2014 NBA Finals MVP Odds and Predictions: Vegas Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers

2014 NBA Finals MVP Odds and Predictions: Vegas Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: Since its inception in 1969, 28 different players have earned NBA Finals MVP honors. Inaugural winner Jerry West remains the only player that has taken home the award while playing for a team that lost the finals so it is pretty safe bet that the 2014 winner will come from the eventual NBA champions. It is also a safe bet that the eventual winner of the award will be a household name. Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant are just a couple of the players that have been named NBA Finals MVP multiple times, and this year, the two-time defending winner of the award, LeBron James, will try to take home the honor for a third consecutive year. James is obviously among the favorites, but he isn’t the only player that could take home the award. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the players most likely to win the 2014 NBA Finals MVP Award along with a couple of sleepers that could buck the trend.

The Favorites

If the Miami Heat pull off a three-peat, LeBron James will almost-certainly take home his third straight NBA Finals MVP. During the postseason, he leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. The offense runs through him on most possessions, and he is also the team’s best defender. Plain and simple, James is Miami’s best player and most important player on both ends of the court so it is highly unlikely that the Heat can win this series without a MVP-caliber effort from James.

Although he tweaked his ankle a bit in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, San Antonio’s Tony Parker should be good to go when the NBA Finals roll around Thursday. The speedy point guard is the engine that drives the Spurs’ powerful offense, and he currently leads the team in scoring and assists during the postseason. Meanwhile, Parker should have a big edge in his matchup with Miami’s Mario Chalmers, and with his ability to penetrate into the lane and the lack of shot blocking for the Heat, Parker has a great chance to have a big series and carry the Spurs to a title.

If San Antonio wins the championship, the sentimental favorite to win Finals MVP honors has to be Tim Duncan. Considering he has been a double-double machine in the postseason, averaging 16.5 points and 8.9 rebounds, he might end up being the statistical favorite, as well. Playing against an undersized Miami team, Duncan has a chance to dominate in the paint on both ends of the court. If he continues to flirt with double-doubles on a nightly basis and the Spurs win the title, Duncan will win the award.

The Dark Horses

After looking his age in last year’s playoffs, Manu Ginobili has been a steady contributor for San Antonio this year. He is averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals in the postseason, hitting several clutch shots and running the offense when Tony Parker has been on the bench. Even if Parker’s ankle holds up, Ginobili could still stuff the stat sheet enough to win Finals MVP honors, especially if he hits another big shot or two.

He was a shell of himself last in the postseason a year ago, but thanks to plenty of rest, Dwyane Wade has been a force for Miami in the 2014 playoffs. He is averaging 18.9 points per game on 51.9 percent shooting, and he has been able to take over games on the offensive end when LeBron James has been on the bench. Wade has also played excellent defense on the perimeter. If San Antonio decides to focus all of its attention on shutting down James, Wade could make them pay and grab his second NBA Finals MVP Award in the process.

Sleeper Specials

Although his numbers are often suppressed by San Antonio’s team-oriented system, Kawhi Leonard is easily the Spurs’ most athletic player. He is averaging 13.3 points, 6.8 boards and 1.7 steals in the postseason, and he has hounded opponents with his length on the defensive end. He has also been responsible for several highlight-reel plays on both ends of the court during the playoffs. Meanwhile, Leonard has had success in the past at bothering LeBron James, and if he is able to slow down James even a little and have a few big offensive games, his all-around contributions could earn him Finals MVP honors.

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