LA Clippers: 5 big questions for the 2016-17 NBA season
By Tom West
Chris or Blake for MVP?
As I covered on the last page, my prediction for this season is that the LA Clippers win 58 games to take the 2nd seed in the Western Conference just ahead of the Spurs. If that’s the case and the Clippers do assert themselves on a level that commands respect as the closest team out West to the Warriors, winning the most games in the Lob City era in the process, the Clips should easily have a high NBA MVP candidate.
Whether Chris Paul or Blake Griffin takes the lead is something we’ll have to see develop as the year goes on, witnessing which player emerges to deliver the more impressive season. But if the Clippers find such success and convince people that they could be ready to finally make the Conference Finals, one of their superstars pushing for MVP is a definite possibility.
At this stage, everything indicates that Griffin could be ready for the best season of his career. On the other hand, if Paul shows he still won’t take a step back as his thirties continue and he sets a stellar example for two-way point guard play yet again, producing close to 20 points and 10 assists per game, he could well be near the forefront of the race.
Paul also has the heartfelt chance to pick up votes if voters choose to reward him for such success after so many years of excellence and no MVPs or rings to show for it.
There are always multiple names to consider, but many can be eliminated right away.
No one whose team finished outside the top two seeds in their conference has been crowned MVP since Michael Jordan won his first in 1988. So, unless this near 30-year trend ends out of the blue, guys like Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Anthony Davis will likely be left out. Even if they have more value to their teams than others, the Pelicans won’t make the playoff cut and it’s possible that at least one of the Thunder or Rockets won’t make it either.
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Others can be eliminated, too. LeBron James will likely be coasting for most of the season, although him practically averaging a triple-double so far shows how amazing coasting-Bron still is. As for the likes of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, they’ve certainly lowered their chances somewhat by teaming up together and reducing how much they’ll stand out individually on a team that looks unfairly talented, anyway.
Kawhi Leonard has had a spectacular start to the season and is showing off improved handles and shot creation already. If the Spurs can win close to 60 games, he could well take home MVP. When gauging and forecasting the MVP landscape, he’s a popular pick for good reason.
However, if the Spurs do wind up dropping off a little thanks to age and a weakened frontcourt, Paul or Griffin are definitely in with a shot.