Now that the NBA season is nearly a third of the way completed, the league is beginning to separate into the haves and have nots. While basketball is a team game, every club needs to get some pretty outstanding production from their star players in order to remain at the top of the standings and make that ultimate push towards an NBA Title. We have been treated to yet another season of winning basketball from the Lakers, Celtics, and Mavericks and coincidentally a number of the Association’s biggest stars are once again having MVP type years.
Household names like Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James will annually be in the hunt for the title of league’s Most Valuable Player but this season a few other players like Amare Stoudemire, Chris Paul, and Rajon Rondo have been playing out of their minds to help keep their squads in contention well into December.
Here are my NBA MVP Rankings for December:
1) Dirk Nowitzki
Dallas Mavericks
24.8 ppg, 7.6 reb, 2.3 ast, 1 blk, .558 FG%, .424 3PT%, .862 FT%
Team Record: 21-5(2nd in West)
Fresh off of winning another Western Conference Player of the Week Award, Dirk is having one of his best seasons statistically of his 13+ year career. He ranks in the Top 5 in the league in scoring, while shooting a career best in FG% and 3 PT%. Dirk also has been money from the charity stripe, once again hitting on nearly 90% of attempts. Over the years he has proven to be one of the Association’s best finishers(‘07 Finals not included) but has had a ton of help this season from the outstanding supporting cast surrounding him with the likes of Jason Terry, Caron Butler, Jason Kidd, and even Tyson Chandler. This season, he has scored in double figures in every game and has notched 7 double-doubles en route to helping the Mavs keep within 2 games of the scorching hot Spurs, who currently have the league’s best record. Dirk has helped Dallas off to their best start since ‘02(22-3), mainly behind a 12 game win streak from Nov 24th through Dec 13th vs Milwaukee.
2) Derrick Rose
Chicago Bulls
24.3 ppg, 8.4 ast, 4.4 reb, 1 stl, .460 FG%, .418 3PT%
Team Record: 16-9(3rd in East)
Where would the Bulls be this year without the ever improving play of D. Rose? The former ‘09 NBA Rookie of the Year continues his ascent towards superstar status as he has helped keep the Bulls in Playoff contention with numerous members of his supporting cast sidelined with injuries. With Carlos Boozer’s unfortunate wrist injury keeping him out of action until early December, Rose took on more of the scoring burden, even at times ranking among the Top 3 in the league in PPG. Rose’s offensive numbers are up across the board, averaging career highs in scoring, assists, rebounds, and steals. The key to his dramatic improvement has been his 3 point shooting, where his is 150 percentage points higher than his career numbers, making him almost un-guardable from the perimeter. Derrick will once again look to shoulder the burden of keeping his team afloat while center Joakim Noah rehabs from a broken thumb. At least this time he has some help from multi time All Star Carlos Boozer.
3) Ama’re Stoudemire
NY Knicks
26.5 ppg, 9.4 reb, 2.4 ast, 2.1 blk, 1 stl, .528 FG%, .784 FT%
Team Record: 16-12(6th in East)
Until a recent 3 game losing streak, the New York Knicks, led by Stoudemire and point guard Ray Felton, had been on a role, winning 8 straight and 13 of 14 games to rank among the Top 5 teams in the East. During that stretch, Ama’re has been arguably the league’s best player, scoring 30 or more points in 9 consecutive games, until being held to only 24 against Miami. Most impressive has been Ama’re’s dedication to rebounding, where he has notched 14 games of 10+ boards, to rank 6th in the league in double-doubles. His surgically repaired knee must be just fine as he appears to once again have his explosion back, even ranking in the Top 10 in blocked shots. While most fans in New York this off-season clamored for the services of Lebron James to play in the Big Apple, seeing Ama’re rank 2nd in the league in scoring, while leading his club back to Playoff contention has breathed life back into MSG.
4) Manu Ginobili
San Antonio Spurs
19.9 ppg, 4.9 ast, 3.6 ast, 1.7 stl, .460 FG%, .363 3PT%, .888 FT%
Team Record: 23-3(1st in West)
While winning is nothing new to the San Antonio Spurs, having someone other than future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan lead the club in offensive output is. With the “Big Fundamental” slowly beginning to show his age(13.9 ppg, 9.5 reb), most of the scoring has been coming from teammates Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Richard Jefferson. Manu has established himself this season as the Spurs primary offensive option by leading the club in scoring and FT percentage. With the game on the line, Ginobili has been clutch, nailing 2 game winning shots just this past week to help San Antonio retain the league’s best record. Despite some injury concerns last season, Manu has been consistently good this year, scoring in double figures in all but one game, while remaining almost deadly from behind the arc, also connecting on a trey in every game but one. He also has been good defensively, like when he took a charge late in a game last Thursday on Carmelo Anthony to preserve another win. Only 4 teams in history have started better through 25 games than the 22-3 Spurs.
5) Kobe Bryant
LA Lakers
26.1 ppg, 5.2 reb, 4.7 ast, 1.3 stl, .444 FG%, .336 3PT%, .839 FT%
Team Record: 20-7(3rd in West)
While time stands still for no one, neither does Kobe. While everyone continually predicts the “Black Mamba’s” untimely demise into an old age home, Bryant continues to play at a high level, dare I say MVP level. His current offensive numbers are on par with the previous 3 seasons, ranking in the Top 5 in scoring, while helping to lead the 2 time defending champs to one of the best records in the Western Conference. Some will have a good argument for giving big man Pau Gasol(19.9 ppg, 11.3 reb, 2.2 blk)) some love in the MVP voting, but when the game is on the line, the ball will be in Kobe’s hands. Prior to a surprising 9 point stinker against his hometown Sixers Friday night, Kobe had been on a tear, scoring 20 or more points in 19 straight contests, including a 41 point blast from the past against the Pacers. With possibly the Lakers’ most important player Andrew Bynum just getting back into playing shape and making a contribution, Kobe’s job should become easier with three talented 7 footers(Odom, Gasol, and Bynum) providing some imposing front-court firepower.
6) Lebron James
Miami Heat
24.5 ppg, 7.2 ast, 6.5 reb, 1.4 st, .470 FG%, .340 3 PT%, .765 FT%
Team Record: 21-8(2nd in East)
It looks as though the Miami Heat roster is beginning to look like what we thought they should by reeling off 12 straight wins and earning a spot among the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. Although Dwyane Wade(23.6 ppg, 6.5 reb, 4.2 ast) deserves nearly equal credit for the Heat’s resurgence, recently Lebron has found his groove, scoring at a 28 ppg clip during the streak, including 2 double-doubles and 1 triple double(21 pts, 11 reb, 10 ast) vs the Knicks to quiet the booing MSG crowd. Lebron currently ranks in the Top 5 in scoring and has scored in double figures in points in every game this season. Let’s face it, like him or not, James remains as the game’s best all around player and the 2 time MVP keeps climbing the rankings towards yet another award.
7) Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic
21.7 ppg, 12.5 reb, 2.3 blk, 1.1 stl, .571 FG%
Team Record: 16-10(4th in East)
For a team with NBA Championship aspirations, sitting with a mediocre 16-10 record, team management decided to give Mr. Howard a better supporting cast by trading for Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, and Hedo Turkoglu. Surely Howard welcomes the help as he has been almost single-handedly leading the Magic to their current 4th seed in the East. Sure, Dwight’s scoring average(21.7 ppg) is at a career high but his rebounding and FG% are slightly down as he has had to seemingly will his squad to victory for most of the season. Howard ranks among the Top 5 in rebounding, FG%, blocks, and is 4th in double-doubles with 18 in 24 games. He also has notched 6 games where he has accumulated 20+ points and 15 or more rebounds in the same game. As Orlando’s new acquisitions begin to gel, watch for Howard’s numbers and his ranking in the MVP race to climb.
8 ) Rajon Rondo
Boston Celtics
11.2 ppg, 13.8 ast, 4.6 reb, 2.4 ast, .529 FG%, .313 3 PT%
Team Record: 21-4(1st in East)
Prior to injuring his ankle on December 15th against the NY Knicks, raging Rondo had been on a tear, notching 10 or more assists in 15 of his previous 17 games. Although Paul Pierce(18.5 ppg, 5 reb, 3 ast) is having yet another fantastic season, Rondo has now become the Celtics most important and arguably most valuable player. On a team with so many talented players like Pierce, Garnett, Allen, and Shaq, Rondo has learned rather quickly how to provide the surging Celtics with whatever is needed on any given night. Whether it’s scoring(14 games in double figures), providing that timely assist(24 dimes on Oct 29th), or being an outright pest on defense(2nd in NBA in steals), Rondo is the lynch-pin on a Celtics team with annual Championship aspirations.
9) Deron Williams
Utah Jazz
22.5 ppg, 9.7 ast, 3.9 reb, 1.3 stl, .474 FG%, .354 3 PT%, .848 FT%
Team Record: 19-9(5th in West)
If you didn’t already know, Deron is one of the game’s best point guards and bonafide future superstars, if not already ranking among the elite players in the Association. Each season of his career he has steadily increased his offensive numbers to an All Star level. He is Utah’s unquestioned leader and has single-handedly led the Jazz to a number of early season victories to keep Utah among the Top 5 teams in the Western Conference. After an early season climb atop the standings, Utah(6-4) has come back to Earth, playing just over .500 basketball over the past 10 games. But none of that can be blamed on Williams, who has averaged 26 ppg and 10 ast over that span, including notching 5 double-doubles and a 16 assist effort against the Pacers on December 1st. Getting back the sharp-shooting big man Mehmet Okur could give Williams and the Jazz an edge over Oklahoma City in the race for the Northwest crown.
10) Chris Paul
NO Hornets
16 ppg, 9.9 ast, 4.5 reb, 2.9 stl, .486 FG%, .464 3PT%, .912 FT%
Team Record: 16-10(6th in West)
After suffering through injuries last season, Chris has regained his All World form as the game’s best point guard. Although the Hornets have stumbled as of late, losing 6 of the past 10 contests, Paul has spear-headed Nola’s journey back to respectability, especially in leading the Hornets to an 11-1 start. Chris currently ranks 1st in steals, 3rd in assists, and 9th in 3 point shooting and will surely be playing once again in the All star Game this February. The Hornets have an easier stretch of games upcoming against Detroit, Indiana, and Minnesota before playing against some of the league’s best teams in the LA Lakers and Boston after Christmas. Look for Paul to dominate against those weaker teams as he attempts to keep the Hornets afloat in a tough Western Conference.
Next 3:
Kevin Durant, OKC Thunder – 27.4 ppg, 6.7 reb, 3 ast, 1.1 blk, 1 stl, .902 FT%
Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets – 24 ppg, 8.3 reb, 3.3 ast, 1 stl, .442 FG%
Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks – 16.7 ppg, 9.7 reb, 1 blk, .574 FG%, .826 FT%
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
