NBA: Top 10 candidates for MVP in 2017-18
1. Kevin Durant
When Kevin Durant nailed that go-ahead 3-pointer over LeBron James in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, many — this writer included — viewed it as the microcosm play of a changing of the guard. James may have averaged a triple-double for the series, but KD was its best player, averaging 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steals per game on .556/.474/.927 shooting.
Considering most of that production came with King James guarding him, the performance of the reigning Finals MVP matters. Yes, he obviously had more help with a vastly more talented team. But considering Durant isn’t leaving this team anytime soon, does that context really matter for our purposes?
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
Unless the NBA changes the Finals format to a one-on-one battle, Kevin Durant on this Warriors team is going to be more dangerous than LeBron on that Cavaliers team. Basketball is not played in a vacuum, in other words, and it’s the reason KD enters the 2017-18 season as our MVP favorite.
Playing with Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green obviously diminishes his individual accomplishments, but KD still put up 25.1 points, 8.3 points, 4.8 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.1 steals per game on .537/.375/.875 shooting splits in a “down” year.
Now that he’s more familiar with his teammates and has the narrative of his first championship, a Finals MVP Award and finally besting LeBron head-to-head on the biggest stage, this feels like Kevin Durant’s time. There’s just too much momentum to ignore here.
It’ll take big numbers from KD to outshine Curry, LeBron and every other MVP candidate, but the Golden State Warriors won 67 games last year with Durant missing 20 games. This team could very easily breeze through the regular season with 70 wins, and if Durant is healthy, his team-leading numbers will make him a hard candidate to ignore.
Next: The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated, 2016-17)
If that’s the case, if KD creeps closer toward joining the 50-40-90 club again and if he bumps up his numbers again, there’s a very good chance he rides this wave through to his second MVP Award. Last year in Game 3 of the Finals, Durant made his first move to snatch the title of NBA alpha dog away from LeBron. A 2017-18 MVP campaign to follow it up wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest.