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Hardwood Paroxysm: NBA Preseason Roundtable Over Everything

By HP Basketball Network

Sep 26, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks to reporters during media day at Spurs Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks to reporters during media day at Spurs Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) during media day at the team practice facility in El Segundo. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) during media day at the team practice facility in El Segundo. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Nick Young’s MVP campaign may have been derailed by a torn thumb ligament that will have him out 6-8 weeks, likely causing him to miss the beginning of the season. Who steps into that void, challenging LeBron James and Kevin Durant for MVP this season?

Wray: Now, I’m not saying this is likely to happen, but I’m saying it would be the most fun if Chris Bosh jumped into the proverbial “conversation” now that he is soloist instead of third fiddle.

Bennett: You won’t need to look far. Kobe Bryant must now step into Nick Young’s role. Bryant, now, must lead the Los Angeles Lakers to the playoffs.

McElroy: Anthony Davis, who will be almost unanimously viewed as a top-5 player by the end of the season.

Leroux: Chris Paul. A guy who should already have an MVP award on his shelf and happens to be the best player on a team that should contend for the best record in the NBA after shedding the Owner-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Clinchy: Linsanity Part II: The Linaissance. Or, you know, a more reasonable guess like Blake Griffin.

Dubin: Shane Larkin.

Maloney: Anthony Davis. He’s going to be sooooo much fun this year. It’s such a shame the Pelicans only have 10 national TV games this year. (And eight of those are on NBA TV, smh.)

Dowsett: My head says AD. My heart? I’m offended you even had to ask: Alec Burks.

Conlin: Well, it won’t be Russell Westbrook and it won’t be anyone from the Sixers. After that, your guess is as good as mine. My favorite super-funky dark horse candidate? John Wall.

Partnow: As much as I want to say Davis, the Pellies won’t be good enough to really get him in the conversation. Much more likely to be Derrick Rose because of narratives or Steph Curry because of Steph Curry-ing.

McPherson: Michael Beasley. We’re talking about the Chinese Basketball Association, right?

Fenrich: Pretty obvious that the narrative of Carmelo Anthony embracing the triangle in New York will be too tantalizing for MVP voters to deny. You’ve got the power of Zen, the transferability of the triangle, Phil Jackson’s presence, and of course 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists a night from peak level Melo.

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