On Monday Night, the NBA Awards took place and saw OKC Thunder forward Paul George fall in the MVP race.
At the NBA Awards, OKC Thunder forward Paul George was nominated for the Most Valuable Player award, and rightfully so. Before his two shoulder injuries, Paul George was playing at an elite level. In fact, before that tragic night in Denver, Paul George had my vote for MVP, and I would think a lot of other’s as well.
If Paul George never suffered a shoulder injury, and continue to play the second half of the year like he did the first, this would have been one of the most competitive Most Valuable Player award races in years.
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OKC Thunder fans can go on forever about just how good Paul George was this year, and Thunder fans have been fortunate enough to see what two MVP’s looks like first hand in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Paul George had an incredible year in his own right. After re-upping with the OKC Thunder unexpectedly last offense, Paul George came out to prove the doubters wrong, but after his injuries, the Thunder suffered another first-round exit. Before his shoulder tear, the OKC Thunder were playing like one of the best teams in the entire Western Conference.
Just look at these incredible stats from Paul George. The MVPG campaign will have to return next year when George is fully healthy.
| Season | Age | G | GS | MP | FG% | 3P% | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 28 | 77 | 77 | 36.9 | .438 | .386 | .529 | .839 | 8.2 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 28.0 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/24/2019.
James Harden
James Harden followed up his MVP Award from the 2017-18 season with a phenomenal 2018-19 season especially when Harden was tasked to carry the load without Chris Paul. For me, the slow start (by his standards) for Harden knock him to second place, but as his numbers below indicate he would have been a worthy candidate.
| Season | Age | G | MP | FG% | 3P% | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 29 | 78 | 36.8 | .442 | .368 | .541 | .879 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 3.1 | 36.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/24/2019.
Giannis Antetokoumpo
The Greek freak had an insane year. Antetokoumpo carried the Bucks to the best record in the Eastern Conference and helped his cast members up their production. Antetokoumpo was sensational all year long, and that is why he earned my personal vote for MVP.
| Season | GS | MP | FG% | 3P% | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 72 | 32.8 | .578 | .256 | .599 | .729 | 12.5 | 5.9 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 27.7 |
| Career | 400 | 32.7 | .521 | .277 | .539 | .742 | 8.3 | 4.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 18.8 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/24/2019.
And the winner is
Ultimately, my list does not matter, and there is a reason these three guys are listed as the MVP finalist, they all have a case to be made for them.
Your 2018-19 NBA Most Valuable Player is Giannis Antetokoumpo.
Check back to TI for full NBA Awards coverage.