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Daily NBA Fix: The Race For MVP Isn’t A Foregone Conclusion

By Ben Gibson

Dec 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball in front of Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won in overtime 122-119. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball in front of Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won in overtime 122-119. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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For the first few weeks of the season Stephen Curry had the MVP award locked up with a historical level of play, but now Paul George is turning it into a two-horse race.

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DAILYFIX_151206 /

Stephen Curry is still the reigning MVP and is playing like one too. Saturday night against the Toronto Raptors, with 9-of-15 shooting from beyond the arc and 44 points, he kept the Golden State Warriors’ perfect season intact with a 112-109 win on the road.

He’s still making history with each game as he knocks down 3-pointer after 3-pointer and we may not even properly appreciate what he’s doing at the moment.

But depending on your definition of what exactly “most valuable player” means, his grip on the MVP awards isn’t as solid as it once was. If you think MVP means the best player, period, then Curry still likely has your vote. But if value translates to most important in your mind, Paul George would like a moment of your time.

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Paul George may not be redefining the way basketball is played, but he’s certainly been the most valuable player on the Indiana Pacers, and maybe even now, the league.

Saturday night against the Utah Jazz, he scored career-high 48 points and was a driving force in the Indiana Pacers’ comeback in the second half. The Jazz went on to win, but PG helped erase a 17-point deficit with 9-of-15 shooting and 28 points in the second half of the game and overtime.

He was a Curry-esque 6-of-8 from beyond the arc after halftime as well. It wasn’t just the second half either, as in all he went 15-of-27 and 8-of-11 from deep. He also grabbed eight rebounds with three steals and three assists in the closely contested game.

And all of this with a metal rod in his leg and just more than a year removed from breaking his leg.

It is entirely fair to see Curry (or Russell Westbrook) as a more viable candidate as MVP, but the way Paul George was come back playing at a level higher than before his injury is one of the most shocking things about this season.

Even most Indiana Pacers fans that weren’t insane expected the team to struggle more dealing with all the changes in personnel and style of play, but Frank Vogel as molded this team into something special as it fights for the lead in the Eastern Conference as well. Of course none of that would be possible without Paul George and that’s exactly why he’s a leading candidate now.

Curry is still in the lead, but PG is starting to fill up his rearview mirror. The two will face off on Tuesday when the Pacers host the Warriors and that will give both a great platform for their MVP candidacy.

Can’t wait.

Favors Duels PG, Gets the Win

Paul George may have had a career night against the Jazz, but Derrick Favors and the Jazz got the win. Favors went 14-of-24 for 35 points, with 13 rebounds as well.

The Jazz are on the fringe of the playoff picture with a 9-9 record and in eighth place, but you’re starting to see all the pieces come into place of what might be a very good team in the near future. It is no guarantee, but it’s hard to not see the team taking a big step up in the next year if they can maybe make one or two more moves to solidify a solid core.

Dec 5, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) talks with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) talks with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

On the 7th Day, LeBron Rested

For anyone hoping for a classic matchup between the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Saturday  night must have been a disappointment.

LeBron James chose to sit out in a 99-84 loss for Cleveland due to his bad back and the Cavs being on the tail end of a back-to-back that saw overtime the night before.

With LeBron being the connective tissue between the two franchises it’s understandable that Miami fans were unhappy that they didn’t get to boo their former hero in the game, but that didn’t stop them from taunting him.

"Looks familiar"

Next: NBA: Top 10 MVP Candidates In 2015-16

While I’m sure some tried to spin this into a weird conspiracy theory, but it seems a lot simpler to remind ourselves this team isn’t playing for history like the Warriors or a playoff spot. The only thing LeBron will be judged for this season is a championship.