For example. Here in Utah, we remember when Jimmer Fredette won player of the year. He was the only person in the MVP discussion for the whole season. However, because the media made up contenders, we weren't sure if he would win in until he actually won it. The media had us holding our breath as they talked up "the race." At the beginning of the year, it was a race between Sullinger and Fredette for POY. About mid season, Duke is playing well and Nolan is having a since streak. We forget about Sullinger and the media convinces us Nolan vs Jimmer is the real MVP race. Then Kemba Walker starts playing well in the last few weeks of the season and into the tournament. Now it Kemba vs Jimmer for POY, and the press again convinces us the Kemba actually has a 50% chance of winning it over the guy who's been the MVP all season. Who won it? Jimmer of course. They guy who's actually been in the race all year.Remember last year in the NBA? At the beginning of the year, everyone was saying "It's LeBron vs Durant. One of those two will win the MVP." Then about 3 months into the season it was "CP3 or LeBron. One of those two." Then a few months later it was "Melo vs LeBron. One of those two." LeBron was always going to win it. The media just wanted some drama and we are always ready to eat it up.
Remember this year? "It's Paul George or LeBron. One of those two will win MVP." As if George had a 50% chance of winning MVP. And this went on for about 3 months. Durant wasn't even the picture. Then Durant plays 3 weeks of great basketball. Now all of a sudden it's Durant that has 50% chance of winning the MVP. It's "LeBron vs Durant. One of those two for sure." I suspect in a month someone else will rise up, have a hot streak, and we'll forget about Durant (like we did George), and the articles will about "LeBron vs _______ for MVP." (see below for the articles about George vs LeBron for MVP).
If I had to guess on who will be "contender" for MVP at the end of the year, I'd say it will probably be Curry or Griffin. Everyone loves Curry and and we're so ready to crown him MVP. If Curry can start having some 30 point games and maybe one triple double, Durant joins George as a distant memory for MVP and it become LeBron vs Curry for MVP.
Then it will be time to chose an MVP. There will be all these sports articles, radio segments, and ESPN shows about why Curry should win the MVP over LeBron. Just like they're doing now with KD now. Just like they did with George two months ago (see links below). And Just like they did with Kemba Walker in 2011. Everyone will be biting they fingernails waiting to see the results and........
LeBron wins MVP again.Obviously. It was always going to be him. He is by far the most valuable player.
The reason we make up all this "contention" for MVP is most likely because people love drama and because people love the underdogs. We were so quick to forget George and put Durant in his place (because neither are legit contenders for MVP over LeBron) and we will be just as quick to ditch KD for Curry if Curry can have 2 or 3 weeks of brilliants (we love drama and underdogs).
As promised, Here are some links for "Paul George for MVP over LeBron" written just two months ago.
December 17th - "Will one of these ballers be crowned MVP at the end of the year? Bank on it."
( The name of this is "2014 NBA MVP LeBron James vs Paul George" with this picture attached ->)
http://streetball.com/photo/2014-nba-mvp-lebron-james-vs-paul-george
December 14th - "We now know PAUL GEORGE IS A SUPERSTAR AND THE LEAGUE MVP RIGHT NOW... What’s sad is LeBron James will probably win again" (I didn't add the caps. They were like that)...
http://blogs.1070thefan.com/2013/12/14/at-nba-quarter-pole-george-top-mvp-candidate/
December 11th - (ESPN) "After the Pacers' victory over the Heat on Tuesday... it seems appropriate now to make the argument for George over LeBron James and other top candidates. "
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/80317/paul-george-for-mvp-the-numbers-say-yes
December 10th - (ESPN) Skip Bayless tweets that Paul George in the "MVP front runner."https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/410580010324348928
December 4th - The name of this article is "MVP Rankings: Paul George back at No. 1"
http://www.sheridanhoops.com/2013/12/04/sheridans-mvp-rankings-dec-4-edition-paul-george-back-at-no-1/
December 5th - (NBA.SI.COM ) A "buy or sell Paul George is the biggest threat to LeBron Jam'es MVP reign" between two "experts." One guy says yes and the other guy says no because "the biggest threat to LeBron James is a complacent LeBron James or an injured LeBron James."
http://nba.si.com/2013/12/05/blazers-paul-george-spurs-wizards-timberwolves-buy-sell/
December 1st - "And as of right now, the campaign is strong: PAUL GEORGE FOR MVP."http://isportsweb.com/2013/12/01/indiana-pacers-paul-george-mvp/
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