball operations was widely considered one of the best teammates the game has ever seen during his playing days, and he spent much of the summer imploring Cousins to change his caustic ways and see the value in creating a healthier, more positive environment while partnering with first-year coach Dave Joerger. A tall task for all involved, to say the least.
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
In Phil Jackson’s grandest dreams, this fascinating and flawed combination of Anthony, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah et al joining with new coach Jeff Hornacek plays its way into Eastern Conference contention. And if Anthony does all the little things along the way – helping the new guys bring their best, defending, reminding the masses that he’s one of the game’s scoring greats – the credit will most certainly come his way. And while it’s fair to wonder about a possible decline considering he’s 32 now, he showed during Team USA’s gold-medal run that there’s plenty left in this tank (second on the team in scoring behind Durant at 12.1 points per game; 31 points against Australia).
Anthony (22,497 career points) is currently 29th all-time in NBA scoring, with a chance for a major run up those ranks this season. The No. 21 spot, held by Ray Allen, is only 2,009 points away (with Elgin Baylor, Adrian Dantley, Robert Parish, Charles Barkley, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson in between).
John Wall, Washington Wizards
If Wall can put up the kind of impressive numbers he turned in last season (19.9 points, 10.2 assists, 1.9 steals per game), and if he can find a way to get over the well-chronicled offseason discord with backcourt mate Bradley Beal en route to contention among the Eastern Conference elite, then Wall could be in the conversation.
Check out: The front runners; The outside threats
