NBA Awards Watch: MVP

By Mike Elworth. Follow Mike @MikeElworth24. For site updates follow @walterfootball.

Six weeks into 2016 NBA Season, this is my second NBA Awards Watch. I had an offseason version with LeBron James as the MVP, Steve Kerr as the Coach of the Year, Marcus Smart as the Most Improved Player, Marc Gasol as the Defensive Player of the Year, Jahlil Okafor as the Rookie of the Year and Joakim Noah as the Sixth Man of the Year. Regardless, these are my picks now, enjoy.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
There isn’t much to say about Curry that hasn’t been said. He is most skilled offensive player in the NBA, his team is the best, and he is having one of the best seasons any player has had in 20 years. Curry is the No. 1 scorer in the league and also one of the most efficient. He could average 40 a game if he wanted to.

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s funny that LeBron James is having such a bland season and is still having the second-best season of any player. His team is also easily the best in his conference. Just another excellent season for the NBA’s best talent.

Paul George, Indiana Pacers
His team isn’t a contender in the East, but don’t tell Paul George that, as Indiana’s franchise player is having his best season just 18 months removed from one of the ugliest injuries in sports history playing for Team USA. He is centimeters from being the best player in the East this season; LeBron James’ efficiency and stronger team is why George is third.

Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are the second-best team in the league, and Leonard, the 2015 Defensive Player of the Year has become their franchise player and best scorer. This team is now his, and he is the man on offense and is an elite defender for the NBA’s best defense. Leonard won’t win this award, but he should at least be in the first five, as he is the MVP of the NBA’s second-best team.

Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
I don’t want to have a Thunder player here because they have two of the five best players in the NBA with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and it’s too hard to pick, so I will go with Andre Drummond, who is having the best season of any big man. His team is a lot stronger than expected and should make the playoffs, and that is because of Drummond becoming the best center in the league.