2015 NBA Picks and Predictions: MVP Power Rankings

2015 NBA Picks and Predictions: MVP Power Rankings: The 2014-15 NBA season is rolling right along, and as the calendar flips to 2015, it is time to take a look at how the MVP race is shaping up. For the last several years, LeBron James and Kevin Durant have basically stood alone as the main contenders for the award, but an injury to Durant and growing pains for James in his return to Cleveland have led to a wide-open MVP race. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the top five contenders for the NBA MVP Award heading into Week 10 of the season.

1. Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors 

Curry has been one of the most dynamic players in the NBA, and he currently ranks eighth in scoring, fifth in assists and first in steals. He also ranks fifth among point guards in rebounding. More importantly, Curry is the engine that drives an offense that ranks first in the NBA in scoring for a Golden State team that owns the best record in the NBA. The best players on the best team doesn’t guarantee a player MVP honors, but if Curry keeps up his current level of play and the Warriors keep winning, he is going to be hard to beat out for the award.

2. James Harden, SG, Houston Rockets 

While just about every other starter for Houston has missed time, Harden has been the stable force carrying the Rockets to the fifth-best record in the loaded Western Conference. His 26.8 points per game currently lead the league, and he is also chipping in 5.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Harden is a threat to deliver a triple-double whenever he takes the court, and the way he kept Houston in the mix while the team was decimated by injuries won’t be forgotten by the MVP voters, especially if he continues to stuff the stat sheet.

3. Anthony Davis, PF, New Orleans Pelicans

He is probably the best player in the NBA, especially if you base that on his league-leading player efficiency rating. Davis is currently third in the NBA in scoring, eighth in rebounding and first in blocks. He is also sixth in the league in field goal percentage. The problem Davis is facing is that despite being the most dominant individual player, the Pelicans simply haven’t a great team. New Orleans is currently 17-18 and 3.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. At this point, Davis’ MVP candidacy hinges more on the Pelicans improving their record than on Davis playing better.

4. Jimmy Butler, SG, Chicago Bulls

Butler has transformed himself into an excellent offensive player this season, and he currently leads the Bulls in scoring at 21.7 points per game. In addition to shooting the best percentage of his career, he has practically doubled his free throw attempts per game. Meanwhile, he has remained a menace on the defensive end, as well, and he is averaging 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game to go along with stellar perimeter defense. The Bulls currently have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, and a big reason why is Butler emergence as an MVP-caliber two-way force.

5. Tim Duncan, PF, San Antonio Spurs

The defending champs may be having one of their worst years in recent memory, but without Duncan, there is a good chance that the Spurs wouldn’t even be in position to make the playoffs. Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard have both missed significant time, but Duncan has been chugging along, averaging a double-double and leading the NBA in defensive plus/minus. In terms of actual value, you can make an argument that no player has been more important to their team than Duncan this year.

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