The MVP award race has always been an interesting development throughout the course of the NBA regular season and this year is no different. Last year, Russell Westbrook came away with the award after averaging a triple double for the first time since Oscar Robertson did it in 1961-1962. Before Westbrook, the MVP winners were Stephen Curry (back-to-back) and Kevin Durant – both play for the Golden State Warriors now. Since the MVP award winner must (in most cases) be on a top team, let’s take a look at the five best candidates to win the MVP award for the upcoming 2017-2018 season, with this fact in mind.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Odds To Win MVP: +500
Should you be surprised that Westbrook tops this list? Last year, Westbrook singlehandedly carried his team into the playoffs, averaging a triple double while hitting a number of clutch shots and posting an absurd Player Efficiency Rating in what the NBA defines as “clutch time”. Since the departure of Durant, Westbrook has thrived in his absence, to say the least. With the addition of Paul George, the Oklahoma City Thunder should only get better this year and if Westbrook can repeat his performance from last year by averaging yet another triple double this season, there’s no reason to believe he shouldn’t win the MVP award again.
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Odds To Win MVP: +500
Durant had arguably his most efficient and best defensive season last year in his first year with the Warriors while leading them to the best record in the NBA for yet another year. However, Durant wasn’t even in the conversation for MVP. After his legendary performance in the playoffs and NBA Finals last season, there should be no doubt as to his greatness. Maybe NBA fans will begin to appreciate Durant more for how impactful and clutch he was with the Warriors last year in the playoffs. Durant is a bonafide superstar – possibly the best player in the league right now, with the slow decline of LeBron James. If the Warriors can put together another season for the ages and if Durant is able to remain healthy for the entire season while posting ever better numbers than last season, the MVP award might just be his to lose.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Odds To Win MVP: +500
When is James not in the conversation for MVP? James is so great that whichever team he decides to join, that team will automatically be an instant contender. While James has been known to coast through the regular season during the past few seasons, no longer feeling the need to prove himself during the regular season and set himself up for a MVP award, this season might be different. With the departure of Kyrie Irving, the Cleveland Cavaliers are basically expected to get a bit worse. However, if James is able to somehow exceed expectations (yet again), he might be well on his way to winning his fifth MVP award, tying the G.O.A.T.
James Harden, Houston Rockets
Odds To Win MVP: +800
After switching to the point guard position last season, Harden would have easily won the MVP had it not been for Westbrook’s historic season. Last year, Harden himself nearly averaged a triple double as well, had it not been for his rebounding, although 8.1 rebounds per game isn’t too shabby. However, with Chris Paul now playing for the Houston Rockets, Harden will likely see a much lighter workload and will not be required to put the team on his back as much as in past years. As a result, this may hurt his chances for the MVP award since Harden will be bound to give something up when a player of Paul’s caliber decides to join forces with you.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Odds To Win MVP: +1000
This is my dark horse pick. On his way to winning the Most Improved Player award last season, Antetokounmpo clearly exhibited flashes of brilliance, with superstar potential. The Milwaukee Bucks are an extremely young team that’s still developing and The Greek Freak is the team’s obvious best player. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in all five major statistical categories last season – only four players in NBA history had previously accomplished this feat. The Bucks almost knocked off the Toronto Raptors in the playoffs last season and if Antetokounmpo is able to post ever gaudier statistics this season and if the Bucks are somehow able to put together a top three finish in the Eastern Conference regular season standings, you can bet that he will be a top name for the MVP award.
The 2017 NBA futures are out. It’s been a wild offseason already, but keep an eye on the betting lines as they move around at Diamond Sportsbook! Get the latest NBA betting lines right here.
