The Most Valuable Player award is something that a player wants to achieve even once in his career. In the NBA, there are a lot of guys who compete for the award and the competition is very tight. Winning the MVP is an achievement that is very hard to get. Only the greatest players to ever play the game wins the MVP. Sometimes a player wants to win the MVP more than a championship.
The criteria in winning the MVP award is somewhat intriguing. I mean, how does winning the award being judge? What are the criteria? How can we say that one player deserves the MVP award? Some people believe that the award must be given to a player that makes the most impact in the game, not looking at the team's record or standing. Sometimes people believe that the MVP must be given to the best player on the best team with the best record in the league.
An example of that is the debate between LeBron James and James Harden. Harden won the MVP award last season and it's hard to argue because he took the Houston Rockets to the Western Conference Finals and finished with the best record last season. He almost beat the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. That's a very hard statement to argue that Harden didn't deserve to win the MVP.
But if you have watched LeBron all-season long last season, you must agree with me that LeBron should've won the award. Yes, I personally believe that LeBron has been robbed. He deserve to win the MVP after he single-handedly carry the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals. Yes Kevin Love is a great help but not much of an impact. Remember that LeBron finished off the Boston Celtics in Game 7 at the Garden without Kevin Love. LeBron deserves all the credit with this team and if you watched him all season especially in the playoffs, you will surely agree with me with no doubt. He played all 82 games and played heavy minutes despite his age. But it's already finished. The decision cannot be change and Harden have won it. Let's just see next season how LeBron will carry the Lakers back to the top.
Now I am going to discuss the top Dark Horses that I think has a shot to win the MVP.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Now that LeBron is already in the Western Conference, now is the time for Giannis Antetokounmpo to take the Bucks to another level. Giannis is already an scary player and is already in the MVP conversation last year but his team's lack of success held him back.
The Greek Freak is working hard in the gym this off-season and he has gained a lot of muscle and looks much stronger. Hope those muscles doesn't affect his speed and quickness. Giannis' only weakness is his lack of shooting. He's not a consistent shooter from mid-range and from the three-point line. But the Bucks must not worry because Giannis is young and still not yet in his prime. He will surely develop his liability and improve his game.
If Giannis lead the Milwaukee Bucks to the top of the Eastern Conference he will surely be in the top 3 candidates for the MVP award.
Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler is one of the best Two-way superstars in the league today. He's a former Most Improved Player of the year and if he brings the Minnesota Timberwolves to the playoffs again and finished the regular season with the third or fourth seed in the Western Conference, he will have a huge chance in winning the MVP award.
The Timberwolves are full of high level young talents but they are not ready at the big stage. They're lack of character are the reason why they weren't able to find success. Having a veteran like Jimmy Butler helps this team a lot and him being the leader of the team makes them stronger and ready for the playoffs.
According to reports, Jimmy is not in good terms with Minnesota's young talents like Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins and this may affect his performance next season. He maybe thinking of the future and going anywhere else as he declined the contract extension that Minnesota offered him.
Victor Oladipo
You know what I'm talking about here basketball fans! Dipo is a beast. Watching him carry the Indiana Pacers to the playoffs is unbelievable. After the departure of Paul George nobody believes that the Pacers will make the playoffs and they will start their rebuilding process. But Victor Oladipo changes everything. He lead this team to the big stage but they're just aren't lucky because their first assignment in the playoffs turns out to be LeBron James and the Cavs.
Victor earned his first all-star game last season and led the league in steals. He turned this Indiana Team from being a mediocre team to a contender in the Eastern Conference. He's got an outstanding work ethic and heart for the game. He even texted his trainer when will they start training right after the game seven lost in the first round of the playoffs. Wow. What an attitude.
Dipo did well in that series and almost beat LeBron James and the Cavaliers as the series took seven games before it's over. I believe that Victor is now entering his prime very early in his career and he will lead this Indiana Pacers team again next season. He won the Most Improve Player last season and don't be surprise if he will be on the MVP conversation next season.
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