2017 NBA MVP Odds: Westbrook, Steph and LeBron lead the way
Vegas handicapper Zack Cimini breaks down MVP odds and tells you where he's putting his money in advance of the NBA season, which starts Tuesday.
We're just days away from the start of a highly anticipated NBA season.
Two years ago, Steph Curry caught fire and changed the NBA landscape for good. Before that 2014-2015 season, one could have landed 30/1 odds on Curry for MVP. Is this the season to hunt beyond the top of the field of Westbrook, Curry, LeBron, James Harden, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis?
| Odds to win NBA MVP | |
| Player | Odds |
| Russell Westbrook | +325 |
| Stephen Curry | +400 |
| LeBron James | +450 |
| Kevin Durant | +900 |
| Kawhi Leonard | +900 |
| James Harden | +950 |
| Anthony Davis | +1300 |
Expecting Steph Curry to win another MVP is not out of the question. Recently retired Steve Nash nearly accomplished the feat in the mid-2000's in a system that allowed his skills to flourish.
Similar to the countless additions and subtractions on the Suns roster during the Nash era, the addition of Durant will not change how Curry goes about his shot selection.
Out in Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook assuredly will be a triple-double threat on a nightly basis. Yet, being on a borderline playoff team will likely put Westbrook out of contention, as has been the case with James Harden and Anthony Davis in recent seasons.
No player has seen his odds rise in the MVP market as much as James Harden. With Harden now playing point guard, many expect Mike D'Antoni's system to benefit Harden the way it did Nash.
But D'Antoni's system is no longer unique and I don't envision Harden hitting the higher level necessary to win the MVP.
Therefore, the value in my opinion lies with the forgotten one in Cleveland. This is now LeBron James' third season back in Cleveland. With an NBA title in hand, it's odd not to hear buzz surrounding James for MVP.
He did not participate in Olympics basketball to preserve his body. He's also offered hints that his draft class is next in line to fade off into the sunset of retirement.
Nursing his body during the regular season has also diminished his MVP chances. Since 2011 he has averaged 72 games a season. Statistically, James' rebounding, assists, and steals per game have stayed consistent since his second NBA season.
Scoring is the only category that's dropped off. The last two seasons, James averaged 25.3 points, which is higher only than his rookie year.
I believe LeBron has 100 percent trust in his teammates, starting with Kyrie Irving. Therefore, James can and will score better this season than he did the past two years.
Back James to land his fifth MVP award, tying Michael Jordan.
Pick: Lebron James +450
Odds courtesy of 5Dimes
