NBA Awards Watch: The 5 Serious MVP Candidates

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Feb 28, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Zach Randolph

49 games, 32.6 MPG, 16.5 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, .487/—/.747 shooting, 20.0 PER

Last week: 10 (⇔)

The truth is, it’s hard to make a case for anyone else to take the No. 10 spot over Zach Randolph, even though Z-Bo hasn’t exactly had a strong week. John Wall’s Wizards are plummeting down the standings, Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant are hurt and the Atlanta Hawks are too well balanced to choose one MVP candidate.

So instead, we’ll go with probably the second best player on the Memphis Grizzlies, a regular double-double machine who remained efficient over the past week despite not blowing anyone away (and missing last night’s game due to illness).

Randolph put up 20 points in consecutive contests, though both of them were double-digit losses — one against the lowly Sacramento Kings and the other against the Los Angeles Clippers. Then, puzzlingly, he put up seven points and 11 boards in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. But like I said, no one else really stands out for the final spot in our top 10, so why not Z-Bo?

Next: No. 9 - Boogie