The season is nearly a quarter of the way done, so I have crunched the numbers for every player in the league in order to rank the top candidates for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Sixth Man of the Year based on their statistical performance as compared to other players at their position. In the MVP rankings, I also take into account how the players' performance affects their teams' performance. Here are my current ranking for each award:
Most Valuable Player
1. James Harden - HOU - 31.1 P, 4.9 R, 9.8 A, 1.6 S, .447 FG, .395 3P, .865 FT
Harden is currently leading the league in both scoring and assists, a feat that has been accomplished only once in history, and he also has the Rockets sitting in first place in the West so far. There really is no question that he is the first quarter MVP.
2. LeBron James - CLE - 28.5 P, 7.8 R, 8.6 A, 1.2 S, 1.2 B, .580 FG, .422 3P, .769 FT
James is averaging a career high in field goal and three point percentage and has his highest scoring average in 8 years, and has dragged the Cavaliers, who are far inferior to their teams of recent years, back into the playoff picture.
3. Stephen Curry - GSW - 25.9 P, 5.3 R, 6.3 A, 1.8 S, .474 FG, .381 3P, .942 FT
One of the best free throw shooters in history is having his best season ever from the line so far, plus he is still scoring as much as last year while the Warriors are near the top of the standings again.
4. Kevin Durant - GSW - 24.7 P, 6.8 R, 4.7 A, 2.1 B, .529 FG, .432 3P, .868 FT
Durant was one of the MVP leaders last year before an injury caused him to miss 20 games. He is slightly down this year, which is why he is behind his teammate, but he is still a huge part of Golden State's success.
5. Anthony Davis - NOP - 25.8 P, 11.1 R, 2.9 A, 1.3 S, 1.8 B, .573 FG, .378 3P, .795 FT
The Pelicans could actually make the playoffs this year, and Davis is the biggest reason. He's been playing at this level for 4 years, and he's been on the borderline of my rankings for all of that time, but getting his team to the playoffs would move him up a level.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo - MIL - 29.7 P, 10.3 R, 4.4 A, 1.6 S, 1.9 B, .552 FG, .763 FT
Last season's Most Improved Player is still improving, scoring nearly 7 points per game more than last season, good for #2 in the league so far, and Milwaukee is in the playoff hunt with a winning record.
7. DeMarcus Cousins - NOP - 26.1 P, 12.9 R, 5.4 A, 1.7 S, 1.4 B, .462 FG, .323 3P, .772 FT
Cousins looks statistically a little better than his teammate Davis, but his low shooting percentage for a center puts him a couple of spots behind, though his impact on the Pelicans cannot be denied.
8. DeMar DeRozan - TOR - 24.1 P, 4.4 R, 4.4 A, 1.3 S, .477 FG, .302 3P, .812 FT
His numbers have slipped a little since last year, but Toronto is still one of the top teams in the East, and he is easily their best player.
9. Kyrie Irving - BOS - 22.9 P, 3.2 R, 5.1 A, 1.7 S, .476 FG, .369 3P, .876 FT
Irving doesn't score as much as the other contenders on this list, and he doesn't get many assists for a point guard, but his Celtics have the best record in the league without Gordon Hayward, their big free agent signing.
10. Russell Westbrook - OKC - 21.2 P, 8.9 R, 9.7 A, 2.1 S, .397 FG, .730 FT
Last season's MVP is still filling up the stat sheet, but his scoring has dipped by 10 points, and the Thunder are struggling in close games. He could still make a run at a repeat award, but not the way things are going right now.
Honorable Mention - Damian Lillard - POR, Kristaps Porzingis - NYK - Victor Oladipo - IND, Bradley Beal - WAS
Rookie of the Year
1. Ben Simmons - PHI - 18.5 P, 9.1 R, 7.7 A, 2.1 S, .513 FG, .566 FT
Last season's #1 pick is finally playing, and he was worth the wait. He needs to improve his free throw shooting, but his presence has completely changed the 76ers. If he keeps it up and the Sixers keep winning, he could find himself in the MVP discussion before the season ends.
2. Jayson Tatum - BOS - 14.0 P, 5.7 R, 1.4 A, 1.0 S, .497 FG, .500 3P, .848 FT
Tatum is an important part of the team with the league's best record, but he is not going to win this award unless Simmons gets hurt.
3. John Collins - ATL - 11.8 P, 7.4 R, 0.9 A, .583 FG, .761 FT
Collins is not a big name, but he has provided good minutes off the bench for Atlanta, and is #8 in the league in shooting percentage, but he needs to get his fouls under control, as he is leading the entire league in that category.
4. Lauri Markkanen - CHI - 14.6 P, 8.2 R, 1.4 A, .401 FG, .345 3P, .804 FT
The #7 pick has been as good as advertised so far, scoring and rebounding at a good rate while shooting the ball well from the outside, but his overall shooting percentage is not great for a 7-footer.
5. Kyle Kuzma - LAL - 16.8 P, 6.3 R, 1.5 A, .498 FG, .366 3P, .759 FT
He is obviously not the most famous rookie on the Lakers, but he is definitely the best, averaging almost twice as many points while shooting more than 18% better than Ball.
Sixth Man of the Year
1. Tyreke Evans - MEM - 17.7 P, 5.1 R, 3.4 A, 1.1 S, .500 FG, .413 3P, .762 FT
The former Rookie of the Year is having his best season since he was a rookie, and he has been Memphis' best player despite coming off the bench, and his presence could get the Grizzlies back into the playoffs.
2. Jordan Clarkson - LAL - 15.1 P, 2.5 R, 2.6 A, .487 FG, .355 3P, .750 FT
Clarkson is a little behind Evans in every category, but he seems to play better coming off the bench for the Lakers than he did when he started for them a couple years ago.
3. Lou Williams - LAC - 17.3 P, 2.6 R, 3.8 A, .447 FG, .365 3P, .877 FT
My pick for last season's 6th man has not slowed down despite playing for his 5th team in 5 seasons, and his shooting and scoring will keep him in the running for this award as long as he is not starting.
4. Will Barton - DEN - 14.6 P, 5.2 R, 3.0 A, 1.0 S, .464 FG, .407 3P, .661 FT
He is struggling from the line, 11% below his career average, but he is having a career year otherwise, and Denver is actually looking pretty good.
5. Rudy Gay - SAS - 11.8 P, 4.9 R, 1.6 A, .465 FG, .378 3P, .826 FT
Gay is coming off the bench for the first time in his career, so even though his numbers are his lowest since he was a rookie, he's doing it in 13 fewer minutes than he is used to, and he is making solid contributions.
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