One month into a new NBA season, and the top of the MVP rankings don't look too much different from last season's. The ascension of the Memphis Grizzlies into the top tier of teams has added a few new faces to the ranks, but most of the other top players have been here before. Here are my current rankings for the early-season MVP leaders, grouped by similar level of performance.
1. LeBron James - MIA - 25.0 pts, 8.9 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.1 stl, .533 FG%, .435 3P%
2. Kevin Durant - OKC - 26.5 pts, 8.8 reb, 4.4 ast, 1.6 blk, 1.6 stl, .510 FG%
3. Russell Westbrook - OKC - 20.8 pts, 5.1 reb, 8.6 ast, 2.0 stl, .772 FT%
4. Chris Bosh - MIA - 20.1 pts, 8.4 reb, 1.4 ast, 1.3 blk, .560 FG%, .862 FT%
5. Marc Gasol - MEM - 15.6 pts, 7.1 reb, 4.5 ast, 1.4 blk, .897 FT%
6. Carmelo Anthony - NYK - 26.1 pts, 7.0 reb, 2.1 ast, .440 3P%, .789 FT%
7. Zach Randolph - MEM - 16.3 pts, 12.6 reb, 1.5 ast
8. Kobe Bryant - LAL - 26.9 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.1 ast, 1.6 stl, .405 3P%, .875 FT%
9. Rudy Gay - MEM - 19.1 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.3 ast, 1.4 stl, .409 3P%, .787 FT%
10. Tim Duncan - SAS - 18.4 pts, 9.8 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.5 blk, .529 FG%, .760 FT%
Honorable Mention - David Lee - GSW
What can you say about LeBron James? He is one of the 10 greatest players ever to play the game, and he is only 27 years old. Somehow, he keeps getting better every year. This is the 6th straight season in which he has improved his shooting percentage, and he is also averaging career highs in 3-point percentage and rebounding so far this year. And his team? Sitting at 1st place in the Eastern Conference, which is where LeBron has spent the majority of his career. It will take something big to prevent James from winning another MVP, and it may come down to the voters getting tired of giving him the award, a la Michael Jordan.
Sitting in second place just like he did all through last season and right through the Finals is Kevin Durant, who is undoubtedly a great player, but is not on the same level as LeBron. Durant is three years younger, so he has time to get there, and he once again has the Thunder near the top of the Western Conference, but he is not leading the league in scoring, instead allowing the ancient Kobe Bryant to nudge him out of the top spot for the first time in years. He will need the scoring title for a real shot at dethroning LeBron as the MVP.
Predictions
Upset picks are in italics.
NBA
Brooklyn at Miami - Heat by 3
Portland at Cleveland - Cavaliers by 4
Philadelphia at Chicago - Bulls by 7
Oklahoma City at New Orleans - Thunder by 12
Utah at Houston - Rockets by 6
Boston at Milwaukee - Bucks by 1
Memphis at San Antonio - Spurs by 3
Detroit at Dallas - Pistons by 1
Sacramento at LA Clippers - Clippers by 11
Indiana at Golden State - Warriors by 4
College Basketball
Coppin State at (1) Indiana - Hoosiers by 45
Delaware at (2) Duke - Blue Devils by 20
(3) Michigan at Bradford - Wolverines by 10
North Kentucky at (4) Ohio State - Buckeyes by 38
Illinois State at (5) Louisville - Cardinals by 4
Baylor at (8) Kentucky - Wildcats by 12
(9) Arizona at Texas Tech - Wildcats by 20
Saint Joseph's at (11) Creighton - Bluejays by 3
Pacific at (12) Gonzaga - Bulldogs by 30
Nicholls State at (13) Michigan State - Spartans by 19
UAB at (14) North Carolina - Tar Heels by 14
(15) Oklahoma State at Virginia Tech - Cowboys by 6
Appalachian State at (16) Missouri - Tigers by 30
Alabama at (17) Cincinnati - Bearcats by 19
(19) Colorado at Wyoming - Cowboys by 14
North Florida at (21) Minnesota - Golden Gophers by 19
(23) San Diego State vs. UCLA - Aztecs by 3
Hawaii at (24) UNLV - Rebels by 28
(25) New Mexico at Indiana State - Lobos by 3
Rutgers at Ole Miss - Rebels by 29
Detroit at Pittsburgh - Panthers by 26
San Diego at Stephen F Austin - Lumberjacks by 31
BYU at Iowa State - Cyclones by 15
Belmont at VCU - Rams by 13
Prediction Results
NBA: 10-1 (.909) 155-77 overall (.668)
Upsets: 3-0 (1.000) 33-21 overall (.611)
College Basketball: 3-0 (1.000) 179-43 overall (.806)
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