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2018-19 NBA MVP Ladder: Giannis Antetokounmpo leads November edition

By Gerald Bourguet

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images /
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10. Paul George

Stat line: 23.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.4 APG, 2.2 SPG, .418/.354/.818 shooting splits, 20.6 PER

Russell Westbrook may be damn near averaging a triple-double, but he’s also missed eight of the team’s first 20 games. The guy who kept the Oklahoma City Thunder afloat and helped build positive momentum after the 0-4 start — without Russ — is the one who cracks the November MVP ladder.

Paul George is OKC’s leading scorer and is tied for third in the entire league in steals. His efficiency isn’t quite where it needs to be, but he looks more comfortable than ever, posting career highs in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, blocks and 3-point attempts. The Thunder boast a +9.5 Net Rating with him on the court, and a -5.8 Net Rating without him.

George is way on the outside looking in at the more serious MVP candidates, but he’s been the driving, two-way force behind a Thunder squad that’s won 13 of its last 16 games. To this point in the season, that’s enough to help PG-13 crack the top 10.