The NBA has changed its routine and will now hold an NBA awards show for the winners of the Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player Of The Year, Rookie Of The Year, Sixth Man Of The Year, Most Improved Player, Coach Of The Year and Executive Of The Year award. This night will be hosted by Drake and will be televised on TNT.
The finalists are official
The three officially named finalists for the 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player award will be, in no order, Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden from the Houston Rockets and Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs.
Russell Westbrook averaged a triple double during the 2016-17 season with 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game. Westbrook's OKC team finished the season sitting in 6th place in the competitive Western Conference, with a regular season record of 47-35.
James Harden had his best season of his career, with extraordinary statistics across the board averaging 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game, leading the league in assists. The Houston Rockets finished the 2016-17 season with the third-best record in the West, at 55-27.
Finally, Kawhi Leonard led his team to the second-best record in the Western Conference with a record of 61-21. Kawhi averaged a career-high 25.5 points per contest to go along with 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field.
These three players filled out the three finalist positions for the 2017 NBA MVP award that will be announced and awarded to one of these guys after the playoffs are over. But there just seems to be one problem, and that's the man that is missing from this discussion.
The best and most valuable player in the world will not be heading to New York City for the awards ceremony, for an award that defines the basketball player that he is.
There are apparently three more guys deserving of the award.
A key player is missing
Who's the missing player you ask? Well, let me introduce you to LeBron Raymone James. A player who averaged career highs. Yes, I repeat... career highs in both rebounds and assists during his 14th season.
LeBron James had such an incredible season that he became the only player in NBA history to score at least 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists on over 54% shooting in a season.
His team also went an awful 0-8 without him in the lineup. That's ZERO wins and eight losses. If there is ever an award that defines LeBron James, it's the Most Valuable Player award. So for him to not even be in contention for it, is absurd.
LeBron's thoughts on this?
LeBron was asked about his thoughts on not being named in the top 3 for the 2017 NBA MVP award. His answer was simple:
"I know what I bring to the table. This league knows what I bring to the table".
That's very true. Players, coaches, managers around the league know exactly the type of player LeBron James is as they have to face him during the season at some point. And the players and coaching staff on the Cavaliers know the caliber of performer the King is, they have an up close and personal viewing experience of it.
But it seems the media members and people who vote for the MVP award are oblivious to what LeBron brings to the table. LBJ doesn't need motivation, but this is certainly a little he can use as he makes a run at his second straight championship. While the 'MVP finalists' sit at home watching him do it.
