NBA: Top 10 candidates for 2018-19 MVP award
6. Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics
To really cement himself as an MVP candidate, Kyrie Irving would have to post bigger numbers in the scoring and assist columns. The 24.4 points, 5.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game he posted last year just won’t cut it considering how stacked this category is, even if he did so on .491/.408/.889 shooting splits.
However, as much as Al Horford was actually the Boston Celtics‘ best player last year, he’ll never post the raw numbers of an MVP candidate. That leaves either Irving or Gordon Hayward to carry the mantle for the likely top team in the East next year. With Hayward coming off a fear-inducing kind of injury and Irving entering a contract year, the star point guard seems like the safer bet.
The big obstacle here, aside from needing to post gaudier stat lines, is the frequent health concerns. Everyone knows Irving is a gamer with one of the league’s best handles, capable of getting one-on-one buckets and delivering crunch-time heroics. The problem is he’s frequently injured, and the knee trouble is worrisome.
If he can stay on the floor, play more than the 60 games he logged last year and boost his numbers, he could be a dark horse MVP candidate as the best player on the best team in the East. However, with so many other mouths to feed in Boston, it’s hard to see him taking the needed statistical leap.