NBA Finals 2014: Top 5 MVP candidates

We are four games into the 2014 NBA Finals, and those who have seen every minute of the series so far might be reflecting onhow the Spurs could have been celebrating thier fifth title in franchise history over the weekend instead of preapring for Game 5 had they hit a few more free throws in Game 2.Nevertheless, leading 3-1 they have a tight grip over the series and have put the exhausted Miami Heat in a position they are not accustomed to dealing with. In 31 instances till date,teamsthat have trailed 1-3 in a Finals series have never gone on to win the Finals, so the odds are heavily stacked against the two time defending champions.As we near Game 5 tip-off, the moment Spurs fans would look forward to the most and the one Heat fans would be dreading the most is the possible trophy presentation taking place after the game. The Larry OBrien trophy would no doubt beearned and shared by every Spurs player, but what about the Bill Russell Finals MVP award?We have 5 possible players who could walk away with the trophy, thanks to the San Antonios team play and ball movement. Here they are -

#5 Boris Diaw

The chances of Boris Diaw being named the Finals MVP range from highly unlikely to none. But his play on the court in this series definitely earns him a spot on the list.

The French national averages 6.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists over the four games so far including a near triple double performance in Game 4 of 8 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists, which clearly showcase that versitality is his stronghold and his main contribution to the Spurs system.

Diaw has been a huge factor in the Spurs making back-to-back Finals appearances and in them now having a 3-1 lead in the series. He was injected into the starting line-up in Game 3 and was retained in the first five in Game 4, and that move was a huge reason for the excellent offensive execution that blew out the defending champions in consecutive games on their home floor.

#4 LeBron James

Questioning his legacy or greatness after Miami Heat lose the Finals is an insult to the talent LeBron James possesses. And the media scrutiny he most likely will go through makes one wonder what more he needs to do to prove himself, especially with the number and type of records he holds at the age of 29.

For James, this post-season is one that has been astonishingly similar to his days with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Whether or not his teammates have received adequate rests during the regular season, the onus has been on James to ensure a win in every game and barring a clutch plays by Chris Bosh in a couple of games, he has delivered.

Numbers wise (27.5 pts, 7.3 rebs, 3.8 asts) he is a clear favourite to be named the Finals MVP. But no matter what the averages, never has a player on the losing team been named the Finals MVP since Jerry West in 1969.

#3 Tony Parker

Despite battling a couple of injuries this post-season including a strained hamstring and a dodgy ankle, the engine of the San Antonio Spurs’ well-oiled machine Tony Parker leads his team in points per game with 17.5, and is second in assists.

Arguably their best player on the court, Parker has forced the Heat to put James on him on defense as their point guards Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole have struggled to keep him quiet, thus causing match-up problems and mis-matches for the Heat which the Spurs are too wily to not take advantage of.

The Spurs are a team that can click on any player’s penetration but the effect of Parker’s speed, quickness and ability to finish in the paint is under-rated and often times over looked.

#2 Tim Duncan

Duncan is prefectly capable of winning the award based on his numbers of 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds for this series. And at the age of 38 and probably in the last two years of his career, being named the Finals MVP would mean much more for Duncan than any other player from either team.

While Parker created match-up problems for the Heat, Duncan took advantage of the Heat’s biggest weakness – size. Fundamentally strong in the post all by himself but also having great teammates to kick the ball out to, Duncan has been huge on the boards and has been the only consistent Spurs player through all games.

En route to what could be his 4th Finals MVP award, Duncan broke the record for most minutes logged in the post-season, and also for most Playoff career double doubles. Although he hasn’t indicated any intentions of retiring, the award would certainly be a perfect cherry on the cake moment.

#1 Kawhi Leonard

There might be many arguments on this one but Leonard’s back-to-back monster performances in Games 3 and 4 not only punch his ticket but also put him as a front runner to be named the Finals MVP.

Struggling and battling foul trouble in Games 1 and 2, Leonard came roaring back with averages of 24.5 points, 9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals in the next two games at a shooting percentage of 68% from the field and 44% from beyond the arc. Just as the numbers suggest, it was on both ends of the floor that Leonard made an impact on the game.

He made James work for every point and then neutralized him by stepping up himself on the offensive end, knocking down shots at high efficiency. Yes, his Game 3 and 4 numbers are only slightly more than what we expected from him at the beginning of the series. But keeping in mind he is only 22 years of age, the manner in which he has bounced back speaks volumes of his maturity.