MVP WATCH - Week 9

	TEAM	WHY	WHY NOT	STATS
Lebron James PER 29.81 MVP	-	He's the King? He is the best player in the league every year. He's still the best player on the planet and everyone knows it. On the season he's 13th in scoring, 20th in assists, and he's 2nd amount PGs, SGs, and SFs in rebounding. That's insane! He's the closest thing we have to a triple-double guy in the NLL.	He's not scoring as much as he can, and his team has had some questionable losses this year. Is he in auto-pilot mode right now?	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Carmelo Anthony PER 18.71 MVP	-	The Wizards have surprised everyone and are in the playoff race this season. Melo is always a good scorer, but this season he's rebounding well too at almost 7 a game. He's even playing out of his natural small forward position while Nene is injured. He's getting up there in age, but he's still awesome.	He's not quite as efficient as some of the other candidates. I hate to say it, but 45% from the field might not cut it this season. Also, if the Wizards drop out of the playoff race, he's done.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Kevin Durant PER 33.91 MVP	-	Boston made a big shakeup and is trying to get back to last seasons form. KD is helping his team in every way possible by being a top scorer, rebounder, and blocking shots. He is probably the best pure scorer in the league right now, and with is improved defense, he is on everyone's list.	If you have to trade half your team in the middle of the season, it's somewhat of an indictment on your best player. I know he's good, but can't you make the guys around you better?	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Russell Westbrook PER 29.58 MVP	-	He's the engine that makes the Bucks run. He's great at everything and one of the best point guards in the league. On a team full of stars, he shines the brightest. Just like KAT, his numbers would be better on a worse team. You gotta respect him for what he's doing with 2 other all-NLL players on his team.	Much like Melo, shooting 44% from the field just isn't going to get it done this season. He's #7 in turnovers, which isn't great. He also shoots the most 3's in the league for a guy only shooting 34%, that isn't great either.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Stephen Curry PER 40.47 MVP	-	Curry is finally an MVP candidate in the NLL. The Bulls are relevant again, and he's tearing it up with a sub-par cast around him. Who else is doing more with less than Curry?	For one of the best passers in the league, he's not in the top 5 in assists. Maybe he could get his teammates more involved? I'm stretching here, but I've been impressed thus far.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
DeMarcus Cousins PER 18.23 MVP	-	The Nets are finally relevant, and this guy is the reason why. He's the best center in the league, and if the Nets make a push for a higher seed in the playoffs, he is a no brainer to me.	If the Nets fail to make a strong push to the playoffs, and end as an 8 seed, or fall out of the playoff race, he shouldn't be the MVP, other than that, he's the best candidate out of the East.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Paul George PER 31.67 MVP	-	He's doing everything he can to keep the Timberwolves relevant for the first time in a bit out West. He's had a ton of last second shots to win games for the Wolves so far. Shooting over 50% as a SF is really impressive too.	As George goes, so do the Timberwolves. When he doesn't look efficient, they lose. If the Wolves drop out of the top 4 out West he shouldn't even be considered.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Kyrie Irving PER 33.90 MVP	-	The Knicks look formidable this year, and Kyrie is a big reason why. He's upped his scoring average by about 7 pts a game this year, making the Knicks have the best backcourt in the league. He's even managing to put up 20 shots a game with James Harden on his team, that's the most impressive thing to me!	He's the 2nd best backcourt guy on his team. If you aren't the go-to guy on your own team, you can't be the MVP.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Anthony Davis PER 28.28 MVP	-	His team has the best record in the league, and he's the best player on it. This is the reason he is the frontrunner for MVP. The entire offense runs through him, he shoots 3's, he plays great defense. There isn't much to dislike at all about this guy right now. He just needs to remain healthy for them to continue clicking.	His team went 3-1 without him, with Joel Embiid leading the way. Are you really the MVP if your team can be this good without you? Maybe it's just a collection of players that is good and not the individual.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Karl-Anthony Towns PER 25.97 MVP	-	On one of the best teams in the league, he is a big contributor. He's averaging over 20 points as a sophmore on a team that includes Russel Westbrook and the Greek Freak. Can you imagine what he would put up if the ball was in his hands more?	He's probably not even the best player on his own team, let alone the league. Sadly, the collection of stars in Wisconsin is hurting his case.	PTS REB AST STL BLK