Basketball
Oracle
This is my version of NBA.com's Race to the MVP.
I will try and make a new edition weekly.
They will be posted on Sundays.
The MVP Race: Week 2 & 3
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!
I haven't posted a new "The MVP Race" in a couple weeks now. Sorry, I have just not felt like spending time to write it. But now I'm back and will be posting the new editions on this site. So, Happy Thanksgiving Day (even though thanksgiving was yesterday) and hopefully everyone had a lot of turkey.
Just Missed Out: Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett, Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson, Derrick Rose, Brandon Roy
10. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks / Team Record: 7-7
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 24.6 | 8.6 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 0.9 | .441 | .910 |
Last Edition: 18
Dirk has quietly led the Mavericks back into decency this season. They started out 2-4, but then Dirk went on a tear and had some huge games. He brought them back and won the game against the Knicks, and was the reason they had the lead on the Lakers before the Lakers game back and won.
9. Chauncey Billups, Nuggets / Team Record: 10-6
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 16.4 | 2.8 | 6.8 | 1.5 | 0.4 | .384 | .889 |
Last Edition: Not Ranked
Ever since Billups joined the Nuggets, they have been doing great. He is the defensive-minded veteran point guard that they've always needed. He isn't shooting great right now, but he is setting up his teammates for easy scores and making them play defense.
8. Paul Pierce, Celtics / Team Record: 14-2
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 19.1 | 7.1 | 3.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | .408 | .833 |
Last Edition: 13
Pierce has been the leader of the Celtics this season. He has won them games that they were trailing in and looked like they might lose. He hit the game winner against the Hawks, and just so happened to get to the free throw line when he got the ball in the clutch.
7. Chris Bosh, Raptors / Team Record: 7-7
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 27.6 | 10.5 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.9 | .556 | .826 |
Last Edition: 5
CB4 had been a stats beast this season, but the problem is that his team isn't winning. Its not his fault, but you can't be higher with a .500 record and some bad games (vs. Celtics). Once Jose Calderon, Bosh, and Jermaine O'Neal are all together, the Raptors record will improve and Bosh will move up on this list.
6. Dwyane Wade, Heat / Team Record 7-8
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 27.4 | 4.9 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 1.7 | .482 | .747 |
Last Edition: 6
D-Wade has been amazing this season, he has some of the best all-around stats in the NBA, including blocking 1.7 shots per game as a 6-4 shooting guard. I know I said for Bosh that even with his amazing stats he can't be higher with his teams record, Dwyane Wade has better stats and a worse team than Bosh so he is ahead even though his team has lost 1 more game than Bosh's.
5. Tim Duncan, Spurs / Team Record: 8-6
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 21.7 | 9.9 | 3.3 | 0.2 | 1.7 | .537 | .675 |
Last Edition: 16
Big Fundamentals has led the injury plagued Spurs to an 8-6 record and 8th seed in the tough West. Even though that doesn't seem good, it is because Manu and Parker were injured and the only other people on the team were all old. He will move down on this list once Manu and Parker return though.
4. Dwight Howard, Magic / Team Record: 12-4
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 21.2 | 13.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 3.9 | .588 | .572 |
Last Edition: 10
DH12 has been a rebounding beast this season, like always. He leads the league in blocks and is 2nd in rebounding, but he will probably be first in rebounding by the end of next month. His team also has a really good record.
3. Kobe Bryant, Lakers / Team Record: 12-1
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 23.7 | 5.0 | 3.9 | 1.8 | 0.7 | .452 | .831 |
Last Edition: 2
Even though Kobe's stats suck (compared to recent seasons), his team is #1 in the league and would be undefeated if it wasn't for a bad game against the Pistons. Kobe hasn't done much, but without him the Lakers wouldn't be favorites and wouldn't have this good of a record.
2. Chris Paul, Hornets / Team Record: 9-5
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 20.6 | 5.7 | 12.0 | 2.9 | 0.2 | .524 | .865 |
Last Edition: 4
CP3 has the same story as D-Wade and CB4, except for the fact that his team has a better record and he is in the Western Conference. The Hornets record is mediocre, but they have had injuries to Morris Peterson, Tyson Chandler, and Peja Stojakovic so far this season.
1. LeBron James, Cavaliers / Team Record: 12-3
| PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
| 27.9 | 7.2 | 6.3 | 1.9 | 0.9 | .487 | .786 |
Last Edition: 1
LBJ23 has been insane so far this season. He has huge stats and his team is 2nd in the East. Mo Williams and LeBron James has turned out to be a much better duo than anyone expected. The Cavs won't be able to keep up this pace all season, but LeBron will be able to keep up these stats all season and they will have a top seed in the East.
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The MVP Race: Week 1
Stat Line(s) of the Week:
Tony Parker vs. Timberwolves - 55 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds
Amare Stoudemire vs. Pacers - 49 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists
1. Lebron James, Cavaliers
Last week: 2
Stats: PPG -- 25.8; RPG -- 8.0; APG -- 7.8; SPG -- 2.2; BPG -- 0.6; FG% -- .457; FT% -- .782
The Cavaliers are at a good 4-2 start to the season and Lebron is the reason why. Against the Pacers he had a near triple-double with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists.
2. Kobe Bryant, Lakers
Last week: 1
Stats: PPG -- 24.8; RPG -- 6.3; APG -- 3.5; SPG -- 1.75; BPG -- 0.5; FG% -- .446; FT% -- .816
The Lakers, Hawks, and Jazz are the only undefeated teams in the league. The Lakers have won by an average of 20 points. Kobe's stats haven't been great, but he has led his team to an undefeated record and the best defense in the league.
3. Amare Stoudemire, Suns
Last week: 10
Stats: PPG -- 25.8; RPG -- 9.8; APG -- 2.6; SPG -- 1.4; BPG -- 1.0; FG% -- .696; FT% -- .846
Amare has become the star of the Suns with his stats and dominating play. He had a 49-point outing against the Pacers, which is why he is this high.
4. Chris Paul, Hornets
Last week: 3
Stats: PPG -- 21.8; RPG -- 5.3; APG -- 11.8; SPG -- 2.5; BPG -- 0.5; FG% -- .508; FT% -- .857
So far this season Paul has continued to build in his MVP-worthy season last year. He has similar stats to last season, but this year the Hornets should be even better which will improve his MVP chances.
5. Chris Bosh, Raptors
Last week: 7
Stats: PPG -- 26.0; RPG -- 10.8; APG -- 3.0; SPG -- 0.75; BPG -- 0.75; FG% -- .514; FT% -- .800
Bosh has led the Raptors to a 3-0 start and created good chemistry with Jermaine O'Neal.
6. Dwyane Wade, Heat
Last week: 4
Stats: PPG -- 23.5; RPG -- 5.8; APG -- 7.3; SPG -- 3.0; BPG -- 2.0; FG% -- .455; FT% -- .739
He led the Heat to a winning record for the first time in a long time. The Heat are at 3-2, which is the same record that the championship contender Hornets have.
7. Joe Johnson, Hawks
Last week: Not Ranked
Stats: PPG -- 28.5; RPG -- 3.7; APG -- 5.7; SPG -- 0.67; BPG -- 0.0; FG% -- .547; FT% -- .889
JJ has proved that he is like a mini Kobe Bryant by leading his team to an undefeated start and getting all around stats while making his teammates better.
8. Carlos Boozer, Jazz
Last week: 20
Stats: PPG -- 20.8; RPG -- 10.0; APG -- 2.0; SPG -- 0.5; BPG -- 0.25; FG% -- .627; FT% -- .750
Even without Deron Williams, the Jazz are undefeated because of Boozer's spectacular play. He is averaging 20 and 10 while shooting over 60% from the field.
9. Tony Parker, Spurs
Last week: Not ranked
Stats: PPG -- 33.3; RPG -- 3.8; APG -- 7.3; SPG -- 0.5; BPG -- 0.0; FG% -- .564; FT% -- .889
Tony Parker and Tim Duncan have had trouble carrying the Spurs while Manu Ginobili is gone, as shown by their 1-4 record. But Parker gave them their only win of the season with his 55-point outing against the Timberwolves, and it wasn't like he was hogging the ball either because he finished with 10 assists.
10. Dwight Howard, Magic
Last week: 6
Stats: PPG -- 20.2; RPG -- 13.2; APG -- 1.2; SPG -- 1.4; BPG -- 4.2; FG% -- .609; FT% -- .442
The Magic started off to a disappointing start, but Dwight hasn't. He is duplicating his stats from last year and once the Magic start doing better, he will be ranked higher. Expect this to be the lowest he goes this season.
High Riser of the Week: Joe Johnson (+13 or more)
Free Faller of the Week: Deron Williams (-12 or more)
11. Ron Artest, Rockets
12. Brandon Roy, Blazers
13. Paul Pierce, Celtics
14. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
15. Danny Granger, Pacers
16. Tim Duncan, Spurs
17. Kevin Garnett, Celtics
18. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
19. Jason Kidd, Mavericks
20. Tracy McGrady, Rockets
*All stats and records are accurate as of Saturday, November 8.
