Runnin - n - Gunnin

2011-2012 Bold Statements: League MVP - Chris Paul

I am buying into “Lob City” and yes, I do believe that Chris Paul will win the MVP award this season.  First, he’s still one of the top 2 scoring options for the Clippers.  If he doesn’t get monster scoring numbers in a game, his assist rate just skyrockets.  Don’t forget that he consistently is in the top 5 in steals every season.

Chris Paul is the type of point guard that makes everyone else on his team better.  It will be because of him that Blake Griffin’s numbers will rise.  It will be because of him that DeAndre Jordan will be in talks for Most Improved Player.  It’s because of him that Caron Butler could maintain a 3 point percentage around 40% this year.  He even knows how to move off the ball and spot up when Chauncey brings the ball down the court.

This is arguably the best talent that Chris Paul has ever been surrounded with, so expect not only for CP3’s numbers to rise, but the Clippers to rise up in the West.  Should be an exciting year in LA.

Runner-Ups:

Kevin Durant - If it wasn’t for that huge CP3 trade, this would be Kevin Durant’s year.  I have the Thunder slated to reach the NBA Finals and eventually win the Championship, and it will be mostly because of this guy.  He’ll be the scoring champ for his 3rd straight year, and I expect his other stats to go up a little as well.  I may very well be wrong and KD will most likely get MVP because the Thunder will by far have a better record, but I believe in the Clippers hype.

Dwight Howard - I had a tough time deciding between Dwight and Lebron.  Yes, Lebron will have better overall stats, but Dwight will do more for the Magic (and eventually whichever team he may get traded to) to keep them in the Playoffs than Lebron will for Miami.  

Dark Horse Candidate: Kobe Bryant

What? Kobe Bryant a Dark Horse?  I don’t believe it’s too farfetched.  There is too much going against the Lakers this year.  They lost Lamar Odom.  They have a new system with Mike Brown.  Pau Gasol looks like he may have a down year because of this new system.  Their bench looks worse than last year.  In spite of all this, though, the Lakers will have a great record and it will be all because of one man: the Black Mamba.