Stephen Curry took the top spot in our first edition of the 2014-15 NBA MVP Power Rankings, and that doesn't change this week. However, there were a few changes further down the list, as a familiar name has played his way into the top five. Let's just say this player has won a few MVPs in the past.
Stephen Curry is the top MVP candidate as long as the Warriors keep winning
As long as the Warriors pile up the victories, their best player will lead the MVP conversation. But there are a number of players on Stephen Curry’s heels, including someone who’s won a few MVPs in his career.
1. Stephen Curry, Warriors (Last week: 1)
Curry’s week wasn’t all that noteworthy; after going 2-of-12 from three-point range in the last two games, he’s under 40 percent from deep this season. But the point guard is still excelling in other areas and the Warriors have won 13 games in a row, so he keeps his spot on top of the rankings.
2. Anthony Davis, Pelicans (Last week: 2)
Davis is going to be a fascinating case all season. The Pelicans have struggled against top competition this season and currently sit at 10-10. Considering how stacked the Western Conference is, it’ll be tough for New Orleans to grab a playoff spot. Not only that, but what happens if the Pelicans keep on the current pace and finish at or around .500? Should Davis be a top MVP candidate?
I say yes because you see how much Davis means to New Orleans when looking at on/off splits. With Davis on the court, the Pelicans have scored nearly 109 points per 100 possessions and given up over 104 points per 100 possessions, per NBA.com. With Davis on the bench, the Pelicans have scored a shade under 96 points per 100 possessions and given up nearly 111 points per 100 possessions.
That’s a huge difference.
3. James Harden, Rockets (Last week: 4)
Harden continues to get it done ... on both sides of the floor! After scoring 38 points on 17 shots in a win over Minnesota, the guard had just 15 points on 21 shots against Phoenix. However, he also had 12 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals in another big victory without Dwight Howard.
4. Marc Gasol, Grizzlies (Last week: 3)
Gasol was in danger of falling another spot thanks to a couple sub-par efforts, but a masterful 30-point, six-assist, five-rebound performance against the Mavericks only has him dropping one slot. Those 30 points came on just 14 shots, as he went 12-of-13 from the line in an impressive 114-105 victory.
5. LeBron James, Cavaliers (Last week: 6)
James breaks into the top five after sitting outside it last week, and he’s hot on the tails of Gasol and the other frontrunners. Cleveland has found its stride with eight consecutive victories, and the four-time MVP was huge in a thrilling comeback victory over Toronto. James finished with 35 points and hit the biggest bucket of the game: a clutch three in the final minute.
6. Kyle Lowry, Raptors (Last week: 8)
Lowry is doing all he can to help keep the Raptors afloat with DeMar DeRozan out, and he has been mostly great. In the six games since DeRozan went down, Lowry averaged over 24 points and 10 assists. That includes a career-high 39-point effort in a win over Utah.
Lowry’s efficiency has gone down some, as he shot 41 percent overall and 29 percent from three during the six games. But that’ll happen when so much of the scoring load is placed upon a small point guard, especially after he forced some bad shots late in the loss to Cleveland on Tuesday. Still, the overall numbers without DeRozan are a testament to Lowry’s excellence.
7. Chris Paul, Clippers (Last week: 5)
Paul doesn't get docked as much for his own play as much as because teammate Blake Griffin is playing much better of late. Paul has posted three straight double-doubles and has five double-doubles during the Clippers' eight-game winning streak.
8. LaMarcus Aldridge (Last week: 12)
Aldridge was ranked behind Damian Lillard last week, but that changes this time around. Not only did Aldridge put up 39 points in a tight victory over the Nuggets, but he came up big down the stretch in a close one at Madison Square Garden. The big man scored six points in the final three minutes to help secure the victory, and he was named Western Conference Player of the Week.
9. Blake Griffin, Clippers (Last week: unranked)
Like his team, Griffin was up-and-down to start the season. But also like his team, the explosive power forward has been mostly great during an eight-game winning streak.
December has been especially kind to Griffin, as he’s averaging 30 points and eight rebounds while shooting over 59 percent from the field in four games this month. He was especially marvelous in the last game, pouring in 45 points in an overtime victory over Phoenix.
10. John Wall (Last week: 14)
Wall has been paramount to the Wizards’ early-season success, and he was at it again in a thrilling double-overtime victory over Boston. When all looked lost in the second overtime, the point guard scored the final 10 points for Washington to secure the win.
After the game, Wall broke down in tears while dedicating the victory to a six-year-old cancer victim he met in March:
He’s an MVP off the court. Now, he’s creeping into the MVP conversation on the court.
Next 5: Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Damian Lillard, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving.
★★★
See More:
