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NBA Awards Watch: The 5 Serious MVP Candidates

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives the ball to the basket during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives the ball to the basket during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts to a call during the third quarter of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 102-90. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

9. DeMarcus Cousins

44 games, 34.0 MPG, 23.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.7 BPG, 1.4 SPG, .466/—/.800 shooting, 24.2 PER

Last week: 9 (⇔)

Perhaps one day we’ll know what the Sacramento Kings look like with both George Karl and DeMarcus Cousins paired together, but for now, all we have is an excruciatingly small sample size. Due to an ankle injury, Boogie missed two games following a 16-9-6 effort in a win over the Grizzlies.

With Cousins missing the next two games, the Kings lost by 11 to both the San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers. Returning to action last night against the New York Knicks, Cuz put up 22 points, 13 boards, three assists, two blocks and two steals in a 38-point massacre.

Sacramento’s paltry record means Boogie probably won’t climb much higher than this for the rest of the season, which is a pity considering we’re seeing a career year from him. But perhaps next year, in his first full season under Karl, we’ll see something even more special.

Next: No. 8 - LMA