This year's NBA MVP race is muddled among a slew of contenders. While this normally means nobody is running away with the award, in 2015 it means voters are simply faced with impossibly choosing between a number of strong candidates.
Here, Sports World News will make a case for each contender and give them a status of Strong, Fair, Weak regarding their chance to actually win the award.
Stephen Curry, PG Golden State Warriors
Curry is the best player on one of the finest regular season teams in NBA history. He spearheads a group that smashes opponents by 10.2 points on average-about four more points than the next-best team. He's one of the best shooters of all-time. He's 44 percent from 3-point range and jacking up more than eight per game. He's improved defensively too, despite an unfair rep as a player that needs to be hidden within a scheme.
Curry isn't as good a defender as his backcourt mate Klay Thompson, but he holds his own and makes smart gambles to generate steals and fast breaks. The Warriors are the top-rated team in the league both offensively and defensively, and his career-best two steals a game are a big part of that. Curry has to be the favorite in this race, so obviously his chances are strong.
James Harden, SG Houston Rockets
Harden was just passed by Russell Westbrook as the NBA's leading scorer, but he's been the man on top of that category for most of the year. Harden also gets his points in a much more sabermetrically-friendly fashion-by shooting almost exclusively 3-pointers and free throws. Harden's third in the NBA in 3-point attempts (542) and first in free throw attempts (800). 800 is a ton, and it's by design.
Rockets GM Daryl Morey is basketball's Billy Beane. He's a stat "nerd" who may be ridiculed by some, but the results are difficult to argue with. He identified Harden as a star when he was a sixth man for the Thunder, and Harden's embraced the statistical revolution. 37 percent of his field goal attempts are 3-pointers, and almost half of those 542 3-point attempts have been from the corner.
Dwight Howard has missed a ton of the season with injuries, and there are no creators on this team. Harden does everything, and they're in the mix for a No. 2 seed. His chances are strong.
Russell Westbrook, PG Oklahoma City Thunder
Westbrook has rampaged through the league this year. Thanks to injury he's been given the keys to Oklahoma City's offense, and he's responded by putting the pedal to the metal. Westbrook's 11 triple-doubles lead the league by miles, and just last night he scored a career-high 54 points. For a player with a reputation as a ball-stopping shot hog, 42.3 percent from the field and 27.9 points per game isn't that bad.
Westbrook's case falls apart though when Oklahoma City's success down the stretch is reviewed. The team is losing despite Westbrook's heroic performances, and his defense is worsening because of the pressure to do it all. He's gambling like a maniac, and when his man goes by him new center Enes Kanter is a complete turnstile. The Thunder may miss the playoffs, and while his offensive season has been truly legendary, that may get held against him. They may still sneak in though, so his chances are fair.
Chris Paul, PG Los Angeles Clippers
Paul has had to hold his team together through significant injuries just like Westbrook has, and Superman-esque drives to the basket aside, he hasn't been significantly less dominant. Paul is averaging a double-double this year (19 points, 10 assists) and leads the NBA in offensive win shares. Paul makes 48 percent of his shots and connects at a 39 percent clip from downtown.
Paul has been worth five more win shares than Westbrook has, but because he has been surrounded by better talent this year, and isn't capable of the highlight-reel dunks Westbrook pulls off he can be overlooked. Basically, Paul may actually be the NBA's most efficient player, but that rarely wins MVPs. His chances are fair.
LeBron James, F Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron hasn't come up in this discussion much this season, but as the best player in the world the talk can't be had without him. James' field goal percentage is way down from its peak with the Miami Heat, but he's still rock solid. The only time he's had more assists than this year (7.4) was his final season in Cleveland before jumping to the Heat. He's still scoring 25 a night even with decreased efficiency, and in February and March his play has helped elevate them to a 19-7 record where they averaged 105 and 107 points a night, respectively.
His stats aren't what they used to be, but his versatility and basketball IQ keep him in this discussion. This year though, it's safe to assume he won't add a fifth MVP trophy to his resume. His chances are weak.
Anthony Davis, F/C New Orleans Pelicans
Davis has perhaps been the best player in the league this year and its flown under the radar because few gave the Pelicans much of a chance to be in the postseason. They're ahead of Westbrook's Thunder right now though and Davis' 24.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game are shockingly impressive for a player so young.
Davis is the man leading the league with a 30.8 PER. Davis is the game's top shot-blocker, swatting 191 shot attempts this season. If the Pelicans make the playoffs, he's an excellent dark horse contender for the MVP. If they don't, he's got no shot. Chances are fair.
SWN MVP Pick--Stephen Curry
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