Three different players have won an NBA MVP award over the past five seasons. Two of them now play for the same team. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant will enter the 2016-17 season as teammates with the Golden State Warriors, which will be the obvious sports betting favorite to win the NBA championship this coming season. However, in joining forces on the west coast they have pretty much guaranteed they won’t be in the MVP discussion now that they will be forced to share the rock. LeBron James could certainly be in the mix but the more likely scenario has him putting it in cruise control for the regular season in order to preserve his body for the playoffs. That leaves the door wide open for somebody new to step up and win the NBA MVP award in 2016-17. Here is a look at some very early predictions for MVP this coming season.
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
After choosing to re-sign with the Thunder, Westbrook has been handed the reigns as the man in Oklahoma City. We got our first glimpse of what life without Durant could look like a couple of years ago when the 2014 MVP was injured and Westbrook went on to win a scoring title with 11 triple-doubles while leading the Thunder to a 23-17 record. With an improved cast around him, Westbrook could be even better in 2016-17 as the unquestioned leader in Oklahoma City. The general feeling is that people are rooting for Westbrook to carry the Thunder back to the postseason as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Regardless of whether that happens, though, he’ll have the numbers to look like an MVP. And if the improvements can provide a soft landing for the Durant loss – say if Victor Oladipo starts to play to his potential – the Thunder could actually be a top four team and then Westbrook would be a shoe-in.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Leonard was last year’s runner-up MVP but he will have another opportunity this season as one of the rising stars in the game. The 25-year-old will be pushed in to the spotlight following Tim Duncan’s retirement and the time is now for him to take control of the offense and make this his team. Leonard’s strong numbers at both ends of the floor will put him back in to the MVP conversation – assuming the Spurs don’t fall too far in the standings. It wouldn’t be a surprise if this was the year when he finally received the recognition he deserves.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
It took pretty much everybody counting the Trail Blazers out as a playoff team for people to actually notice how dominant Lillard can be as he broke out on the scene as one of the game’s best point guards in 2015-16. Lillard’s scoring and assist production increased following LaMarcus Aldridge’s exit and his incredible play was the biggest reason for Portland locking down the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. Lillard has the potential to take another step forward as a 26-year-old this coming season and he could elevate himself in to the MVP conversation. The Blazers have rebuilt quickly and have a fairly good cast around him. If they’re in the top four in the Western Conference next season, he’ll be in the running for league MVP.
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Injuries and ridiculous incidents off the floor kept the Clippers from reaching their potential a year ago. However, they enter this season with one of the most talented teams in the Western Conference feeling that they have a legitimate shot at redemption. Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Redick make up a talented supporting cast but Paul has to be the star point guard that takes his team to another level. We’ve seen him play like an MVP at times – especially when Griffin has been out. The question is can he sustain it.
The Clippers are banking on Paul as their MVP heading in to 2016-17 and he will likely have to put himself in the conversation in order for LA to reach its goals as a franchise this coming season.
