2019-20 NBA Most Valuable Player Race

Dantre Cole 3/4/20

2019-20 NBA Most Valuable Player Rankings

Now that the all-star weekend is over with, NBA teams are currently in week 20 of the season, which is considered the stretch run to determine playoff seeding and figure out who matches up with who in the NBA playoffs this year, yet along determine who will get some of those final playoff spots. Entering the stretch run of the season, here is an overview of my NBA Most Valuable Player Rankings this far into the season.

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5. Damian Lillard, Portland Trailblazers

· 2019-20 stats: 29.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 7.9 apg

What a season Lillard is having, averaging a career high in ppg, apg, and shooting a career high 39.3% from 3 point range this season. Lillard has been nothing but sensational this season for the injury bound Portland Trailblazers this year, carrying the team on his back this season, as they continue to fight for the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Lillard was named to his 5th NBA All-Star selection this season but missed the game due to nursing a groin injury which has caused him to miss Portland’s past 5 games. Lillard is also putting a career high 26.7 PER this season, as well as having a game in which he posted a career high 61 points (also another 60 point game and a 50 point game on the season). With Portland currently sitting at 27-35 and on the outside looking into the playoff picture, it would be a very disappointing season for the Trailblazers if they don’t make the playoffs in the 19-20 season after advancing all the way to the Western Conference Finals last season before being swept by the Golden State Warriors. With Lillard’s mindset and loyalty to Portland, I’m almost sure he isn’t going anywhere, but you do have to ask yourself will the 1-2 backcourt consisting of Lillard and C.J. McCollum eventually have to be broken up for the improvement of the team going forward. Considering the Trailblazers record and injuries this season, one can almost assure that Lillard won’t win the award, but he certainly should receive some votes and should be in everyone’s consideration for the MVP award.

4. Luka Dončić. Dallas Mavericks

·2019-20 stats: 28.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 8.8 apg

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GeJYyeTO44

Via ESPN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiWLfSweyRNmLpgEHekhoAg

The Mavs certainly have a special player for the next decade or so with Dončić. The second year guard is putting up an improvement on numbers all across the board from his rookie campaign. With the Mavs currently sitting in the playoff picture in the tough Western Conference at 37-25, Dončić will certainly receive some love in the MVP voting this season. Mavs fans have to be excited for the future and to have a player like Dončić to lead them into it. Dončić currently has a 27.9 PER, a stat that ranks higher than players such as LeBron James (25.7). Dončić just recently celebrated his 21st birthday, and he did so in style putting up his 21stcareer triple double and his 13th this season. If he doesn’t win the award this season, I guarantee Luka has some MVP awards coming in his future.

3. James Harden, Houston Rockets

· 2019-20 stats: 34.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 7.4 apg

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Is there any surprise here that James Harden is once again on a list for consideration for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player? One of the most gifted offensive talents ever, Harden is once again torching the league, putting up a league best 34.9 ppg and a PER of 29 on the season. Harden is one of the best at getting to the free throw line, averaging a career best 11.8 free throw attempts per game. One of the most versatile on the offensive end, Harden also finds his teammates good looks when he is double teamed, dishing out 7.4 apg. Earlier in the season, the 2017-18 NBA MVP nearly averaged 40 ppg, but with the Rockets going with the small ball rotation after the trade of Clint Capela, Harden is making adjustments getting used to the small ball rotation, along with fellow teammate and former MVP Russell Westbrook, and it seems to be working fine for Houston with the Rockets going 10-2 since the change, and 39-21 overall on the season, good enough for 4thin the Western Conference Playoff race.

2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

· 2019-20 stats: 25.4 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 10.7 apg

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No athlete has ever defeated father time, but LeBron James sure does seem to be coming close in doing so. The numbers LeBron are putting up with the amount of regular season and playoff miles out him is mind blowing. In year 17 of his storied, hall of fame career, LeBron currently leads the league in assists at 10.7 per game. After a lost season last year, LeBron appears to be in go mode as he has all season to prove doubters from last season wrong, and the pairing of new teammate Anthony Davis sure has made an impact for the Lakers. When James is off the floor and on the bench, it is very noticeable how much the Lakers offense struggles. With James on the floor, the Lakers offense flows smooth and fast, with James setting his teammates up with great looks. James is averaging a career low in free throws attempted per game at 5.4, but he’s also averaging a career low in minutes per game at 34.9, which will be a good thing for the 17 year man to be fresh and good to go in the playoffs. With the Lakers holding the number one seed in the Western Conference at 47-13, everything appears to be going as planned for the “washed up king” to chase that 4th championship of his career.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

· 2019-20 stats: 29.6 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 5.8 apg

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The Greek freak is on pace to win his 2nd straight MVP award and no one is going to stop him. Giannis has been unstoppable all season long, averaging a career best in points and rebounds, while putting up an NBA best 31.8 PER. If those numbers don’t catch your attention for Giannis too repeat as MVP, he’s putting up these numbers while only averaging 30.9 minutes per game. Giannis has also improved on his 3 point shooting on the season, shooting 31% from the 3, up from 25% the season before. If the Bucks can keep up there pace of having the best record in the NBA at 53-9, the odds of Giannis repeating as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player seem pretty good as they head into their post season run after last years disappointing end to the season.

Basketball Reference, Sports Radar, 4 Mar. 2020, www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/doncilu01.html.

Basketball Reference, Sports Radar, 4 Mar. 2020, www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html.

Basketball Reference, Sports Radar, 4 Mar. 2020, www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lillada01.html.

Basketball Reference, Sports Radar, 4 Mar. 2020, www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01.html.

Basketball Reference, Sports Radar, 4 Mar. 2020, www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/antetgi01.html.

YouTube, ESPN, 28 Feb. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GeJYyeTO44.