March Madness: NBA MVP Edition, Elite 8
It’s all about the accolades
Last round, we threw stats and analytics out and used the eye-test to choose which players advanced. This round, we focus on each players’ accolades this season — their records, statistical feats and impressive achievements during the 2016–2017 regular season. At the end of this round, there will be 4 players remaining for the HasBeenSports’ MVP choice.
In case you missed any of the previous rounds:
Banana Boat Region
(1) LeBron James vs. (11) Isaiah Thomas
LeBron’s Accolades:
- Consensus best player on the planet for 10 years & counting
- Led NBA in minutes/game (37.8) — WHY WOULD YOU PLAY HIM THAT MANY MINUTES IN THE REGULAR SEASON TY LUE!?!?
- Averaged 26.4p/8.6r/8.7a — a stat line that has never been achieved by a forward in NBA history
- Career highs in rebounds (8.6) and assists (8.7) per game
- Career highs in triple-doubles (13) and dunks (145)
- Cavs went 0–7 in 7 games LeBron did not play — losing by an average of 16+ points per game
IT’s Accolades:
- 2nd in NBA in 4th Quarter scoring (9.8/game)
- Averaged 29.1p/5.9a
- Tied-2nd in NBA in scoring
- Best player on #1 seed in Eastern Conference
- Best pound-for-pound scorer since Allen Iverson — actually averaged a better stat-line than Iverson ever did (from an offensive efficiency standpoint)
- Best new nickname — “King in the 4th”
Winner: IT plays his heart out, but as LeBron showed in their last regular season showdown, he’s got an extra gear (and then some) that IT just cannot match. LeBron wins, 97–88.
Heart of Darkness Region
(2) Russell Westbrook vs. (5) John Wall
Russ’ Accolades:
- Set the record for most triple-doubles in a season (42) — a 55-year old record!!
- Averaged a triple-double for the season (31.9p/10.7r/10.4a) — the only player to do that since Oscar Robertson in 1961–62
- Led the NBA in scoring
- Led NBA in 4th Quarter scoring (10.0p/game)
- Led NBA in Player Efficiency Rating (30.8)
- Set new usage rate record (41.8; previous record was Kobe’s 38.74)
- Led NBA in “HOLY F&%#ing Sh*t!!!” highlights
- Finished the season with the ultimate Mic-Drop moment (50p/16r/10a):
J-Wall’s Accolades:
- 2nd in NBA in assists (10.7/game)
- Led NBA in steals (2.1/game)
- Averaged 23.1p/4.2r/10.7a/23.2 PER
- Leader of a surprisingly resurgent Wizards team
- Should make 2nd Team All-NBA
- One of the best bargains in the NBA this season (makes $16.9M)
Winner: Wall has had a hell of a year and will probably finish 5th/6th in the MVP vote. HOWEVER, Westbrook is essentially Wall on steroids. Russ rolls, 93–83.
Freaks of Nature Region
(2) James Harden vs. (12) Giannis Antetokounmpo
Harden’s Accolades:
- Led NBA in assists (11.2/game)
- Tied-2nd in points (29.1/game)
- Led NBA in Win Shares (14.7)
- Led NBA in free throws attempts (873) and makes (740)
- Averaged 29.1p/8.1r/11.2a/27.2 PER stat line
- 2nd in the NBA in triple-doubles (21)
- Turned into a super-hero version of Steve Nash running the Mike D’Antoni offense
Giannis’ Accolades:
- Look at the Greek Freak’s stats from 2015–16 to 2016–17 — he literally improved in every single statistically category
- Front-runner for Most Improved Player
- Became 1st player in NBA history to finish in top-20 in all major statistical categories (points/rebounds/assists/steals/blocks)
- Likely an All-NBA member
- All-Star Starter
- Led a Bucks team to the 5-seed in the East despite losing Jabari Parker to a season-ending injury 51 games into the season and not having Khris Middleton for all but 29 games
Winner: When people look back at the 2016–17 regular season, they’ll remember Giannis making The Leap . . . but, they’ll remember James Harden’s statistical masterpiece of a season first. Harden holds on in a nail-biter, 105–101.
Hurt or Injured Region
(1) Steph Curry vs. (2) Kawhi Leonard
Chef Curry’s Accolades:
- Averaged 25.4p/4.5r/6.6a/24.7 PER
- Led NBA in 3-pointers (319)
- Led NBA in +/- average (+12.7/game)
- Best player on best team in the NBA (Durant missed too many games)
- The best bargain in the NBA this season (makes $12.1M)
- Outplayed Harden, Kawhi and Russ over a 9-day span late this season
- Remains the scariest shooter in NBA history — I literally expect him to make every 3-pointer he takes (and so do you)
Kawhi’s Accolades:
- Averaged 25.7p/5.8r/3.5a/27.7 PER
- Nearly joined the 50/40/90 Club (49 FG%/38 3FG%/88 FT%)
- Remains the best defensive wing in the NBA . . . maybe ever?
- Helped lead Spurs to 60+ wins despite being team’s only All-Star
- Remains the only player in the NBA who can consistently play LeBron James to a draw
- Guaranteed 1st Team All-Defensive selection
- Hit countless clutch shots all season
- Showed occasional emotion (e.g., a slight fist pump) for the first time in his career
Winner: It’s a real shame someone had to lose this one (eh, Mark Titus). Steph’s thrilling comeback falls just short and Kawhi marches on, 90–88.
Check back in (most likely this Friday) for the conclusion of the March Madness: NBA MVP Edition with the Final Four & Championship featuring LeBron-Westbrook-Harden-Kawhi.
[Note: All stats current as of April 11, 2017].
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