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NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Most Valuable Player Award In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) poses for photos during media day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Paul George

Coming off a triumphant comeback season that saw him put up 27.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game in the playoffs, Paul George has more offensive firepower around him in 2016-17. The Indiana Pacers took a step back defensively, but if they can finish with a top seed in the East, PG-13 will be in the MVP conversation.

Last season, George got off to a scorching hot start, averaging 27.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game on .458/.451/.850 shooting splits through November. Unfortunately, he was unable to sustain that MVP-caliber play, with his numbers plummeting to 22.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game on .407/.351/.863 shooting from then on.

With Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young aboard, there won’t be as much pressure on PG-13 to create for himself on offense. He’ll have a larger workload on the defensive end, but George will quickly garner MVP consideration if Indiana emerges as one of the top teams in the East.

That’s a tall task for a Pacers squad that will be relying on second-year center Myles Turner to anchor the defense, but everyone already knows Paul George is one of the game’s elite two-way players. Now it’s time to go out and make “MV-PG” happen.