NBA mid-season update: MVP front-runners, title contenders, rookie standouts

The NBA season is in full swing, with a host of games taking place on Christmas Day. Among the highlights will be The Los Angeles Lakers squaring up against the LA Clippers in a much-anticipated rematch of the opening day classic. The Houston Rockets are also in action, as they take on the fallen kings of the Golden State Warriors. Express Sport has given a run-down of the current frontrunners for the MVP award and Rookie of the Year award, as well as the NBA Championship.

The 2019-20 NBA season was set to be all about the new duos throughout the league, as multiple teams boasted fresh new talent from the offfseason.

The Brooklyn Nets, who acquired Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, were tipped to be a frontrunner for the Eastern Conference title, but have failed to impress so far.

Durant went into the campaign knowing he wouldn’t play a minute, but the team has failed to properly gel in his absence, and they have won just 16 games compared to 13 losses.

The story of the season, instead, has been about a host of other teams and players, and Express Sport has the run-down here.

Rookie of the Year

Anybody betting on anybody other than Zion Williamson for the Rookie of the Year award this summer would have been essentially betting on an injury.

However, that is sadly exactly what happened. The megastar rookie out of Duke University hasn’t played a minute in his debut season after suffering a knee problem on the eve of the opening night.

As a result, the space has been opened for a new rookie star to shine, and Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant has done just that.

After being picked second, the youngster has put in a dazzling start to the season, and has so far averaged 18 points-per-game [ppg] with three rebounds and 6.5 assists.

He has captured the attention of basketball fans everywhere with his dynamic style of play, and almost produced a dunk-of-the-year candidate against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as he leapt over Kevin Love before seeing his effort smash off the rim.

NBA Championship contenders

In the Eastern Conference, it’s a one-horse race at the moment.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been nothing short of sensational, and have raced ahead to a 27-4 start.

With the help of reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, they have been unstoppable with a five-game lead at the top of the Eastern Conference.

The Boston Celtics are next behind them and have shown potential, but the Bucks will be reeling after missing out on the title last year, as they lost to the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In the West, it’s a different story. The Los Angeles Lakers have been the unstoppable force their rivals feared they would be, and have a 24-6 record.

Going into last week, they had a record of 24-3, and looked on course to walk the division.

However, the LA Clippers are a sleeping giant in the conference, with a record of 22-10.

They have been carefully managing minutes, and have restricted Kawhi Leonard’s game-time, along with Paul George.

The Clippers are built for the post-season, and are looking on course to be a force to be reckoned with.

NBA MVP contenders

At the moment, the MVP race is looking exactly like it did last year, with Giannis Antetokounmp and James Harden leading the way.

The only thing is, both have got significantly better.

Harden is making a claim to be the most offensively prolific player of the decade – maybe even since the turn of the millennium.

The Houston Rockets guard is able to get to the line with ease, and has improved his three-point prowess this year.

He is averaging a terrifying 38 ppg, which has somehow increased from last season.

His only rival is Anteokoumpo, who took home the award last season.

The ‘Greek Freak’ has carried the Bucks to the top of the East, and has shown levels to his game previously unseen.

Averaging 31 ppg with 13 rebounds and 5 assists, Antetokounmpo has carried on from where he left off last year, and has added a decent three-point shot to his game, something which could help him earn back-to-back gongs.

source: express.co.uk