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NBA Awards Watch: James Harden vs. Stephen Curry For MVP

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 6, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) drives the ball on a fast break during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) drives the ball on a fast break during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 31, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) moves in to score a basket against Golden State Warriors during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Chris Paul

75 games, 34.9 MPG, 18.9 PPG, 10.1 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG, .482/.384/.892 shooting, 25.3 PER

Last week: 8 (⇑‡‘2)

Chris Paul is the backup MVP candidate that no one is talking about. I guess that title could also apply to LaMarcus Aldridge, but now that the Los Angeles Clippers are basically even with the Blazers in the standings (and actually, they were ahead of Portland before last night’s defeat at the hands of the NBA’s best team), we have to give the edge to CP3.

Much like Blake Griffin did last season with Paul missing time, CP3 was exceptional in leading the Clippers this year with Griffin sidelined. Lob City’s win streak had to come to an end at some point, so even though it was disappointing to lose to their division rival with Draymond Green on the bench, Chris Paul is every bit the Point God he’s always been.

CP3 will continue to be judged by what he accomplishes in the postseason, however. His season numbers are great, but they’re not good enough to catapult him into our top five, and his team’s success this season hasn’t been exceptional enough to do that either.

Next: No. 5 - King James