NBA Most Valuable Player (2012 SCIC Year-End Awards)
By Chris Walder
With the NBA regular season nearing its conclusion, we here at “Sir Charles in Charge” have decided the time is right to start handing out some end-of-year hardware to those around the league who have stood out amongst the pack and performed at the highest level in the National Basketball Association this year.
Over the next few days, we will be giving you our selections for all of the major NBA awards (Most Improved, Coach, Defensive Player, 6th Man, Rookie, Most Valuable Player). I as Editor of “Sir Charles in Charge” have received nominations and votes from fellow staff writers as well as loyal readers of the site for all of the awards.
The results are in. For the final day of our SCIC awards, we give you our selection for the NBA Most Valuable Player.
2nd runner-up: Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul
2011-12 statistics: 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 2.5 steals, 0.1 blocks
CP3 has been a godsend to the Clippers organization. In just one season, he’s changed the entire culture of the franchise.
Before Paul’s arrival, the Clippers had just 2 seasons of winning basketball in their 34 year history. Now with Chris at the helm, Los Angeles will more than likely have home-court in the first round of the playoffs and a possible Pacific Division crown to add to the mantle.
CP3 leads the league in steals (2.5) and ranks third overall in assists (9.1). He makes every player on the Clippers that much more effective just by him being there.
L.A holds regular season victories this year over the Lakers, Heat and Thunder (3 times). They are a legitimate threat in the Western Conference this postseason.
If you want to see the true importance of Chris Paul, just take a look at how far the New Orleans Hornets have fallen off just because of his departure.
Is Paul the best point guard in the NBA? Can you really argue against that notion?
1st runner-up: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant
2011-12 statistics: 27.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.2 blocks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teE0nNgIorI
This one hurts me a lot. I had high hopes for Kevin Durant in the MVP race. While Durant had himself a spectacular year, he just didn’t have enough in the tank to overtake our eventual winner.
I wouldn’t be opposed to any readers out there who believed Durant was the Most Valuable Player in the NBA this season though.
KD is tied for the league lead in scoring with Kobe Bryant at 27.9 points a game. He’s having the best statistical season of his young career. He’s averaging career-highs in rebounds (8.0), assists (3.5), blocks (1.5) and field goal percentage (49.7%).
The Thunder may be ending the season with little momentum going into the playoffs, but that shouldn’t tarnish the great things Durant has done for this basketball team all year. Oklahoma City is currently locked in with the 2nd seed in the West and has secured the Northwest division title to boot.
Kevin is the best pure scorer in the league and will be involved in MVP talks for years to come. I suppose losing out on the award won’t matter as much if OKC emerge with the NBA Championship this summer.
and the winner of the first ever SCIC award for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player is…..
Miami Heat forward Lebron James
2011-12 statistics: 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.8 blocks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ2Gn7WsrEo&feature=player_embedded#!
“He [LeBron] deserves all the love [for MVP]. He’s playing phenomenal basketball.” – Kevin Durant
It’s time for the King to go back on his throne.
Lebron James will walk away with his third MVP award this season and rightfully so. Kevin Durant made it interesting, but if you look at the big picture of what both players have done in 2012, Lebron James should be the one taking home the hardware.
James is the best player in basketball and he proved it this season. He took a Miami Heat team that missed star Dwayne Wade for 14 games and went 13-1 without his services.
His player efficiency rating was through the roof in 2012(29.9).
Lebron is shooting the best percentage from the field of his entire career (53.1). He also ranks just behind Durant and Bryant in scoring at 27.1 points per game.
He’s more of a facilitator than a playmaker. With his overall basketball repertoire, James has been able to win games for the Heat by not just scoring the basketball, but by playing solid defense, rebounding and getting the ball to his teammates.
I’ll always hate the man for the way in which he left Cleveland, but there is no denying his talent on a basketball court. He is your 2012 SCIC NBA MVP.
Honorable Mentions: Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Spurs guard Tony Parker
WRITER NOMINATIONS
Joe Nardone picks 5) Chris Paul 4) Kobe Bryant 3) Kevin Love 2) Kevin Durant 1) Lebron James
John Armstrong picks 5) Kevin Love 4) Chris Paul 3) Kobe Bryant 2) Lebron James 1) Kevin Durant
Chris Walder picks 5) Kobe Bryant 4) Kevin Love 3) Kevin Durant 2) Chris Paul 1) Lebron James
Reader picks 5) Kevin Love 4) Kobe Bryant 3) Chris Paul 2) Kevin Durant 1) Lebron James
2012 SCIC AWARDS RECAP’
NBA Most Improved Player: Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum
NBA Coach of the Year: Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau
NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard
NBA 6th Man of the Year: Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden
NBA Rookie of the Year: Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving
NBA Most Valuable Player: Miami Heat forward Lebron James
Christopher Walder is a sports blogger and lead editor for Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter @WalderSports