MVP picks: Eastern Conference
Photo. Bootsy HollerLast week, ESPN’s Jeffri Chadiha picked an MVP for each of the NFL’s 32 teams. So in the spirit of … um … jacking, I picked my first-third of the season MVP’s for each of the NBA’s 30 squads. Eastern Conference for now, Western Conference later today:
Wizards: Caron Butler. While Gil created a shoe to market himself as the league’s MVP, (re: giltv.com) his early-season injury and 21% three-point shooting eliminates him from contention. Though Antawn Jamison is pulling down a career best 10.8 boards per night, Butler has been Washington’s catalyst. Case in point: Danny Granger recently torched the Wizards for 25 without Butler in the lineup. A few days later, Butler came back with 25 points, 8 assists, 7 boards and 3 steals against Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace.
Hawks: Josh Smith. The surprise Hawks — second in the Southeast behind Orlando — might be Joe Jeezy’s squad, but MVP honors have to go to Josh Smith. The 6-9 forward is second in the league in blocks behind Marcus Camby. Add in 1.9 steals per game as he’s got to be the early favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.
Celtics: Ray Allen. Without a doubt the toughest team to assign one MVP. This might anger some people, but at this point it looks like Ray-Ray. He doesn’t get the looks that he does if KG isn’t eating the block, and his feasts often come as a result of Pierce’s hot streaks. But nobody capitalizes better than Allen. That’s what separates him on this team of superstars.
Bobcats: Gerald Wallace. Maybe it’s because half of his attempts inside of the three-point arc are dunks, but Wallace is shooting 50% on two-point tries. He leads the Bobcats in minutes, points, steals and free throws. He’s been their high scorer in seven of the team’s 10 wins. And if not Wallace, who? MJ?
Bulls: Andres Nocioni. Wait, did I just say the C’s were the toughest team to determine? Let me revise that for the Bulls. Though Luol Deng and Ben Gordon are the team’s leading scorers, the MVP right now is Nocioni if for no other reason than his block on Eddy Curry. At 11-17, those are the feats that need to be celebrated.
Cavaliers: Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Just kidding.
Pistons: Chauncey Billups. His 28-point, 8-assist, head-fake night in Boston is enough to earn the hardware to date. Since Chauncey deked Tony Allen out of his jock, the Pistons have been on a roll.
Pacers: Danny Granger. If we could redo the 2005 NBA Draft, where would Danny Granger be picked? Top 5? The order would probably go Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Andrew Bynum and Granger.
Bucks: Michael Redd. He’s doing much more for the Bucks and fantasy owners alike. Usually a 25-point-per-night guy who drains threes, Redd has added production in the assist column (3.9 apg) and rebound column (5 rpg).
Nets: Richard Jefferson. Easily. Mister Triple-Double’s points are way down (11.3 ppg) and Vince has been hobbled. While Sean Williams shows glimpses of Amare Stoudemire circa 2003, RJ has carried the Nets with a career-best 25 points per night, nearly ten more than his average last year.
Heat: Dwyane Wade. He’s the only bright spot. By the way, aren’t Pat Riley’s teams supposed to play good defense? They’ve surrendered at least 100 points in a game 11 times this month.
Knicks: Zach Randolph. If Z-Bo is the Knicks’ MVP to date, can Eddy Curry be the anti-MVP? Zach’s nightly double-double would be better suited for wins if David Lee’s energetic contributions came alongside it instead of Curry’s.
Magic: Dwight Howard. Dwight is the league MVP at this point, and not only because he eats rebounds much in the same way that he eats weights. It’s because he makes everyone around him better. On average, Howard nets eight of his thirteen field goal attempts a night, leaving plenty of looks to go around for everyone else.
76ers: Andre Iguodala. Do I have to? OK, Iggy gets the nod simply because I can’t give it to Lou Williams in good conscience.
Raptors: Chris Bosh. The Raptors are a game over .500 because of the additions of Jason Kapono, Carlos Delfino and Jamario Moon, and the point guard play of Jose Calderon. But Chris Bosh is still the focus of this offense and the team’s go-to guy.
December 31st, 2007 at 8:39 am
rean_pinoy says:
Wizards: Caron Butler -agree.
Hawks: Josh Smith - agree.
Celtics: Ray Allen - somewhat agree (paul pierce still the man).
Bobcats: Gerald Wallace - agree.
Bulls: Andres Nocioni - really? i’d say loul deng.
Cavaliers: Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Just kidding. - funny.
Pistons: Chauncey Billups. so agree.
Pacers: Danny Granger. - hafta think about it first..
Bucks: Michael Redd. - agree.
Nets: Richard Jefferson. - is this a typographical error?mr.triple-double is jkidd right?
Heat: Dwyane Wade. - i’d say penny hardaway.
Knicks: Zach Randolph. - two words: david lee.
Magic: Dwight Howard. - amen.
76ers: Andre Iguodala. - here here.
Raptors: Chris Bosh. - eeeeh…
can’t wait for the west. nice read. happy new year people!
December 31st, 2007 at 8:50 am
Austin Burton says:
Good work, Katz. I only disagree on:
BOS: Garnett (The defense is the key, and KG runs it)
CHI: Gordon (They need his scoring too much)
IND: Tinsley (Playing the best ball of his career)
NJ: Kidd (RJ is killing, but Kidd’s still the alpha/omega)
TOR: Calderon (Bosh seems like he’s having a down year)
December 31st, 2007 at 9:00 am
William See says:
Skinny Jamal Crawford for Knicks
KG for C’s
J-Kidd for Nets, Boki only scores and nothing else
Luol Dend for Bulls
December 31st, 2007 at 9:04 am
doc says:
Its cool to me except KG in Boston,Kidd for NJ and Nut ass Miller for Sixers. I dont like him but he makes you respect his game.
December 31st, 2007 at 9:38 am
svigi says:
I think Andre Miller is more the 76ers MVP at this point of the season but Iguodala is a safe choice too..
December 31st, 2007 at 9:51 am
Captain America says:
I’m with Paul Pierce, followed by Ray. KG is too much of a whiner.
December 31st, 2007 at 9:53 am
MSkittle says:
Ray Allen over KG? No way!
December 31st, 2007 at 9:57 am
Myrie says:
Richard Jefferson over Jason Kidd? C’mon man. Your bugging. RJ cannot even get a shot if it werem’t for Kidd. He’s the easter conference verision of Boris Diaw. Nothing without his point guard.
Ray Allen in Boston?….You just wanted responses. You know damn well its KG. I don’t think you even really believe its Ray Allen (although…Ray has been one of my all-time favorite players since he was a Huskie).
Z-bo doesn’t do enough in NY. Their MVP is David Lee.
Josh Smith over Joe Johnson?…Based on what?..highlights? Joe Johnson can win you games. Not too sure Josh Smith can yet….
Hard not to pink Billups in Detroit, but Jason Maxiell is balling over there….
As for the Pacers link….you have Chris Paul as the #1 pick in 2005 (post) mock draft? And Granger in the top 5? He’s a good baller. But top 5…I don’t think so.
December 31st, 2007 at 9:58 am
djKianoosh says:
wow, i guess the top level talent is still out west. you could probably come up with a better list of guys from just one division out west. what did memphis do to deserve the division they’re in? brutal.
December 31st, 2007 at 10:20 am
Captain America says:
KG is the Rasheed Wallace of the Celtics, whining about every this and that. KG has not and will never take the buzzer beater for you, as Paul Pierce and Ray would.
December 31st, 2007 at 10:28 am
Myrie says:
How many of these teams mvps are going to the all star game?
December 31st, 2007 at 12:26 pm
dagwaller says:
I love Ray Allen, but I’d have to say that if you’re going to do a 1a, 1b, and 1c of the Celtics, you’d have to put KG up top. Everyone’s getting better on defense, granted, but who anchors it? KG. Didn’t notice that he was whining so much, but in hindsight I guess you guys are right. Just the same, I can’t name TOO many big name players that AREN’T whiners…
December 31st, 2007 at 1:05 pm
QQ says:
Ray Allen as the Celts’s MVP is just wrong. Mr Katz meet Kevin Garnett. End of story.
December 31st, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Celts Fan says:
exactly. I’ve seen it in person, the guy’s energy alone brings Boston to another place, that’s not counting his scoring, passing, and amazing D. it’s KG in a landslide.
December 31st, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Stevie B says:
2005 draft redux….
1. CP
2. Deron
3. Bynum
4. Granger????
Eventhough he’s good, don’t forget that he’s got major injury concern, while there still are:
Monta Ellis + Louis Williams (High Schoolers!!!!)
Bogut (Centers are as rare as T-mac’s good health)
Marvin Williams (did u see his number this year)
or Knick’s David Lee
December 31st, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Mcw says:
Didn’t kg make 3 buzzer beaters last year. My god out of the boston big 3, he is taking the least shots (unselfish) but possesses the highest FG (55% i believe). What more could you want? If he shots anymore, then whats the point of having 2 other scoring superstars?
And didn’t they say at the start of the season that they will always ride the hot hand. Then why was that when Pierce went 0-6 in the first half against the Jazz, Doc kept making plays for him? Seems fishy…
December 31st, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Mcw says:
Not to mention they won 2 games very comfortably w/o Ray (forgot which teams). KG is the anchor of their defense and defense wins championships ppl
And since people love bring up the past so much. When Garnett was still in Minnesota last year, their STARTING 5 was Mike James, Trenton Hassell, Ricky Davis, KG, Mark Blount. Except for KG and Davis (who is coming OFF THE BENCH for a bad Miami team), the other 3 are not even in their respective teams rotation… So much for Kobe and Lebron not having a supporting cast.
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:02 pm
ImdaMVP says:
What kinda dum mutha f****rs are yall? Yall niggaz be wil’in thinkin dat JKidd aint da MVP of da Nets. Jefferson ain’t nutin but a p**sy azz who talk like a girl. He score cause JKidd gets him da rock where he need it.