The NBA season is fairly young as of now, teams trying to figure out their identity while players are trying to figure out their role on their respective team. But one thing that remains constant throughout this process is your stars, your team’s number one option knows his role. A team’s number one option ideally a model of consistency, they will carry their team through the droughts of a team’s scoring and become the go-to guy when it is crunch time.
With consistent play from a number one option then begins the discussion is this player and MVP candidate? Many contrarians love to throw around the term, “looter in a riot” when it comes to a top option filling up the box score for a team that is .500 or a middle seed in the conference.
The league’s MVP usually goes to the number one option on the NBA’s top team. The individual’s statistics do go hand in hand with the success of the team with a few exceptions. A lot of times it’s a media love story when there are more deserving candidates.
Entering the season and by the end of the season it is safe to say who the candidates will be and get votes.LeBron James, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, James Harden and Stephen Curry to name a few.
Out of all the possible MVP candidates this year, one possible dark horse is Chris Bosh.
He is getting paid an MVP type salary, a number one option and without Lebron James taking away shots from Bosh. The case can definitely be made that Bosh deserves some consideration. The season is still young but Bosh’s game is completely different. He is no longer the third option anymore, he is the first option. The development of a mid-range, and the threat from three (36.2%) has forced teams to defend Bosh all over the court. And has been nicknamed “Big Shot Bosh” by the Heat fan base.
His value to the Heat is irreplaceable this season. With Dwyane Wade going in and out of the lineup, Norris Cole turning the ball over and the team not sure what Mario Chalmers they would be getting. The team goes where Chris Bosh takes them.
Last year’s voting, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson and Kevin Love received votes who are all comparable to Bosh and a case could be made that Chris Bosh is a superior talent.
It is not a long shot. With the East pretty weak this year, there is no Paul George, Derrick Rose is in an out of the lineup. Which leaves us with Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Joakim Noah.
As for the West, Kobe Bryant is inefficient and there is zero chance he will win the award when the Lakers will be a lottery team. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are injured and will miss extended time, the two stars for the Clippers and Warriors will take away votes from each other, and the Spurs do not play their stars enough minutes to garner serious attention. All the Heat and Bosh need is a couple breaks and he is right into the conversation.
Bosh is a completely different player than he was the past four years, constant comparisons being thrown around where Bosh is inferior to the talent when in fact he is statistically better and even passes the “eye test”. The season is young but it is trending upwards for Chris Bosh. It is unlikely that he will win it. If I am a betting man, I will take the field but this is not a farfetch’d discussion and should seriously be considered as the season progresses.
When you are averaging twenty one points and eight rebounds while getting to the line seven times a game, as a team’s number one option. These numbers increase and only make the case for Bosh stronger. Until then, let the season play out and become narrow minded on who should win and who is deserving for the award.