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NBA: 10 Opening Week Overreactions That Might Be Legitimate

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after defeating the Phoenix Suns 113-110 in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after defeating the Phoenix Suns 113-110 in overtime at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after a shot against the Utah Jazz during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kawhi Leonard Wins MVP

It’s too early in the season to be making any definitive declarations about the MVP race.

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant may not have found their groove in Golden State just yet and LeBron James is coasting in the scoring column despite averaging 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game.

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Russell Westbrook and James Harden could be dark horse candidates as triple-double machines, while Anthony Davis’ superstar numbers can’t be overlooked either.

But KD and Curry will probably take votes away from each other no matter how many games the Dubs win, and voter fatigue and too much rest could hold LeBron’s MVP candidacy back.

The Thunder, Rockets and Pelicans may not win enough to garner their superstars enough attention, and in a wide open MVP race, this award is up for grabs.

Based on what we’ve seen from Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs one week in, they might have the winning combination of monster individual stats, compelling narrative and the ever-important team success factor on their side for the Claw to bring home his first MVP Award.

Last year, Leonard finished second in the voting as the best player on a 67-win team, but he only averaged 21.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks per game on. 506/.443/.874 shooting splits — terrific numbers, but ones that paled in comparison to what Curry, Kevin Durant and LeBron James put up.

Now, Leonard seems poised to take the next step and put any remaining “system player” silliness to rest. He’s averaging 28.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.0 steals per game on .511/.409/.956 shooting splits so far this season — all while doubling as the league’s most fearsome wing defender.

The 50-40-90 club feels like a pipe dream at this point, but the Spurs are currently 4-1 and could finish with the best record in the league. If Leonard keeps up his current production and the Spurs do what they do as far as racking up regular season wins, he’ll have the most well-rounded MVP case of anyone in a wide open year.