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This NBA season has been a treat for us basketball fans, as we have had some of the most memorable performances from key stars around the league. With the NBA set to return to action Thursday following a somewhat disappointing All-Star weekend (All-Star Saturday, ugh), we look into what should be an exciting finish to the rest of the season. Most of the MVP chatter has been on frontrunners Russell Westbrook and James Harden. However, the MVP trophy is awarded in May as we have other players who has slowly snuck into the conversation. Let’s find out who has been ballin’ for their teams;
1. James Harden (29.2 PPG 8.3 RPG 11.3 APG 27.67 PER)
It has been a tight race all season, and just when the Rockets were struggling a bit, they have picked it up as of late again, winning 6 of their last 10. While that’s nothing impressive, RWB didn’t help his case because the Thunder have dropped 6 of their last 10.
2. Russell Westbrook (31.1 PPG 10.5 RPG 10.1 APG 29.52 PER)
The Brodie is still doing all he can to help the Thunder get wins, demonstrated by the Thunder’s comeback win against the Knicks before the break, where he erupted for 38 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists to erase a 19-point deficit. No whining, no excuses, Westbrook works with who he has on this thin OKC roster. The Brodie is willing his team into the postseason race.
3. Kevin Durant (25.8 PPG 8.3 RPG 4.9 APG 27.62 PER)
Quietly the best player on the best team who many are sleeping on, KD is having yet another monster season, highlighted by ultra-efficiency. KD is shooting a career-best 54% from the field on just 17 shot attempts, while also swatting a career-high 1.7 blocks. I don’t think he misses Russell Westbrook at all while his team is 47-9.
4. Kawhi Leonard (25.9 PPG 5.9 RPG 3.3 APG 28.23 PER)
The Klaw gets no love down in San Antonio, but he doesn’t mind if you continue to keep him under the radar. Kawhi Leonard, Greg Popovich and the rest of the San Antonio always chase perfection, and that’s winning it all in June. The Spurs are the best team in the league behind the Warriors, that literally no one is talking about.
5. Isaiah Thomas (29.9 PPG 2.7 RPG 6.3 APG 27.69 PER)
At just 5 foot 9, this little Allen Iverson reincarnation is worth the price of admission. He’s averaging 29.9 points per game(!), just behind league-best Russell Westbrook. He has Celtic Nation excited for what could be a deep preseason run this year. He has obvious flaws on the defensive end, where he’s dead last in Defensive Real Plus Minus amongst 86 point guards in the NBA. However, that’s why the Celtics have Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart to let IT do his thing.
6. LeBron James (25.9 PPG 7.7 RPG 8.8 APG 26.34 PER)
LeBron James doesn’t care for the regular season MVP trophy, as he’s a 4-time league MVP. But would winning a 5th time to tie with MJ’s 5 MVP trophies add to one of his personal goals? Maybe. LeBron is having another LeBron-like season, the only player in the league to average 25 points 7 rebounds 7 assists, while also shooting 54% from the field.
7. John Wall (22.8 PPG 4.4 RPG 10.6 APG 23.06 PER)
John Wall has really elevated his game this season. After a disastrous start to the season, the Wizards are the hottest team in the league. The Wizards have the best record in 2017 in the NBA and looks to continue to secure homecourt in the playoffs. If you ever watched a Wizards game, John Wall is a truly a wizard with the ball (pun intended). He is the perfect definition of a point guard, and arguable the best all-around POINT guard not named Chris Paul. He has definitely deserved his All-Star nod and should continue to beast as he hits his prime at the age of 26.
8. Steph Curry (24.7 PPG 4.3 RPG 6.4 APG 24.04 PER)
The Warriors are without the best team in the NBA, and rightfully so because they are so stacked. Curry doesn’t even need to go Human Torch mode for the Warriors to win games, which is why he isn’t deserving of a 3rd MVP award. Still, Chef Curry still cooks the opposing team as the Warriors are winning by a league-best 12.8 points differential.
9. Gordon Hayward (22.2 PPG 5.6 RPG 3.5 APG 23 PER)
Hayward was finally named an All-Star in New Orleans, and with good reason. Captain America has the Utah Jazz 13 games above .500 and quite frankly, no one wants to play the stiffening defense of the Jazz in postseason.
10. Marc Gasol 20.6 PPG 6.2 RPG 4.3 APG 21.48 PER)
A year ago, Marc Gasol was watching NBA games from his couch due to a broken foot. Not only was he named and deserving of being named an All-Star this year, he leads the Memphis Grizzlies into yet another fine season. Just when we thought his career might be in jeopardy due to health, Big Spain delivers.