SI: Kawhi Leonard Is Quietly Building His Case For NBA MVP

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Harden is still my pick for MVP, but this is a solid article:

http://www.si.com/nba/2017/02/01/san-antonio-spurs-kawhi-leonard-nba-mvp-contender

[HarlemHeat37]

He has a great case for MVP, but he will take a hit due to being overshadowed by the bigger name and superstar on the team IMO..

It's a narrative award, anyways, which means Harden will win..

[Spur|n|Austin]

MVP should compete on both ends of the court, imo.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

Harden, Kawhi, and Westbrick are all true lone-wolf superstars in a team where there aren't so many two-and-three superstar teams as there were several years ago (even last year) because one team is greedy faggots and hogs 4 of them.

[BillMc]

Harden is still my pick for MVP, but this is a solid article:

http://www.si.com/nba/2017/02/01/san-antonio-spurs-kawhi-leonard-nba-mvp-contender

Nice find!:toast

[Chinook]

"Not quietly enough." -- Lebron, KD.

[spurraider21]

I think kawhi will be runner up again. Hardens case is compelling

[SpursforSix]

I think kawhi will be runner up again. Hardens case is compelling

We'll see. Harden is having a great year but there's a lot of games to be played. And the voters have shown a lot of love to Leonard in the past with the Defensive POY award.

[apalisoc_9]

Lots of games to be played. Key is, he wins this month play of the month and follows that up in Feb and March.

Three consecutive player of the month awards should be enough...Just need to win at a 80% rate and average 26ppg every month plus a statement game every month to accomplish that.

[BillMc]

On a link off this article SI comments on the Spur's chances:


Are The Spurs (Gulp) For Real?



Thanks to a heinously stingy defense, the Spurs actually finished with a better net rating than the 73-win Warriors last season. But San Antonio’s 2016 campaign still ended in the second round of the playoffs, with the Thunder (then with Durant) overwhelming the Spurs with their athleticism. Golden State never truly seemed to worry about San Antonio last season, and again it’s a little unclear if the Spurs can carry their regular season greatness through the playoffs. The Spurs are currently the second-best outfit in the league, and they are the only team besides Golden State to have a top-four offense and defense.
Kawhi’s offensive improvement gives San Antonio a better chance this season than last, but right now I’m not sure which team I’d pick in a Rockets-Spurs second-round series. (And playing extremely well in the regular season only to get bounced before the conference finals is the exact reason for which the Clippers a) could be on their last legs and b) often get mercilessly roasted.) San Antonio has big road wins over the Cavs and Warriors so far this season, giving the Spurs all the trappings of a title contender, but it’s tough to tell if they’re better overall team from last year.

http://www.si.com/nba/2017/01/30/nba-burning-questions-knicks-warriors-cavaliers-james-harden-carmelo-anthony

[DarrinS]

MVP should compete on both ends of the court, imo.

I agree, but Nash and Dirk both won it.

[Arcadian]

:lol "Quietly"

It's only "quietly" because people are stupidly overlooking him.

How does one "loudly" make a case for MVP?

[tonight...you]

Harden, Kawhi, and Westbrick are all true lone-wolf superstars in a team where there aren't so many two-and-three superstar teams as there were several years ago (even last year) because one team is greedy faggots and hogs 4 of them.

Probably the single, most cogent and best post you've presented in many moons.



I take that back...

Not "Probably". It is.

[tonight...you]

:lol "Quietly"

It's only "quietly" because people are stupidly overlooking him.

How does one "loudly" make a case for MVP?

Well, you could have Kerr and Draymond and other scrubs openly shouting to the heavens in front of cameras for awards...
That would be one way.

[RD2191]

In reality the media really overestimates the help that Kawhi actually has, especially with the starting unit. It's pretty much him by himself carrying the load out there. LMA comes along every now and then but he's somewhat inconsistent.

[RD2191]

It's also pretty unfair to credit the system when in reality Harden is the system player this season.

[BillMc]

If you believe the Dubs 4 to 1 advantage in all stars reflects the relative talents of the teams with the best records then Kawhi almost has to be MVP or Pop COY or both.

[Spur|n|Austin]

It's also pretty unfair to credit the system when in reality Harden is the system player this season.

That's a damn good point.

[turkish spurs fan]

i think "kawhi leonard of the season" award should given to 2016-2017 mvp.

[UNT Eagles 2016]

How does one "loudly" make a case for MVP?
By pumping your chest, screaming, smacktalking, and flailing your arm at the ref for an and-1 after every score.

[CGD]

Dude's midrange game is looking more and more like Kobe's. It's like he assimilates the best parts of other players games.

[SpursforSix]

In reality the media really overestimates the help that Kawhi actually has, especially with the starting unit. It's pretty much him by himself carrying the load out there. LMA comes along every now and then but he's somewhat inconsistent.

This is dead on. A lot of announcers still act like they have prime Parker. And a dominant LMA. And Magic Pop.

[SpursforSix]

Furthermore, if they didn't have Leonard,they'd be in the lottery.

[Chinook]

Furthermore, if they didn't have Leonard,they'd be in the lottery.

They'd be the fifth or sixth seed. They can clearly beat 3/4 of the league with their hand's behind their backs.

[TrainOfThought5]

:lol "Quietly"

It's only "quietly" because people are stupidly overlooking him.

How does one "loudly" make a case for MVP?

Most triple doubles by any player of your generation.

[RD2191]

They'd be the fifth or sixth seed. They can clearly beat 3/4 of the league with their hand's behind their backs.

LMA stays in Portland if we don't have Kawhi. Maybe not lottery buy fighting for a playoff spot for sure.

[Chinook]

LMA stays in Portland if we don't have Kawhi. Maybe not lottery buy fighting for a playoff spot for sure.

That has little to do with how they are this year, though. If they never drafted Kawhi, well then that's a different and much more horrible scenario to consider.

[RGMCSE]

That has little to do with how they are this year, though. If they never drafted Kawhi, well then that's a different and much more horrible scenario to consider.

Lets make this clear, Pacers gave Kawhi away for George Hill and threw in OG Bertans as the cherry on top. :lol

[Mnky]

"Not quietly enough." -- Lebron, KD.

:lol

[Arcadian]

Most triple doubles by any player of your generation.

Doesn't mean shit if your team is mediocre

[TrainOfThought5]

Doesn't mean shit if your team is mediocre

Hes not the GM.

[TrainOfThought5]

That has little to do with how they are this year, though. If they never drafted Kawhi, well then that's a different and much more horrible scenario to consider.

Then we just tank for a couple years while Parker shoots to his hearts content.

[lefty]

http://www.thecoli.com/media/mjpls-mjlol-dance.5405/full?d=1480046948

[Arcadian]

Hes not the GM.

I'm not saying it's his fault that he isn't the MVP, but...he isn't the MVP.

Look at it this way - if he had a better team and had a lighter load to carry, he wouldn't be averaging a triple double. Either way, Kawhi is more deserving.

[resistanze]

http://www.thecoli.com/media/mjpls-mjlol-dance.5405/full?d=1480046948

:lol

[OrEmuN]

Then we just tank for a couple years while Parker shoots to his hearts content.

Worked well for the Lakers

[SpursforSix]

They'd be the fifth or sixth seed. They can clearly beat 3/4 of the league with their hand's behind their backs.

With what? LMA as the #1 option? Green, Parker, Pau, Manu?? Pop's masterful coaching?

[Splits]

How does one "loudly" make a case for MVP?

http://thesource.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/0919927001426705549_filepicker-490x360.jpg
http://friendlybounce.com/files/2015/11/russell-westbrook-nba-new-orleans-pelicans-oklahoma-city-thunder.jpg
https://robertfoconnell.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/null_130127_game.jpeg

http://johnclay.bloginky.com/files/2012/06/westbrook.jpg

[BatManu20]

Westbrook with a dominant 38 pts, 13 rbs, & 12 asts tonight in a come from behind win against Memphis.

Still averaging a Triple-Double, would be the first player since The Big O to do so. Unless he falls off the face of he earth, Russ l will be this season's MVP tbh, with Harden a close 2nd.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Westbrook with a dominant 38 pts, 13 rbs, & 12 asts tonight in a come from behind win against Memphis.

Still averaging a Triple-Double, would be the first player since The Big O to do so. Unless he falls off the face of he earth, Russ l will be this season's MVP tbh, with Harden a close 2nd.

I think OKC will need a top 4 seed for Russ to win it, it's still Harden's to lose, in my opinion.

[Spurtacular]

:lmao Westbrook - 39 FG% in January.

[Spurtacular]

Kawhi needs to bring his PPG over 28 PPG, tbh.

[thiste]

Pop hurts Kawhi's chances. That's the whole "system player" bogus debate.

[UZER]

Westbrook with a dominant 38 pts, 13 rbs, & 12 asts tonight in a come from behind win against Memphis.

Still averaging a Triple-Double, would be the first player since The Big O to do so. Unless he falls off the face of he earth, Russ l will be this season's MVP tbh, with Harden a close 2nd.

Oscar did not win MVP the year he averaged a 3/2. Neither did Wilt averaging 50ppg the same year.

It was Bill Russell.

[Clipper Nation]

Porker fans on suicide watch! Can't wait to see how those faggots spin it when Kawhi wins an MVP.

[spursistan]

Clippers and Jazz injuries may have won Harden the MVP, tbh..

When healthy, these two teams are better than Houston and would have probably finished as 3rd an 4th seed..Kawhi case then would have been more compelling leading 60 win team to the second best record in the league without another acknowledged All Star in his help..

With Houston slumping, If the Spurs go on a long winning streak (+10) heading into the two marquee matchups vs the Warriors in March, Kawhi could make one last push there, IMO.