NBA 2014-15 MVP Predictions: Anybody Not Named LeBron James

Photo Credit: KRMG

Here is my NBA MVP Predictions without King James; because all we know how boring it is to name him MVP almost every year.  To be honest, LeBron James will probably win MVP again, or at least have a great chance to due to the new “Big 3″ that he is apart of in Cleveland.  But naming LeBron MVP is no fun, so here goes a list of players who may have a chance to be the 31st person to win the legendary Maurice Podoloff  MVP Trophy.

**Kevin Durant is also not on this list because he wont the MVP last year**

1. Stephen Curry

Already holding it down on Team USA’s FIBA Roster, Steph Curry is slated to have another great season, as well as his team who should be more healthier than last year.  Curry scored 24 points per game last year and increased his assist per game from 6.9 to 8.5 ; he is increasing his role as a playmaker and a more all-around player who can carry the team. Don’t be surprised to hear Curry’s name a lot if Golden State can get hot mid-season.

2. Carmelo Anthony

We don’t know what to make of the New York’s Knicks’ current roster, but if the Knicks somehow find their way in middle of the playoff hunt it will definitely be from Carmelo’s outstanding play.  The last two seasons Carmelo posted Player Efficiency Ratings of 24.8 and 24.4 on teams that lacked talent around him; those were his two best efficiency years in his whole career.  This is obviously a long shot because the MVP usually goes to a player on the top four teams (which doesn’t make much sense), but wouldn’t we all like to see Carmelo win at least one award? He has been such a great player for so long, he deserves at least a little recognition.

3. Anthony Davis

Another player who has a questionable team around him… But look at what he has been doing for Team USA, he has been an absolute force. Davis is a great talent on both sides of the court, making other teams make a defensive game-plan focusing on him. He greatly impacts the game and if his play somehow goes to the next level, the Pelicans can win a lot of games and Davis would definitely be considered as an MVP candidate.  At the young age of 21, Davis nearly posted 21 points per game as well as accumulating 10 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. The scary thing is that he has a lot of time to improve.

4. Blake Griffin / Chris Paul

I combined these two because they are on the same team and have equal chances of winning the award.  Chris Paul got a lot of MVP Buzz early last season until he went down with an injury.  The Clippers didn’t skip a beat with Blake Griffin. He had a stretch of games where he scored 36,43,26,36,38, and 35 points.  Both these players are capable of having MVP-like seasons, but one of them will likely take the backseat.

5. Kevin Love

This would only happen if LeBron James misses time due to an injury or if Kevin Love put up some statistically crazy numbers that would be near LeBron’s. Love will definitely be on a team with wins to be considered though.

6. LaMarcus Aldridge

A 20-10 big who was automatic from mid range last year. If he can do it again and lead his team to a high seed in the west, Aldridge would be a formidable candidate for the MVP.  Most people think Damian Lillard is the best player on the Trail Blazers; Lillard has talent no doubt about it, but Aldridge is in his prime and it definitely showed last year.

7. Derrick Rose

I didn’t want to add any former MVP’s in here but we’ll file this under special circumstances.  Rose, who has only played in 50 games in the last three years is far removed from that MVP award he earned years ago. If Rose stays healthy and can perform near his ability pre-injury the Bulls will most likely be the top seed in the East and it would be hard to deny him the award.  Hopefully he can get back on track and stay healthy.