MVP
Zack Padmore – James Harden (Houston)
The reigning MVP James Harden is my pick to win the award for a second consecutive year in 2018-19. Honestly, I think he should be going for his third straight MVP award, but Russell Westbrook beat him out in 2017. Houston will continue to be a big-time threat, and Harden will continue to put up big-time numbers.
He’ll never be a great defensive player, but his offensive gift is out of this world. He can score from absolutely anywhere on the floor, he’s a tremendous playmaker and he’ll be competing for a championship. This was an easy choice for me.
Hayden Van de Maat – Anthony Davis (New Orleans)
Since DeMarcus Cousins’ Achilles injury last season, Anthony Davis was the best player in the NBA. He posted absurd stat lines with regularity, led the Pelicans to the playoffs and past the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. Despite what many thought of the Pels’ offseason, I view the subtraction of Cousins and Rajon Rondo and the addition of Elfrid Payton and Julius Randle as a positive.
Therefore, I believe New Orleans will be a top-four team in the West and if Anthony Davis can continue to put up the numbers from the latter part of last season, he should be taking home the hardware.
Josh Padmore – Stephen Curry (Golden State)
Now in his prime, I think Stephen Curry will take home his second MVP award. Health is the biggest hurdle in Curry’s way — he played in 51 games last season. However, a key stat is how many times he got to the free-throw line. Curry shot a career-high six free throws per game. Since Curry is practically an ATM at the foul line, those are six freebies to his scoring average. He’s the best point guard in the game.
Ryan Aston – Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City)
I’m making this pick with a big asterisk in the form of the Thunder star’s right knee, which was operated on once again earlier this month. That said, previous surgeries haven’t slowed down Russell Westbrook yet, and he’s entering 2018-19 with a chip on his shoulder.
Let’s face it — Westbrook had an off year last season. However, he’s just a year removed from having one of the finest statistical seasons in league history, OKC has the Carmelo Anthony monkey off its back and Paul George and Anthony Roberson will be back in the fold. I think a return to prominence will follow for Russ.
Jared Woodcox – Anthony Davis (New Orleans)
This was a harder than usual selection for me. I think there’s a good chance that James Harden defends his crown, but the voters always seem to like to freshen up their choices, so I think they’ll go with new blood this time around. Anthony Davis is an exceptional talent, and now that he’s the lone big-time star on his team but also boasts an exceptional supporting cast, I think he’ll get the nod in 2019.
He’ll have to remain healthy, which has been one of his biggest obstacles, but he’s really a guy who can do it all. If he can build off the success the Pelicans had to finish last year, he could very well elevate his team to new heights and therefore set himself apart as the league’s Most Valuable Player.