OKC Thunder: Stats media need to consider before voting on bubble awards

Leading MVP candidates

The bubble MVP is more understandable since individuals are putting up some crazy stats through the eight games.

Note: P =  points, R= rebounds, A = assists, ST = steals, BL = blocks, FT = free throws, 3P = 3-pointer  

Dame Time:

Damian Lillard isn’t just putting in work he’s winning when it matters most. Dame is making the right calls in his playmaking choices whether it’s former OKC Thunder star Carmelo Anthony or Gary Trent Jr. And when all else fails he’s posting ridiculous point totals. Through six games check out his key stats:

• Grizzlies: 29P, five R, nine A (win)
• Celtics:  30P, two R, 16A (loss)
• Rockets: 21P, nine R, eight A, two ST (win)
• Nuggets: 45 P, four R, 12A, three ST, 3P -11 of 18  (win)
• Clippers: 22P, three R, five A, ST (loss)
• 76ers: 51P, three R, seven A, two ST, FT -15 of 16 (win)
• Mavericks: 61P, five R, eight A, ST,  3P – 9 of 17, FT -18 of 18 (win)
• Nets: 42P, three R, 12 A, 2ST,  3P – 8 of 14, FT -8 of 9 (win)

Average: 37.8 points, 9.6 assists, 44 of 101 for 43.5 percent

Even in losses, he’s balling out.  Through his six games, the closest he came to having an off night was the Clippers game and then only because he missed two free throws. Since then he’s missed two free throws — on 43 attempts at the charity stripe.

Booker leading improbable unbeaten Suns

Other standouts are Devin Booker and his 8-0 Suns.  It should be noted for as great as Phoenix is playing there were several games the Suns benefited by not having to face full roster compliments such as the Heat, Thunder, 76ers and Mavericks squads.

• Wizards: 27P, five R, four A
• Mavericks: 30P, three R, four A, ST, FT -9 of 10
• Clippers: 35P, four R, eight A, 3P 6 of 9, NOTE: Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell did not play
• Pacers: 20P, three R, 10A
• Heat:  35P, 3 R, six A, ST, NOTE: Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic, Kendrick Nunn did not play
• Thunder: 35P, five R, four A, FT -14 of 14, two BL, NOTE: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, Steven Adams, Nerlens Noel, Dennis Schroder did not play
• 76ers: 35P, nine R, seven A, FT -11 of 12.  NOTE: Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Al Horford, Josh Richardson, and Ben Simmons did not play.
• Mavericks: 27 points, seven rebounds, five assists, 0 of 5 from deep NOTE: Luka Doncic played one half, Kristaps Porzingis did not play

Unless the Blazers choke losing back-to-back games to the Grizzlies the MVP will be Damian Lillard. No one else other than these two will get consideration. If a team had made a big leap higher up the standings perhaps the narrative would’ve changed.

However, the Clippers held off the Nuggets, the Thunder, Rockets and Jazz finished where we predicted, the Mavericks didn’t make a leap, the Heat didn’t overtake Boston nor did the Celtics catch the Raptors.

Seven teams won five or more games in the seeding schedule with the Thunder, Clippers, and Rockets capable of joining that group with wins today.

In fact, the only teams aside from the play-in group who produced strong seeding records were the Nets and Raptors but for the most part, teams finished in the same seeds they entered the bubble in.

Which brings me to some other stats that should be considered when votes are placed for MVP (and some big surprises).