NBA Top 7 MVP Race

1. LeBron James
2. Kevin Durant
3. Derrick Rose
4. LaMarcus Aldridge
5. Dwight Howard
6. Kobe Bryant
7. Chris Paul
There has been a slight shift in this year's NBA Top 7 Power Ranking for MVP. KD, LeBron, and D-Rose are still among the top half of the list, while Howard, and Kobe round out the second half of the list. However, there has been a dark horse that has crept into the race and he is none other than newly acquired Clippers Point Guard Chris Paul. CP3 has been a great addition to the team with his excellent playmaking and passing skills, which help improve the play of fellow All-Star Blake Griffin and others around him. Paul is averaging 18.5 ppg while shooting a career high field goal pct. (.505), 3rd in apg (9.0), 8th in total assists (190), 7th in steals (49), with an Efficiency Rating of +24.14. CP3 has a higher Efficiency Rating than both Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose. Chris Paul's added value has helped the Clippers reach 3rd place in the Western Conference with a 17-9 record. Blazers Power Forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been another dark horse in this race as well.




As far as the top 2 Players on my list are concerned, there is no question that both Kevin Durant and LeBron James are by far playing at the highest level while helping their teams be the best in the league. LeBron is up to his usual stellar performance, ranking 2nd in ppg (28.0), with 8.2 rpg, 2nd in apg (7.0) 2nd in total points (754), 2nd in field goals made (269) 5th attempted (500), and 5th with a career high pct. of .538. James is also 2nd in free throws made/attempted (198/262) along with an Efficiency Rating of +30.56 (1st). LeBron has also been the largest reason why Miami is 2nd in the East at 21-7, as he ranks 1st in Win Shares (6.18), Win Shares Per 48 Minutes (.304), and Offensive Win Shares (4.53). LeBron is on a mission to reclaim the MVP and with his 23 points, 13 boards, and 6 assists in Sunday night's 107-87 thrashing of the Hawks, he continues to make his case stronger.



On the other side, Oklahoma City All-Star Kevin Durant has continued to raise both his level of play as well as his teams while ranking 3rd in ppg (27.0), 3rd in total points (728), with 8.2 rpg, 4th in field goals made, 2nd in field goals attempted (264/523), with a .505 fg %, 4th in free throws made, fifth in attempts (159/195) with a .815 ft %, and 4th in Efficiency Rating (+26.48). Durant's production for his team has also placed him 5th in Win Shares (4.60), 9th in Win Shares Per 48 Minutes (.215), and 8th in Offensive Win Shares (3.22) while leading the Thunder to a record of 21-6, placing them 1st in the Western Conference and 2nd in the league behind the Chicago Bulls. KD's increase in field goal percentage, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game are a very good indicator of his boost in playmaking ability as an all-around player. These are only signs of great things to come from the Durantula. As we approach the All-Star break, the race will become only stronger.