This has, undoubtedly, been one of the most intriguing NBA seasons in recent memory. Young, marketable stars have emerged, carrying their franchises on their backs and giving the league a much-needed shot of adrenaline.
We aren’t currently in the “Bird and Magic Era” or the “Jordan Era”. I’d classify this as the “Kobe, Carmelo, Rose, LeBron, Wade, Howard, Griffin, Dirk and Durant era” (sorry if I left anybody out). However, just like how there can only be one “Highlander,” there can only be one NBA MVP.
As I see it, there are three serious contenders: Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard and LeBron James (with Luke Walton running away with Least Valuable Player). They are three very different players who play three different positions, each finding their own way to dominate the game and carry their team. It’s hard to judge and compare these three guys, considering that they are all dissimilar in size as well as the way they affect the game. Nevertheless, a decision must be made, and a compelling argument can be made for each player.
We’ll go in order of height (or rather, in order of which person I’d want to encounter in a street fight the least), thus starting with athletic Adonis Dwight Howard. There isn’t a player like Howard in the league, thus making him nearly impossible to cover every time he steps on the court. He’s a true seven-footer who can run for days, leap buildings and bench press Andrew Bynum. In other words, “Superman” is probably an appropriate nickname.
This has been the gentle giant’s best season as a pro, as he’s averaging 23 points, 14 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. He shot an inconceivable 59 percent from the floor, partially due to the fact that he led the league in dunks, finishing with 13 more than rookie sensation Blake Griffin. He also won the Defensive Player of the Year award, snagging the honor for the third straight season. More than the numbers, though, Dwight Howard is a presence. Opposing teams won’t drive the lane on him, in fear that he’ll bat each shot 20 rows into the seats. He makes other teams change the way they play, and with improved post moves this season Howard is truly a force to be reckoned with.
Lebron James, after keeping a relatively low profile this summer (cough), has helped lift the Miami Heat to new heights as well. King James can do absolutely anything on a basketball court, and that’s evident when one looks at his statistics. He averaged 26.7 points, seven assists and 7.5 rebounds in 2011, and is a legitimate triple-double threat every night.
Many thought that the James-Wade-Bosh trio would yield championships, but also negatively affect each player’s individual statistics. This hasn’t been the case for Lebron James. While Dwayne Wade may be a better pure scorer, the offense runs through Lebron. He is equally adept at attacking the basket, pulling up for a mid range jumper, or finding an open teammate on a back door cut. For that reason, Eric Spoelstra wants the ball in Lebron’s hands (unless the game is on the line).
Finally, we arrive at my personal MVP favorite. Derrick Rose was an above-average point guard heading into the season, and is a show-stopping, cold-blooded finisher now. Seemingly, everything has clicked for the 22-year-old Chicago native. He finished the season averaging 25 points, 7.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game, career highs in each category. This improvement is no coincidence. Rose has proven to be a tireless worker since being drafted no. 1 by the Bulls in 2008, a talented athlete with the drive to keep improving. Rose’s free throw percentage improved from 76 percent in 2010 to 86 percent in 2011 and that, too, is no coincidence.
Before the season, when asked what his personal goals were going into the 2010-11 campaign, Derrick Rose responded, “Why can’t I be MVP?” Well, that’s exactly what he has become. This award is not given to the most dominant player at his position (Howard) or player with the best all-around game (James). It is given to the player who is the most valuable to their team, and that man is Derrick Rose. Without him, Chicago would be battling tooth and nail for a playoff spot. He takes the clutch shots, sets up his teammates and serves as the team’s emotional leader. The talent is there, but so is the drive to succeed as well as the respect he demands from his teammates. Without Rose, the Bulls are ordinary. With him, they are the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.
Obviously, this is only my opinion. In a league as talent-rich as this one, an argument can be made for at least a half dozen players (Shaq not being one of them). Whether Rose wins it or not, he’ll almost certainly be an MVP favorite for the next decade. And with his work ethic, I wouldn’t bet against him.