Early Season MVP Candidates

Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.

Although the NBA season is only a month old, it’s never too early to rank some of the NBA’s leading candidates for the league’s MVP award. Surely the league’s last two winners, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant, who are still at the top of their games will make the list, but where do they rank this season? There may be some surprises that you didn’t expect like a few former MVP winners either just making the list or missing all together. Tell us who we missed or should be ranked higher.

1) Dirk Nowitzki - The ‘07 MVP is once again on top of his game. His 27.5 ppg scoring average ranks 7th in the league and is undoubtedly one of the game’s best clutch shooters as evidence of his numerous late game heroics of baskets to either go ahead or win the game. He has led the Mavs to an amazing 10-3 start even though Dallas is stricken with injury woes(Howard and Marion).

2) Steve Nash – The former 2 time MVP winner is having another tremendous season. He has already had 4 games of more than 15 assists and is leading the NBA with a 11.8 average. His stats are eyepopping: 16.9 ppg, 50% from the field, 44% on 3’s, and 93% from the charity stripe. He definitely has been the leading force in the Suns resurgence at 10-3.

3) Kobe Bryant – The “Black Mamba” is again at a top notch level. He is once again leading the league in scoring at 30.2 ppg but is taking more shots and appears to be working to hard to get open as evidence of his 3.3 assists, which is his lowest in years. Even his 3 point shooting is suffering at only 19% this season. Although he has his squad at 9-3, he will need much more help for the Champs to defend their title. Getting back Gasol should ease the scoring load.

4) Carmelo Anthony – Melo warned this off-season that he was going to take it to everyone in the league this season and hasn’t disappointed by scoring at a 29.9 ppg clip. He has been the early season’s most unstoppable offensive weapon. He is hitting 3’s at a respectable 36% and is near .50% from the field. Although the Nuggets have slipped lately(3-4), he still has them among the leaders in the Western Conference(8-4).

5) Dwyane Wade – If this list was made 2 weeks earlier, Wade would have been higher since his Heat have started to come back to Earth by losing 4 of 5 games after a 6-1 start. Wade has been great, averaging 27.6 ppg, with highlight reel dunks and buzzer beaters to boot, but he can be better. You would like to see him make his teammates better, but with Beasley as the only other offensive weapon, I don’t see Wade’s assist numbers going up.

6) Lebron James – The King has been the usual Top 3 players in the league self by putting up numbers like 28.3 ppg, 8.1 assists, and 6.6 rebs, 52% from the field, and 36% from 3 points. With Shaq either disappointing or injured, James has been Cleveland’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd options on offense. He’s at his best when taking the ball to the hoop, but has settled at times for jump-shots. After a slow start, he has the Cavs back to respectability at 9-4.

7) Kevin Durant – Look out for the “Durant-ula” as he is improving on a game by game basis, scoring at a 27.7 ppg clip(5th in NBA). He is out to prove that he and his young OKC squad are among the league’s better teams. Both have done just that behind Durant’s stellar play and the Thunder’s string of impressive wins over many of the league’s top teams(Orlando, SA, Miami). We now know that he is an elite player but he will ultimately be judged by how he makes those around him better.

8 ) Joe Johnson - Many argue that since the Hawks have the league’s best record(11-2) that Johnson should be higher. Although his stats are great(23.6 ppg, 5 reb, and 5 assists), and leads the Hawks in scoring, Josh Smith and Jamal Crawford have equally been key cogs in Atlanta’s success. As long as the Hawks keep winning, his stock will rise.

9) Brandon Jennings - “Young Money” Jennings has been spectacular on both an individual and a team level. We all know about the 55 point explosion, but Jennings has been good all season averaging 24.8 ppg, 6 rebs, 5 assists, while shooting a remarkable 56% on 3’s. More impressive is that he has helped lead the lowly Bucks to a 7-3 record in the early going. He reminds me of an early A.I., but on a winning team.

10) Chris Bosh – Based on shear numbers, Bosh should be one of the favorites since he is 6th in scoring(27 ppg) and 2nd in rebounding(12.2). But his Raptors squad is floundering with a 6-7 record. We all know he is in a contract year and those players always put up big numbers. Since the Raptors made a number of offseason changes to be much improved, Bosh should be leading them to more victories.

Next 5

Chris Paul – Before his injury, Paul would be higher. His numbers are stellar with averages of 23.8 ppg, 9.2 assists, and 2+ steals, which would rank 3rd in the league in both categories. Unfortunately he plays on a sinking ship in New Orleans, amid coaching changes, roster moves, and not too much talent around him.

Brandon Roy – It may be a bit harsh to have Roy so low, but it’s only because of his unlimited potential. He has the Blazers winning(10-5) but his individual stats are below par at 19.9 ppg and 4 assists. It’s early and surely he will be among the top 10 by season’s end.

Kevin Martin – In the season’s first two weeks, not many were better than Martin, who at one point was the league’s leading scorer(30.6 ppg) as the Kings have overachieved with a .500 record. His wrist injury gives him an incomplete.

Gilbert Arenas – Gilbert has been the best player on a disappointing Wizards squad rife with injuries. He has quieted his critics concerning his past injuries by putting numbers like 22.5 pts, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. If the Wiz get healthy and turn their season around, his stock will rise.

Deron Williams – Deron has been the best player on a mediocre Jazz team. His 19.9 ppg is tops on his team while his 9.9 assists is 2nd to only Steve Nash in the NBA. Note to Deron: Forget about dodgeball and pass the ball to Boozer.

Chris Kaman – Don’t laugh, but a Clipper makes my list since Kaman has been arguably one of the top big men in the league so far. His 20.9 ppg and 8.5 rebounds have LA’s other team at 5-9 and desperately trying to hold down the fort until Blake Griffin arrives in 2 weeks.

Notable Exceptions:

Dwight Howard – Many of Howard’s numbers are down from last season(17 ppg and 11 reb) and one could ague that Vince Carter has been the best player on the Magic(10-3) this season. Surely his numbers will go up as the season progresses.

Tim Duncan – The Spurs are struggling(5-6) mainly because of injuries to the big 3. Even Duncan’s numbers are down(17 ppg and 11 reb), as his knees are beginning to creak. When healthy he is still a force down low.