POST ASB MVP RACE

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

If the Season Started After ASB, Who Is MVP?

There have been several players that have drastically outperformed their season averages since the All-Star Break. Some players start out hot, some get more comfortable as the season progresses, and some players get more competitive as playoffs approach. Here is the list of players that would be in the MVP conversation if the season started the day after the All-Star Break.

STEPHEN CURRY - 33.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 5.5 3PG, 52/46/91 Splits. These numbers are just insane. He's on a ridiculous hot streak right now has he vehemently refuses to let the Warriors be eliminated from contention. All of the play-in tournament players should be regretting this match-up, as he's on a mission. Draymond Green has taken playmaking to another level and Curry has been the prime benefactor. With them having lost Klay, Wiseman, and several other players for the year, Curry is bringing is weakest team to the playoffs since the Kerr era. He will likely continue to play hard in his new arena and has be an absolute gem to watch.

DONOVAN MITCHELL - 30.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 3.4 3PG, 47/39/87 Splits. He's putting up some of the best numbers of his career, and for those that still have bubble recency bias, he's in playoff form. With Bojan underperforming and Jordan Clarkson injured, he's taken on a larger offensive role and should continue to lead his team in scoring even after his return. Curry still has a clear edge, yet with the Jazz being the number one seed, it puts him at least in the conversation in this article. He has played more games than Curry, but Curry has had a larger impact.

JAMES HARDEN - 25.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 10.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.5 3PG, 41/21/89 Splits. He's won 10 of the 11 games he's participated in since the All-Star Break, put up insane numbers, and has upped his defensive numbers. His shooting efficiency has fallen off a cliff, which almost makes this more impressive, as if he had been averaging closer to his season averages, he'd likely be closer to 30 PPG. He consistently is getting to the line and knocking down shots and fans are counting down the weeks until we get to see the Brooklyn Big 3 compete in the playoffs.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS - If he wasn't on the worst team in the league, he would be an obvious consideration. He's averaging almost 28 points per game and over 11 rebounds per game, he's passing at a high rate, hitting almost three 3-pointers per game, and has defensive contributions.

LUKA DONCIC - The largest improvement in his game has been the 3-pointers. With the Mavs lurking in that 6/7-seed fringe, I don't think the Mavs will win enough games to have his recent run propel him back into the conversation. He remains as the best player under 25 to build a team around, but will need to be more consistent at the line and more aggressive on defense.

ZION WILLIAMSON - A lot of the same verbiage as Luka. Tremendous stats, but his team is not good enough for him to enter the conversation. Since the ASB, he's averaging almost 30 points per game on a highly efficient 63% from the field, solid rebounding and assist numbers, and okay defensive stats. He is definitely going to be in the conversation next year.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2021]

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