Let the annual NBA MVP debate begin

New York: The argument happens most every year. Who is the NBA MVP?

LeBron James has been the best player for most of his 15 years in the league, and he’s won the award only four times. Russell Westbrook won it last year, buoyed by averaging a triple-double, yet seems to not even be in the conversation this season with very similar numbers. James Harden was a popular pick last season, saw his assist and rebound numbers dip this season, yet is generally considered the runaway favourite.

Part of the issue is this: There’s no clarity on how the MVP is defined.

No one knows the criteria. The award ballot sent to MVP voters simply says “The winner of this award receives the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, named after the first Commissioner of the NBA.”

Is it the player most valuable to his team?

Is it the player most valuable to the game?

Is it the best player?

Those are only some of the many grey areas.

Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers has said many times over the years that James would win annually, if not for voters getting tired of selecting him (though Rivers is also on record this year saying Harden will be MVP). Michael Jordan might have dealt with the same voter-fatigue issue. And it’s still baffling that Oscar Robertson, who had some of the most statistically ridiculous seasons in NBA history, won it only once.

Debate will probably always surround the MVP race, a notable exception being two years ago when Stephen Curry was the first unanimous winner.

This year’s answer will come June 25, when the NBA announces the winner. It’ll likely be Harden. There will be reasonable points made in support of that. There will be reasonable points made for James as well.

James used to downplay winning division titles. Not this time. Not after what these Cleveland Cavaliers have been through this season.

This one is worth appreciating.

“I’ve kind of like been a hypocrite of that because I’m always moving and trying to figure out how we can be better the next day or whatever the case,” James said after the Cavaliers got their 50th win along with that Central Division title by beating the New York Knicks 123-109 on Monday night.

“So it’s always hard for me to be like, OK, another division crown after everything that’s gone on with our team and our ballclub this year, but it’s a pretty cool thing.”

Houston coach Mike D’Antoni doesn’t buy the idea that his team’s season will be diminished if, after having the best record in the NBA, the Rockets don’t win a championship.

“I read something the other day where sure James Harden should be the MVP. Sure Chris Paul and James have been great, sure they set a franchise record [by] about six games’ worth, but they’ll ultimately be judged by if they win a championship or not,” D’Antoni said.

“Really? It doesn’t diminish what these guys have done.”

D’Antoni, looking for his first championship as coach, considers titles a faulty marker, noting the number of role players who have won championships by playing alongside great players.

Predictions

MVP

James Harden, Houston. Mastered a new position last season. Masterfully shared it this one. His stats, team’s record, make a worthy winner.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

Clint Capela, Rockets. Blocks shots, rebounds, and the NBA’s leading shooter doesn’t miss much when he gets the ball.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Brad Stevens, Celtics. Won it in November with response to losing Gordon Hayward. Re-won it in March with response to losing Kyrie Irving.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Donovan Mitchell, Utah. Hard to believe he was barely a lottery pick last year after watching him carry Utah like an All-Star.

EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION

Cleveland still have the best player and too much firepower around him to lose four times to an East team.

WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION