NBA MVP race heats up

NBA+MVP+race+heats+up

The 2014-2015 NBA season has seen the world’s most talented basketball players competing to hoist one of the most prestigious trophies in all of professional sports: the NBA MVP trophy.

This year’s candidates are Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, James Harden of the Houston Rockets, and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Westbrook, who, in the absence of All-Star Kevin Durant, has been on a tear as of late, has earned six triple-doubles in nine games, and eclipsed Harden as the league’s scoring leader. Westbrook averages 27.6 points per game and 8.2 assists to go along with 43% field goal shooting and 2.2 steals.

Curry, the second point guard in the running, has led his Warriors to the best record in the NBA aided by his 23.4 points and 7.9 assists coupled with a 42% three-point percentage. Widely considered the best shooter in the league, Curry and teammate Klay Thompson have been obliterating defenses all year long.

Harden and his Rockets have been on a hot streak, and his high scoring is the primary reason. His 26.7 points per game is a career high and, for the majority of the season, his averages were closer to 27. Harden also averages seven assists per game on the year.

The final candidate is LeBron James, who probably won’t win just because he got off to a late start this season. But, if you look at his averages since he got back from his injury, his incredible stats put him in the top three for scoring and in the top ten for assists. James also surpassed Scottie Pippen as the all-time leader in assists for a forward in NBA history. His milestone was followed by the acquisition of the 21st all-time scoring mark. If he continues at his current pace, James will be a top 20 all-time scorer by the end of the season. Though he may not win the award this year, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player is still the best in the world.

So, this year, it’s all a matter of opinion as to who wins the MVP award, but you can bet that each candidate will look to make a splash as the end of the year approaches.