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NBA Roundtable: Playoff And MVP Race Update

Michael Corvo, Danny Galvin, Sareen Tavidian |
January 31, 2014 | 12:45 p.m. PST

Sports Staff

This might be Kevin Durant's year for his MVP candidacy. (OKCThunder/Twitter)
This might be Kevin Durant's year for his MVP candidacy. (OKCThunder/Twitter)
The All-Star rosters are out, but we're focused on the midseason MVP Races and playoff race that kicks up after the ASG break. 

The season is over halfway over, but injuries and slow starts have clouded our playoff views. Which teams currently not in playoff position do you think will end up in the postseason?

Michael Corvo: The Memphis Grizzlies. Currently sitting in the ninth spot, they’re 11-3 in January, and 7-1 since Marc Gasol came back. Their defense unsurprisingly took a hit without Gasol and Tony Allen (expected back soon), but since Gasol’s return, they’ve given up just 85.8 points per game. This team will improve, and should be able to catch either quirky Dallas or the surprising Suns to grab a playoff spot.

Danny Galvin: Objectively speaking, the Grizzlies are already in the playoffs. Their sabermetric ownership made another great trade in getting Courtney Lee for Jerryd Bayless, bringing in a guard that can shoot. Marc Gasol is back from injury, and the man they call Bloodsport is becoming a bench weapon. 

In the East, both teams played hard

Sareen Tavidian: The Knicks will take the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. Carmelo Anthony's 62 points a week ago has everyone wondering what he'll do next, and shows that the Knicks shouldn't give up despite a depressing season so far. They've won four in a row heading Saturday's game against Miami.

The prediction is more of a challenge in the West, as the conference has turned a complete 180 degrees as the season progresses, and not in a good way. A good guess would be the Memphis Grizzlies, as Marc Gasol is keeping them afloat after returning from injury on January 14. 

Kevin Durant is averaging 36.6 points per game in January, Carmelo Anthony had a Madison Square Garden-record 62 points last Thursday, while LeBron James has the Heat looking at a title once again. As of right now, what's your take on the MVP race?

Corvo: 

1)   Kevin Durant: Averaging basically 31/5/8, while shooting 51 percent, playing above-average defense, all without Westbrook. Enough said.

2)   LeBron James: Despite some lower-than-usual numbers across the board, he’s still playing remarkably efficient, and doing so without steady contributions from Dwyane Wade.

3)   Paul George: Indiana still holds the league’s best record, and George has been perhaps the league’s best two-way player this season.

4)   LaMarcus Aldridge: Portland sits at 33-13, and Aldridge has been near unstoppable, posting 24.3 PPG and 11.6 RPG.

5)   Stephen Curry: The Dubs have fallen off a bit of late, but Curry’s 24.0 PPG/9.7 APG line still sparks a dangerous Western contender.

Galvin: Voter malaise probably hands this one over to Durant, and he probably deserves it. LeBron is by no means coasting, but he isn't at his best either. Zero triple doubles from him by this point is shocking. And Durant's 12 straight games of 30+ points, new "Slip Reaper" moniker, and general attitude to being so dominant are also probably better than LeBron. 

Tavidian: Paul George and LeBron James are equally worthy of the title, despite LeBron's previous titles. George deserves it just as much due to his impeccable skills in every aspect of the game. In addition, getting picked as an All-Star Game starter makes him an even stronger contender. Last but not least, Mr. Kevin Durant. I believe the NBA has run out of reasons not to present him with this title. His versatility is undeniable, his passion towards the game and perseverance is something else, and he's led OKC to the top of the West despite an injury from sidekick Russell Westbrook.



 

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