MVP WATCH - Week 17

	TEAM	WHY	WHY NOT	STATS
Lebron James PER 29.81 MVP	-	The king is making a mid-late season run at another MVP award. Cleveland have been one of the best teams since the all-star break and LeBron is the main reason why. Arguably the greatest NLL player of all time and he proves it season after season. If he's to grab championship number 4 and another MVP award, would there be any argument?	It's hard to see why he shouldn't... On an individual and team success level he fits the criteria. So why isn't he amongst the general conversation more? Because Anthony Davis is having a heck of a season and it's going to be hard to knock him from the top at this stage of the season.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Kevin Durant PER 33.91 MVP	-	Kevin Durant's worth is proved with the fact that no one fears the Celtics right now... As has been the case for the last few seasons, KD is the man in massachusetts and some basketball fanatics are saying hes the biggest star in the state over Tom Brady... Lets take it easy now. The reigning MVP has been stellar and the Celtics are really missing him on the court... But he's due back for the playoffs and i can guarentee that none of the top seeds want to play a fully healthy Celtics in the first round.	The injury hurts his chances. It's not often a guy playing 60 odd games and his team not even finishing in the top half of their conference wins the big award. With health there was a good chance him and AD could goto the wire... But in this writers opinion, it's over.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Russell Westbrook PER 29.58 MVP	-	After a rough start to the season, the one time NLL MVP has put together a really solid season. He's taken somewhat of a step back to KAT but it doesn't mean he hasn't been balling at a MVP like level. Russ is having one of his best all around seasons in his NLL career aswell and the Bucks are a beast of a team.	He's not really the MVP of his team right. Towns is a man child and it seems staff and management have the pit that team in his hands. As good as Westbrook has been, KAT has been better and that is why he sits 8th in the MVP standings.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
James Harden PER 38.02 MVP	-	At number comes the Beard. Now Kyrie ranks above James in the rankings but I still believe this is Hardens team and if they want to realise their potential, it's on him. His scoring numbers are down but his assists are through the roof and he's shooting an impressive 50% from the field. Considering how good the Knicks are I'm a little surprised James isn't higher up on the list to be honest. Either way the Knicks have had a great season and James has been a major reason. His +7.0 is a clear point as to why.	The Knicks haven't beaten the better teams all too often. Harden is great but it appears he hasn't been great enough when it matters most. Add in the fact that he has another MVP candidate in the back court with Kyrie and his value kind of shrinks. Still James is a great player, but I don't foresee him getting many votes in the end.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Stephen Curry PER 40.47 MVP	-	Steph has been great this season. He's almost in rare 50/40/90 territory with a high usage rate cementing himself as the best shooter in the NLL. There's been complaints he hasn't been as good as his NBA self but I beg to differ, check the stats, they don't lie. If the Bulls were a 50+ win team then Steph I believe would have a great shot at the MVP this year, his efficiency from the PG spot is leaps and bounds ahead of his peers.	Team record will hurt any chance Steph has. The acquisition of Dirk was a smart piece of business from gm Daz and it's helped take some burden off Curry. Steph has been great but the east is tough and you'd normally need a minimum of 50 wins if you want this trophy.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Paul George PER 31.67 MVP	-	The T-Wolves seem to be hitting their stride at the right time of the season and it's no surprise to see PG13 at the forefront of the form rise. Had a surprising inefficient week 17 but his overall body of work is impressive. The Wolves are top 4 in the west and it's George leading them, he will be in the conversation.	He was shopped around the league at deadline and reports are rife that he has been checking out on defense and complaining and sooking about no calls. Is that really signs of an MVP? Rumours are high he's angling for a move back home to Los Angeles too...	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Kyrie Irving PER 33.90 MVP	-	Is this Kyrie's or James's team? Either way both ball. Kyrie is having a great year and the Knicks are one of the best in the east. As one half of the best back court in the east, Kyrie scores, creates, rebounds(4.2rpg for a PG is solid) and shoots at a 46/40/88 clip. There's not much more the man could do.	Is he even the best player on his team? It's such a tough call. Like Paul George he had a very inefficient week 17 aswell. Kyrie had been great but it's going to be hard for him to poll many votes in such a deep squad and being arguably the 2nd best player on his team.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Anthony Davis PER 28.28 MVP	-	Since his front court running mate Joel Embiid went down, AD has been beasting it. His numbers last week are pretty much what he's been doing when he's holding the front court by himself. Lets just close this case.... Ladies and Gentleman, your 2016-17 MVP... Anthony Davis!	Just stop... If there is any doubt now, you should probably stop drinking the haterade.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Harrison Barnes PER 16.01 MVP	-	What a season it's been for the Warriors and this young man. A team that has been a laughing stock for years got new management and are now staring at a playoff appearance. GM Mailo brought in Barnes and put the ball in his hands and it's worked great. Barnes has made the leap from role player to star player and had embraced it perfectly. His numbers are solid and he's at a very efficient level too.	Barnes has been fantastic but his team is only just hanging on for a playoff spot. You won't normally see a player awarded MVP if his team isn't winning at least 50 games and sitting in the upper echelon of their respective conference.	PTS REB AST STL BLK
Karl-Anthony Towns PER 25.97 MVP	-	Big KAT is ridiculous. How old is this kid again? He's already cemented himself as an MVP in this league and he's arguably his team's best player.... On a team that has Russell Westbrook and the Greek freak! Wow. His numbers aren't AD level but his efficiency and impact is unquestioned. Karl could own this league in 2 years time, it's scary and a big call but he's that damn good.	His numbers just aren't quite there and he's competing up against the best big in the league and 3 of the best wings. I don't see him getting a lot of MVP love now, but in 2-3 years time, he could be the youngest to ever win it. Not yet KAT, but your time will come.	PTS REB AST STL BLK