NBA MVP discussion is an annual ritual among fans and media. LeBron James is the leading candidate, with Kevin Durant getting a lot of love as well. But one name rising fast in many minds is Tony Parker, the San Antonio Spurs point guard who for years has flown under the radar behind guys like Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Derrick Rose and even Russell Westbrook.
Net Cords: Tony Parker For MVP
Parker undoubtedly stepped up his game this season and led the Spurs to the top seed in the West. Our guys at Pounding the Rock make his MVP case.
Tony Parker IS the NBA MVP - Pounding The Rock
In 47 wins, Tony averaged 19.1 ppg, 7.9 apg, while shooting 50% from the field and 83% from the line. In 13 losses, Tony averaged 15.2 ppg, 6.9 apg, while shooting 40.8% from the field and 70% from the line. This makes sense. If the MVP doesn’t play well, the team loses.
Now, in 45 wins, Lebron averaged 27.1 ppg, 6.4 apg while shooting 54.7% from the field and 78.5% from the line. In 17 losses, he averaged 27.2 ppg, 5.8 apg while shooting 49.6% from the field and 73% from the line. Those numbers are statistically equivalent, and he actually scored more in losses than in wins. In arguing which player is most valuable to his team, the fact that the Spurs lost when Tony played poorly and Lebron’s play was constant between wins and losses has to increase Parker’s MVP candidacy while decreasing Lebron’s.
Most Valuable Player? Tony Parker is up there, way up there.
’Net Cords’ features the great work being done by the SB Nation network of NBA team sites.
See More:
