Who are the candidates for MIP?

[Denis998]

My vote goes toward AB, but that just might be my bias talking. Who are the other players around the league that are also making a case for MIP?

[Who]

Giannis

Otto Porter

[Csfan1984]

LaVine

[PhoSita]

Giannis. Capela.

[Moranis]

Westbrook.  Career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.

Harden.  Learning PG position and getting a ton of assists while keeping the scoring and rebounding.

[trickybilly]

Kilpatrick. Jabari.

[Surferdad]

Westbrook.  Career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.

Harden.  Learning PG position and getting a ton of assists while keeping the scoring and rebounding.

I don't think either qualify.   This is not just about "getting better" or learning new skills, it should go to an average or even sub-par player who improves to where they could be considered for the all-star team.  JMO.

[bdm860]

While I think most of these are good answers, personally I'd have to think Giannis is the favorite at this point.

I think the crazy thing about that is, he finished 7th in MIP his 2nd season, 3rd his 3rd season, then if he finished 1st this year, I think that would be a pretty amazing climb.

Granted, I've never really paid close attention to MIP voting before, but  to show that kind of improvement and to get an increasing amount of 1st place votes in 3 straight years, I think that's pretty impressive.

And it's not just increased minutes improving his numbers, but all his advanced and per-36 stats are improving every year as well.  I'm definitely impressed by the consistent growth he's shown.

At this rate, he'll probably be averagin 32/12/10/3/3 next year and become the first player to win back-to-back MIP awards, now that would be something.

[Moranis]

Westbrook.  Career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.

Harden.  Learning PG position and getting a ton of assists while keeping the scoring and rebounding.

I don't think either qualify.   This is not just about "getting better" or learning new skills, it should go to an average or even sub-par player who improves to where they could be considered for the all-star team.  JMO.

fair point but Curry finished 4th last year (with the 2nd most 1st place votes) and he was the reigning MVP (and would go on to be the unanimous MVP).  The voters obviously have no issue giving the award to a great player that showed improvement. 

[PhoSita]

Westbrook.  Career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.

Harden.  Learning PG position and getting a ton of assists while keeping the scoring and rebounding.

Have they really improved, though, or just had a change in their playing situation?

[Moranis]

Westbrook.  Career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.

Harden.  Learning PG position and getting a ton of assists while keeping the scoring and rebounding.

Have they really improved, though, or just had a change in their playing situation?

The award often goes to players who through more minutes take a big stat jump.  That said, did anyone really think Harden could effectively play PG or that Westbrook would be averaging a triple double this far into the season. 

[Surferdad]

Westbrook.  Career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.

Harden.  Learning PG position and getting a ton of assists while keeping the scoring and rebounding.

Have they really improved, though, or just had a change in their playing situation?

The latter mostly.  They may have improved, but just not most improved in the entire league.

[mgent]

Giannis is probably in the lead, but I've been watching George Hill.

Runs the point for a team that's 14-9 in the West, and only has a so-so roster.  Also a lot more efficient than Giannis so far.

[celticsclay]

Giannis is probably in the lead, but I've been watching George Hill.

Runs the point for a team that's 14-9 in the West, and only has a so-so roster.

It looks like the last winners were from people that went from not being stars to being considered stars

CJ Mcollum
Jimmy Butler
Paul George
Goran Dragic (who became viewed as a star in Phoenix but may not be now)
Ryan Anderson
Kevin Love

(earlier than that it seemed like there was a run of average players that simply became good)

I do think GA would seem to be the huge frontrunner for this. While Harden and Westbrook are doing better statistically I do think that most people expected bigger numbers based on a changing role and they are just exceeding the degree of expected bigger numbers. I do think if Houston ends up with the 3rd or 4th best record in the west that may help Harden, but that could also be viewed as being due to huge improvements from Capella and bounce back seasons from Gordon and Anderson.

[ssspence]

James Young. He had that 12 point game!