NBA MVP past 24 years and why it's not Westbrook (stats)

Westbrook can't win it. His numbers are amazing, but winning matters.

Just look at what happened with Kobe. In 2006, he averaged 35 ppg for a team that had Kwame Brown and some dude named Smush in the starting lineup. He had a historic 81 point game against the Raptors. That game is still talked about to this day. He dropped 62 points in 3 quarters. He had multiple 40 and 50+ point games. His team won 45 games after winning just 34 the previous year. He finished 4th in MVP voting. Then in 2008, he had a very good year but it wasn't nearly as dominating as his 05-06 season. However, his team won 57 games and that's when he won MVP.

If Westbrook were to win the MVP this year over Harden, then I'd really start to believe in media conspiracies.

 

You're completely forgetting enormous point:

Kawhi plays with multiple former all stars
Harden plays with zero former all stars

How much help a player has reduces his value

 

You're completely forgetting an even more enormous point:

Kawhi plays for one of the greatest coaches of all time in Greg Popovich. I have no problems with the NBA awarding the MVP to Kawhi, but let's face the facts here right now. If it weren't for Greg Popovich and the Spurs then Kawhi would likely be playing in China right now.

It was the Spurs "plug and play" system that created Kawhi, and if he were to go off to any other team he would simply be just another dude in a uniform. I wouldn't say that he would be K.J McDaniels level of bad, but yeah you get the drift.

 

That really is a lovely...err..pretty little list....I mean it. I know it took some thought/work. But, you're overlooking several things.

If I might be so bold, here's another, all good points nicely illustrated by my more than capable peers -

Westbrook and his being behind Harden in W's.
Kawhi playing with former All Stars, one of the greatest coaches of all time/historic organization, and plugging into all that.
The incredible lack of talent, comparatively that we possess.

Now, let's toss in.....

Harden being screwed in his first MVP year (while winning players MVP) and the history of the "make up" call/political nature in the NBA. (though he deserves it)
Beard has had to deal with an incredibly talent laden conference...with said collection of talent.
DOING IT IN AN ERA OF SUPER FRIENDS/ TEAMS LIKE GS, SA, AND CLEVELAND. THIS IS A HUGE FACTOR BEING OVERLOOKED HERE IN THAT PRRRRDY LITTLE LIST OF STATS.
Also, like Nash, James has led the League in assists....WHILE PUTTING UP 29 A GAME. And just like Steve, he's had MDA as a coach..who is helping him unlock that potential.......which goes way beyond Nash.
James is CLEARLY the MVP beyond a shadow of a doubt...A transcendent talent to be sure....with more to come.

And while we're at it, the race for COTY shouldn't even be close....same goes for DM the GM.

 

I'm not going to caterwaul too loud if Leonard ends up winning.

That said I'm not sure how good historical precedent is going to be as a predictor because there has not been someone who put up a 30-10-10 OR a 29-8-11 in over 40 years. Kawhi is great in the context of his team, but people surpass his statline all the time, from Lebron to Pierce to Mcgrady to Chris Mullin to Rick Barry.

 

Going by history then it would be Kawhi

 

Great post but we know all of this. It's the damn idiotic media including former players who are morons who need this info.

 

I think James Harden will win it. He just needs to close out the season on his current pace and lead the team to 56+ wins, and it will be his.

I'm probably alone on an island with this, but I do think LeBron James has a decent case as well. Personally, I'd put him ahead of Westbrook and Leonard in my voting. I don't see how Leonard is definitely having a better year than him, on an individual basis, when you also account for the fact that LeBron plays more minutes and is more central to his team's success.

 

I also think it will be James. As others have pointed out, the media might be split between the stats vs the wins criteria, but either way you look at it Harden is the only one in the top two of each group. The winners might favor Kawhi (in spite of his team going 6-1 without him playing a minute) and the statters might favor westbrook, but Harden will get the bulk of votes in second place of all the ballots, and the way the NBA tallies things it matters whether you are #2 or #4 on the ballot.

 

MVP is James Harden right now, but when the Spurs beat Houston week ago, it was Kawhi's. Harden has made the Rockets jump from a low-tier playoff team to a high-tier playoff team. He elevated everyone's game made every teammate capable of scoring 20+ a game. Rockets are setting records for scoring, setting unique wins like 15-1 in back-to back games. Rockets have not lose more than 2 games in a row, only the Spurs have not lose more than 2 in a row (but they are in danger of losing 3 in a row). One of the most important thing about Harden this year is that he will be playing all the game instead of skipping games, or taking off games for rest which should give him a good amount of vote. The MVPs are won with not numbers (Westbrook), or wins (Kawhi), but the whole resume for the year. If Rockets beat the Warriors one of the 2 games, Harden will seal the MVP.

 

This is my point as well. We can look at precedents, but the seasons Harden and Westbrook are having are smashing those. Because of that, people could vote differently than in the past.

 

2017 Westbrook is pretty similar to 2006 Kobe. Ridiculous stats...but low seeds. Lakers roster was worse. Kobe had better shooting %. And better defense I would imagine.

Besides triple doubles, the biggest difference is media likability. Kobe was disliked after the Shaq feud, rape scandal, and his personality in general. Westbrook became the new media darling after the Durant fallout.

 

I hope Harden wins it - just for the Houston love...

but if he doesn't, I hope it's Kawhi... I'd rather see a 2 way player win than a 1 way stat padder like Westbrook... jus sayin...
for those that wanna cite Pops or all star teammates to downplay Kawhi... I think it speaks volumes that Kawhi works within the Pops system and with those other guys without ego disruptions and blowouts.... in an era of guys worried about 'getting theirs' and 'chemistry' concerns etc.... I think this is an undervalued trait...