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NBA MVP predictions – Roundtable

By Parker Fleming

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder receives the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award at the NBA Awards Show on June 26, 2017 at Basketball City at Pier 36 in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 26: Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder receives the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award at the NBA Awards Show on June 26, 2017 at Basketball City at Pier 36 in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – APRIL 27: Head coach David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies congratulates Kawhi Leonard
MEMPHIS, TN – APRIL 27: Head coach David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies congratulates Kawhi Leonard /

Kawhi Leonard

Last year’s top MVP candidates, winner Russell Westbrook and runner-up James Harden, received All-NBA help this year in Paul George and Chris Paul. Seeing one of them win the MVP is quite difficult.

The Warriors have a four-headed monster in Golden State, making it hard for Curry and Durant to make a case for MVP. LeBron is usually more focused on the playoffs than the regular season, especially as he ages.

This leaves me to Kawhi Leonard. The Silent Assassin has laid low as the Western Conference keeps improving. If the Spurs hold a top-3 seed, Kawhi could make his case for MVP – especially if he combines his Defensive Player of the Year play with a top-5 scoring campaign. — Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA)

Leonard came close last year, finishing third to two simply historic seasons from Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Conveniently for Leonard, they were both somewhat neutered this summer by the arrival of a 2nd superstar.

Like it or not, narratives mean a lot in the MVP race. And if Kawhi keeps the Spurs competitive among a glut of multi-star teams in the West (highly likely), he feels like the safest bet. There’s too much potential for the Rockets’, Warriors’ and Thunder’s candidates to Shaq-and-Kobe each other, and too many questions surrounding the Cavs for me to argue for anyone else. — AJ Salah (@Salas42_)

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