NBA

2014-15 NBA Midseason Awards Report: Top 10 Leaders for Most Valuable Player

Fresh Videos

By @NickCWilder

Top 10 Leaders for Most Valuable Player

2014-15 NBA Most Valuable Player
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

With perennial MVP contenders LeBron James and Kevin Durant enduring injury-riddled seasons thus far, the race for Most Valuable Player is wide open. Halfway through the year, several players have proven that they are capable of taking home the award. On these rankings, winning is taken into account above all else, followed by personal statistics and intangibles.

10. Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors NBA
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

10. Kyle Lowry

Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors NBA
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

With fellow backcourt mate DeMar Derozan missing 21 games due to injury and head coach Dwayne Casey experimenting with different starting lineups, Lowry has single-handedly kept Toronto afloat. He’s undergone a recent slump, but overall he’s averaging 19.6 PPG, 7.4 APG, 4.9 RPG and has a PER of 22.03 for the third-place Raptors.

9. Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

9. Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most electric players in the game, Lillard has been incredible so far for the third-place Blazers. He’s averaging 22 PPG, 6.2 APG, 4.7 RPG and has a PER of 22.12 (all career highs). Lillard’s been clutch for Portland in the closing moments of games and is likely to be named an All-Star reserve in the loaded Western Conference.

8. Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol Memphis Grizzlies NBA
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

8. Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol Memphis Grizzlies NBA
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Gasol’s statistics don’t jump off the page, as he’s averaging 18.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 3.8 APG. However, he does so much for the Grizzlies on both ends of the court that statistics don’t necessarily take into account. He’s the backbone of Memphis’ defense, which is third in the NBA in points allowed per game. Gasol can do just about everything on the floor and is the leader of the second-place Grizzlies.

7. John Wall

John Wall Washington Wizards NBA
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

7. John Wall

John Wall Washington Wizards NBA
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Wall continues to improve his all around game and leads the NBA in assists per game (10.2). The Wizards regularly rely on Wall to produce offense and keep the team in check. When Wall is on the court Washington has a plus/minus of 7.1, but when he’s off the court it falls to -10.3, according to NBA.com/stats.

6. LeBron James

LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers NBA
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

6. LeBron James

LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers NBA
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Since James returned from injury on Jan. 13, the Cavaliers have won eight out of nine games and he’s starting to look like his MVP-self. During that recent stretch, he’s shooting 50 percent from the field, while averaging 30.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 6.4 APG and 2.0 SPG. If Cleveland continues this run, James will move up the MVP rankings quickly.

5. Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans NBA
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

5. Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans NBA
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Davis currently boasts a PER of 31.91, which would be the highest mark in the history of the NBA. He’s been an absolute beast for New Orleans, as he leads the NBA in blocks per game and is one of three players in the league who average at least 20 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. He might not win it this year, but the 21-year-old will certainly win at least one during his career.

4. LaMarcus Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

4. LaMarcus Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Aldridge is also one of three players to average at least 20 points per game and 10 rebounds per game. His MVP chances received a major boost after the power forward decided to delay surgery on his thumb last weekend and play through the pain. The decision showed leadership and dedication to his team that an MVP candidate must possess.

3. Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague Atlanta Hawks NBA
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague Atlanta Hawks NBA
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest surprise on these rankings is likely Atlanta’s point guard. He’s led the first-place Hawks to an amazing 37-8 record thus far and they are currently on a 16-game winning streak. Teague is fourth among point guards in PER (22.56) and averages a solid 17.1 PPG and 7.5 APG. Like the Spurs, one player doesn’t dominate statistically on the Hawks, but Teague’s been their engine.

2. James Harden

James Harden Houston Rockets NBA
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. James Harden

James Harden Houston Rockets NBA
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Houston’s shooting guard has improved his much-maligned defense enough to be ranked second on this list, especially when you consider the monstrous season he’s having offensively. He’s averaging 27.6 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.6 RPG, 2.0 SPG for the fifth-place Rockets and leads the league in free throws attempted per game. Harden also leads the NBA in scoring and is third in PER (27.99).

1. Steph Curry

Steph Curry Golden State Warriors NBA
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

1. Steph Curry

Steph Curry Golden State Warriors NBA
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The current MVP leader midway through the season is without a doubt Curry. The superstar has led the Warriors to the NBA’s best record (36-7) in the deep Western Conference. He’s a human highlight reel and averages 22.8 PPG, 8.2 APG, 4.7 RPG and 2.1 SPG. The point guard leads the NBA in plus/minus and makes his team better in a variety of ways, most notably with his deadly shooting ability.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on