BTA: Race to the MVP Week 2

[Abovelegit]

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Welcome back to yet another exciting Race to the MVP presented to you by Beyond the Arc Basketball. I'd like to talk about the Milwaukee Bucks, and more importantly, the player everyone has their eyes on, Brandon Jennings. The kid is still rolling through the league with a head of steam, leading this underdog Bucks squad to the best record in the Central Division.
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Jennings is leading all rookies with just under 25 points per game to go along with nearly 6 assists per game and 5 rebounds per game. On top of that he's shooting a respectable 47.7% from the field and is connecting on over half of his three point attempts, proving critics wrong who have cited the range on his shot as a weakness. However, questions still linger as to whether or not the Bucks can keep it up and whether or not Jennings can keep playing at a high level. A few issues stand in their way. First of all, will Jennings hit the rookie wall? It's a common fear for first year players who have never played this many games in a season before. Can Jennings’ body handle the rigors of the NBA after playing 40 or 50 games? Only time will tell if Jennings can fight fatigue better than his fellow freshman.​

Look out, the Thunder are playing solid right now, and Kevin Durant is on the verge of getting some MVP consideration. The kid impresses the hell out of me. He's an excellent shooter, but his shot really isn't falling right now....yet he is still dropping in 27 a game, getting to the line, and getting it done. I think he has a great unselfish attitude, can be a good leader, and will only get better. His numbers are already elite, and I believe he is on the edge of becoming a true superstar. You OKC fans have got something special so enjoy it.

I want to dedicate a small portion of my time to a former MVP and a sure Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson. He needs to realize the league is moving away from the one man show offense, this is not a league full of teams relying on one player to do everything. Say what you like, but even LeBron James relies on his teammates to score, hence his high assist averages. Allen has all the talent in the world, but is too accustomed to being the star of the team. I would love to see him end his career on a good note, preferably signing with a title contender to assure him a ring in his career. The future of this once great superstar looks very dark.

Well that does it for my weekly rant, now onto the list.

1. Kobe Bryant, Lakers (10-3)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
12 38.1 30.2 5.2 2.8 3.3 0.2 .474 .192 .861
Last Week's Rank - 1
The recharged Los Angeles Lakers powered by their captain, Kobe Bryant are looking great. With a healthy Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, this offense looks dominant, scoring from all cylinders, but that has not stopped Kobe from playing at a superstar level. He's leading the league in scoring, shooting a respectable percentage from the field, and is makig good decisions on the floor.

2. Joe Johnson, Hawks (10-2)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
12 37.9 23.6 5.3 4.7 0.8 0.1 .464 .345 .870
Last Week's Rank - N/A
The most underrated player in the league will soon be known as a sure MVP candidate if he keeps playing like this. What hasn't he done? He's scoring at will, shooting at an extremely efficient percent from the field, making plays for his teammates, and is playing like a true leader. The Hawks are slowly sliding into the Eastern Conferences' Elite.

3. Steve Nash, Suns (10-3)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
13 33.3 16.8 2.6 11.8 0.2 0.2 .506 .440 .929
Last Week's Rank - 2
Nash remains as the best Point Guard in the game currently due to Chris Paul's injury. His impressive numbers still remain afloat, the Suns are still amongst the best teams in the league, and Nash is surely a huge part of it. He's playing at such a high level, just a few days ago against Houston he exploded for 16 assists, keeping his assist averages at the top of the league.

4. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks (9-3)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
12 38.5 27.3 9.3 2.6 1.1 1.6 .447 .364 .902
Last Week's Rank - N/A
This past week proves why Dirk has not lost a step in his game since winning the MVP title a few years ago. He's willing to give up shots and save a bit of energy for important stretches of games. Nowitzki is playing the best basketball of his life right now, this past week he was incredible, but because of intangibles not because of his box-scores. His effort on defense has drastically improved, almost to the point where he is not considered a one sided player.

5. Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets (8-3)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
11 35.6 29.9 5.8 3.0 1.6 0.4 .468 .360 .847
Last Week's Rank - 6
Melo has been a beast so far to start the season off with. Sure his season opening dunk over Milsap left us all in awe with a glimpse of what he has in store + the 19 points in the 4th quarter game against Portland to seal the deal. However, he continues to get better on D, rebounds at a solid rate, is averaging 3 assists per game, & like George Karl & Chauncey Billups have said, he's become a more mature team leader.

6. LeBron James, Cavaliers (8-4)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
12 37.8 28.3 6.6 8.1 1.7 0.8 .516 .364 .774
Last Week's Rank - 5
The highly anticipated return of LeBron James to the top of this list will have to wait...for another week at the very least. He's putting up MVP numbers, his assist averages for a SF is un-precedented, and most importantly, he's still shooting with accuracy. He's evolving into the complete player we all thought he would be, but the Cavaliers have yet to back him up. The Delonte West saga is still continuing as he remains in & out of the line up, Shaq has been injured, and most of his role players are not consistently playing up to standards.

7. Dwyane Wade, Heat (7-4)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
11 38.6 27.6 4.8 5.2 2.1 1.2 .431 .267 .772
Last Week's Rank - 3
Miami have lost 2 out of the last 3 games, and are looking terrible on defense. Luckily, Dwyane Wade managed to hit a spectacular three pointer to keep the Nets winless, something that is very routine down in Miami. Wade is running the show, and that's exactly what a MVP does.

8. Brandon Roy, Blazers (9-4)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
13 36.7 20.3 4.8 5.1 0.3 0.2 .448 .370 .830
Last Week's Rank - 7
To a degree he hasn't been playing up to our normal expectations. He seems less confident on his drives right now and at times I sense he's struggling with whether to take over or to defer to others. The guy can still have a slow start and then you'll look up at the board at 3/4 time and he'll have 16 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Sooner or later the team is going to gel completely or he'll just decide to take over more often. Nothing to worry about here.

9. Paul Pierce, Celtics (9-3)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
12 34.5 18.4 4.8 3.9 1.2 0.3 .511 .478 .809
Last Week's Rank - 4
His numbers still remain above average, and his shooting is still stellar, but the Celtics are dropping. They haven't looked fresh out there, Celtics are doing just what most people thought... aging. There's the lazy Sheed we all know and the OLD Big 3. Right now... and its early, Rondo and Pierce look like the Big 2.

10. Brandon Jennings (6-3)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
9 34.8 24.8 5.8 4.7 1.1 0.2 .477 .558 .786
Last Week's Rank - 8
How can a rookie be on this list for 2 weeks running? It's simple, when that rookie explodes for 55 points, the highest point total in a game this season, you know he deserves it. This kid is just unbelievable, his shooting is great, his maturity on the court is above that of a Sophomore, and his decision making and overall court presence is phenomenal.
http://btabasketball.com/articles/bta-race-to-mvp-week-2/
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/296002-...-the-mvp-week-2
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