USA TODAY International Edition
Butler joins race for MVP
USA TODAY Sports’ top five candidates for the 2016- 17 NBA MVP award ( from Jan. 2 through Saturday).
5. Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls:
With the help of a 40- point, 11- rebound outing Dec. 28, a 52- point, 12- rebound game Jan. 2 and a 42- point, 10- rebound performance Saturday, Butler enters our MVP race for the first time, as he continues his ascent toward superstar status. The sixth- year swingman is averaging a career- high 25.6 points and 6.9 rebounds while shouldering the vast majority of the load for the Bulls.
4. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors:
Though his week was headlined by his questionable shot selection — and the interaction with Draymond Green that followed — during the final minute of regulation in the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, there’s no denying that Durant has been a force on both ends of the floor during his inaugural season in The Bay. The 10- year veteran is averaging 25.9 points, a career- high 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks and shooting 53.6% from the field.
3. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers:
James scored 30- plus points in back- to- back games for the first time all season, continuing his campaign for the fifth MVP award of his career. James is averaging 26.2 points, 8.3 assists, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals for the 28- 8 defending champions.
2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder:
Westbrook poured in 32 points along with 17 rebounds and 11 assists in a win against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday for his 17th triple- double of the year, one shy of his total from last season.
1. James Harden, Houston Rockets:
The Rockets have posted an NBAbest 19- 2 record since Dec. 1 and, with Harden at the helm, have been the most pleasant surprise in the NBA throughout the season. The Beard is averaging 28.2 points ( third in the NBA), 11.8 assists ( first) and 8.2 rebounds ( third among guards).