There has been something magical about the 2018-2019 NBA season. Not sure whether it’s social media player or public perception, but something is driving the NBA’s stars this year to chase greatness just as hard as ever. We’re even seeing some top stars focus on the defensive end; something I haven’t seen in a long time. As we enter the new year, I wanted to lead off with an NBA MVP Ladder, heading into week 12 of the 2018-2019 NBA season.
10. Nikola Jokic- Denver Nuggets (18.0 PTS, 9.9 REB, 7.6 AST, .7 BLK, 1.5 STL, .495 FG%, .840 FT%):
At 24-11, theDenver Nuggets currently hold the best record in the Western Conference. They are very hard to beat at home with a 15-3 record, and average on the road with a 9-8 record. The Nuggets have been a team ailed by injuries all season. Their one constant has been Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets publicly made the decision to build around Jokic about a couple years ago, and are finally reaping the fruits of their labor. When healthy, the Nuggets are very difficult to beat. They play like a team, move the ball, and defend well. Jokic doesn’t get all of the credit, but he sure deserves a large chunk of it. Jokic’s one flaw is sometimes he can be too passive.
9. Kawhi Leonard- Toronto Raptors (27.3PTS, 8.2 REB, 2.8 AST, .5 BLK, 1.6STL, .497 FG%, .855 FT%):
To the eye test, the Toronto Raptors appear to be much more dominant than last year. In reality, statistics show that they were just as good last year as I proved in an earlier article. However, we all know we expect Toronto to perform much differently in this year’s playoffs. The reason for that, besides LeBron James leaving the Eastern Conference, has been the addition of Kawhi Leonard. Leonard has resumed his position as one of the best defenders in the game. He has also continued to establish his Kobe esque offensive game. Kawhi Leonard, like Jokic, is another great player in a great team. Teams like this typically do well in the playoffs.
8. Steph Curry- Golden State Warriors (28.7 PTS, 5.2 REB, 5.3 AST, .4 BLK, 1.4 STL, .487 FG%, .915 FT%):
Perhaps the greatest indication of Curry’s value was his absence this season. While intelligent basketball fans always knew his value, stats & highlight watchers have often been skeptical of his greatness. Without diving into the stats, it can be simply put that the Warriors’ offense struggles without their star point guard. Not only can Curry light it up on any given night, he is also the engine for the Warriors’ dominance. Could they win a championship without Kevin Durant? Maybe. Can they win a championship without Steph Curry? Absolutely not.
7. Damian Lillard- Portland Trail Blazers (26.7 PTS, 4.8 REB, 5.8 AST, .5 BLK, .9 STL, .452 FG%, .895 FT%):
Damian Lillard is playing like post all-star Dame, pre-all-star. If that doesn’t scare the rest of the NBA, I don’t know what will. Lillard has been a constant threat for the Trail Blazers. I have previously called him the most clutch player in today’s NBA. Damian Lillard has continued to prove how clutch and capable he is, early this year. The Trail Blazers are competing for a top seed in the West, and that starts with Damian Lillard.
6. Kevin Durant- Golden State Warriors (28.5 PTS, 7.5 REB, 6.2 AST, 1.0 BLK, .8 STL, .506 FG%, .912 FT%):
Simply put, Kevin Durant continues to be one of the most lethal offensive threats we have ever seen play the game of basketball. His durability, abilities, and commitment to playing defense, is why Durant is 6th on my list. He absolutely has an argument to be higher as well. Although he remains 2nd best in the NBA on my list, KD’s 6th place on my MVP list is simply a product of being on a great team. The guys in front of him are doing a lot more, mostly because they need to.
5. Joel Embiid- Philadelphia 76ers (26.5PTS, 13.4 REB, 3.5 AST, 1.9 BLK, .5 STL, .484 FG%, .797 FT%):
Joel Embiid continues to resemble modern day Hakeem Olajuwon. He is incredibly gifted on the offensive end, and a presence on the defensive end. He is easy to build around and find different line ups to work with. Once Philadelphia acquires a couple more shooters, I expect Embiid to dominate a step further with the extra space. The 76ers are really good with him, really bad without him. He is fun to watch and everything the NBA wants in a star. Would not be surprised if he rallied for a top MVP spot to end the year.
4. Paul George- Oklahoma City Thunder (26.5 PTS, 8.2 REB, 4.1 AST, .5 BLK, 1.6 AST, .497 FG%, .837 FT%):
I know what you’re thinking, how is Paul George here and his teammate isn’t. I’m sorry to disappoint Alex Abrines fans, but George has been the MVP for the Thunder this year. There is a very strong argument to make that he is the best defender in the NBA right now. Along side that, he is having his best statistical season to date. George has been a constant for OKC while his fellow star teammate, Russell Westbrook, continues to fight through his personal struggles on the court. The George swap with Oladipo & Sabonis is starting to look like the most fair trade in the history of NBA.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo- Milwaukee Bucks (26.3 PTS, 12.6 REB, 6.1 REB, 1.6 STL, 1.3 BLK, .586 FG%, .695 FT%):
The second greatest thing to happen to the Bucks organization in the last decade was signing head coach Mike Budenholzer. The greatest was drafting Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo’s constant hard work, along side Budenholzer’s system, has helped Antetokounmpo take a step forward in his development. The scary part? He’s only 24 years old. The Bucks have the best record in the NBA at 26-10 and are very hard to beat at home. Antetokounmpo’s only knocks are his FT% and his abysmal 3P%. He will need to shoot a little bit better than a .152 3P% to climb this MVP ladder.
2. LeBron James- Los Angeles Lakers (27.3 PTS, 8.3 REB, 7.1 AST, .7 BLK, 1.5 STL, .518 FG%, .682 FT%):
King James has been more than just a great player for the Lakers Organization; he has been a culture changer. The young Lakers core believe they can compete, thus are actually competing. James’ greatness cannot be defined by a trophy. He dominates the game of basketball, while making his teammates better at the same time. There are very few in NBA history who are capable of what LeBron does so seamlessly. James could drink a little bit less wine and work on his free throws though.
1.James Harden- Houston Rockets (33.3 PTS, 5.8 REB, 8.4 AST, .5 BLK, 2.1 STL, .442 FG%, .849 FT%):
No Chris Paul? No Problem. James Harden has activated his MVP mode and has been taking over the NBA. The Rockets have climbed from the fourteenth seed, all the way to the fourth seed in the Western Conference. They have also won 9 of their last 10. Unfortunately for NBA fans, the Rockets have done that by watching James Harden pound the air out of the basketball and shoot a lot of free throws. We can knock the players guarding him. We can knock the referees. What I cannot do, is knock Harden for getting to the free throw line. Until he cools down or somebody figures out a way to stop him, Harden will assume the no.1 spot on the Per Sources Week 12 NBA MVP Ladder.
I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING. WHERE’S,
11. Anthony Davis- New Orleans Pelicans (28.5 PTS, 13.0 REB, 4.5 AST, 2.6 BLK, 1.7 STL, .507 FG%, .803 FT%)?:
A lot of people want to make excuses for Davis and the Pelicans. I have a hard time defending a player on a team that is 14th in the conference. By my estimation, he is the fifth best player in the NBA. On this MVP ladder, you’re going to need to win a little. He is valuable, just not to winning, not right now.
There are many guys who have arguments to be made to be on this list. Whether it’s Oladipo, Irving, Towns, Butler, Griffin, Westbrook, or several others, the NBA is loaded with talent. I’m sure this will be one of those years where things chance week after week.
Are you mad at any of my snubs? Let me know your thoughts via @TPRx11