James Harden over Russell Westbrook in MVP Revote

What if I informed you that in spite of averaging a triple-double, Russell Westbrook shouldn’t have been selected MVP in 2017? What if I explained to you Giannis should’ve been MVP about Nikola Jokic this past season? During most NBA seasons, there is a heated race at the leading involving two or 3 candidates most deserving of the MVP award. Voters and lovers struggle to identify the accurate indicating of value in rating the greatest performers through a unique season and their influence on their team. I have taken it on myself to vote on the final 10 MVPs and see how my picks vary from the formal voters. 

Criteria

Action a single in voting for MVP is establishing dependable criteria. The MVP is purely a common period award, which I cannot solely agree with because I consider the most crucial year, the postseason, is in which the most useful gamers are exhibited. On the other hand, I will stick to this criterion only considering standard year perform. The most significant emphasis in my analysis will be on particular person statistical output, including effectiveness and counting stats.

Then I will think about staff accomplishment as most gamers in the MVP conversation are putting up extraordinary stats. The unwritten rule has been that an MVP winner generally has to be a top rated 3 seed in their respective convention. Due to the fact 1985, only two MVP winners have not been top 3 seeds in their conference, Russell Westbrook in 2017 and Nikola Jokic in 2022. The seeding is essential, but I also search at the earn % of the group when that candidate is in the lineup and review it to the other candidates.

Last of all, I aspect in the player’s situation, supporting forged, coaching, etc. Most MVP candidates are the driving power of their team’s good results devoid of them on the floor, their workforce would be substantially worse. I will not get into the hypothetical video game of observing which group would be even worse without their star, but I will go off of the data we have and the assist/deficiency thereof close to them. 

Harden around Westbrook

In this exercise, I only disagreed with two MVP picks, Russell Westbrook in 2017 and Nikola Jokic in 2022. Both equally players experienced phenomenal historic statistical production in these seasons, but James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo had superior, more total seasons. James Harden in 2017 was two rebounds shy of averaging a triple-double much too! In addition, he led the league in assists averaging 11.2 for every video game, finishing second in PPG (29.1). In addition, Harden had a better FG%, 3PT%, EFG%, and TS% than Westbrook. The Rockets have been also the greater seed, a top a few seed, as Harden led Houston to 55 wins when compared to Westbrook’s 47 and 6th seed. Neither Harden nor Westbrook had an All-Star on their group. I imagine the media narrative of Westbrook having completed a scarce historic triple-double feat was finally the explanation he received the award, but statistically and with crew results, Harden was far better.

Giannis about Jokic

Giannis just had a normal period that had folks referring to him as plainly the ideal participant on the planet. Nevertheless, when it was time for the MVP discussion, he regularly arrived in third at the rear of Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, which was really puzzling to me. Giannis completed 2nd to Joel Embiid in a scoring title race that was neck and neck until eventually the incredibly conclusion. He also grabbed virtually 12 boards a night time with six helps. Jokic all round experienced the edge in offensive manufacturing, although considerably from a landslide (Giannis scored far more and also delivers playmaking to the table). Only 1 participant was named to to start with team All-NBA and to start with crew All-Protection this past year, Giannis Antetonkounmpo. His Bucks also had a better gain % than both equally the Nuggets and 76ers! The Bucks ended up also the only top rated 3 seed among these groups. All three groups experienced major time without having star players, although admittedly, the Nuggets and 76ers did have significantly less guidance for their superstars in the typical time (arguably unique when Harden arrived). With all the points on the table, Giannis nevertheless had the finest normal period all round, which is why he’d obtain my vote. 

Grading MVP voters

Ordinarily, the voters do conclude up finding these awards proper. Having said that, at times media narratives and slipping in really like with unique requirements factors can skew the discussion in someone’s favor. To search again at an full ten years of winners and only disagree with two signifies that I would give the voters an 80% quality which is great. As extensive as we are dependable,  I never mind the success but staying dependable with the conditions means a different MVP for James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo!