2016-17 Running NBA Thread

Don't take this the wrong way, it's not geared toward you, Michael ...

... but I fucking goddamn hate this line of thinking. In some other year ... is facacta fucking bullshit.

I *love* what Westbrook did this season. First time in my lifetime someone has averaged a triple double. LOVE his game. Love everything about what he has become. He's the best player on the planet.

But Jesus Christ, man, Kawhi Leonard is the best player on the planet too.

And no, LTL, it will be far from unanimous. If it's close to unanimous than voters aren't doing their jobs.

 

You said "best player on the planet" about two guys.

 

And to think I left out LeBron and Curry. That 4-headed monster is one helluva best player.

 

I appreciate your passionate advocacy and don't take any criticism personally at all. But you're just wrong. Westbrook is gonna be MVP. If it's not unanimous, it will be because Harden gets some votes. Leonard might beat out LeBron for third, but he might not, too. Being the third-most valuable player in the NBA is an astonishing accomplishment. It means you are gonna be a Hall of Famer. It's not losing.
Here's a story for you from another sport. In the late 1990s, Mo Vaughn didn't make the All-Star team one summer and he and the Sox were pissed. As luck would have it, Hank Aaron visited Fenway during the controversy and had a few words on the subject. He reminded us he had one MVP in his career and asked us to look up his stats from 1963. He led the league in hits, doubles, RBI, had more than 40 homers. stole 20 bases and hit like .320. Wasn't MVP. Some bum named Koufax beat him out.

 

It will be far from unanimous and I'd bet you he won't win. I'd vote for him, but my money's on Harden.

 

And LeBron is still the best player in the game.

 

True, but nobody wins every year. I will also put up a six-pack Westbrook wins, collectible if we ever see each other.

 

It seems like you could build a good narrative for 3-4 guys, coulda been five if Durant isn't hurt.

MVP voting has been trending toward consensus in recent years, I'm guessing this breaks that, as the wins thing and maybe Westbrook's defense probably cost him a little. I'm sure some observers will ding him for the way the team tries to funnel him rebounds (there's good reason, but they still do it). He's also in a good spot because he has reason to rip off big games down the stretch, maybe push for a 5 seed.

 

I hope you're right but I'd bet Harden.

Let's do Scotch instead.

 

OK by me.

 

Wait ...so you're suggesting defense would work against Westbrook in an MVP vote where his closest competitor is friggin JAMES HARDEN?

Seriously?

 

I enjoy how MVP/Heisman discussions take up 11 months of the year and then once the actual MVP/Heisman is named, no one gives a shit and starts ramping up the rhetoric for next year's award.

It's like an Award-Industrial Complex.