Dwight Howard 2008-09 MVP Predictions

Written January 27, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Dwight Howard

We are right in the middle of another exciting NBA season, and we figured it was a great time to start thinking about who are the top candidates for the 2008-09 MVP award. Not only does a player have to put together an outstanding season, but the success of his team is almost just as important. Unlike the years past, the Eastern conference holds 3 of the top 5 records in the NBA, and the surprise team of the season has to be the Orlando Magic, who at 33-10 sit just a game and a half behind the Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. A big reason for the Magics success is the outstanding play of Dwight Howard, who has easily become the most dominant big man in the game today. Howard has the Magic securely in front in a pretty strong Southeast division, as they are 6.5 up on the Atlanta Hawks and 9.5 games ahead of the Miami Heat. With the Magic right in the thick of things, Howard has risen to the top of the MVP front runners with LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Dwayne Wade. Here is a look at just what the big man has done so far this season, and my thoughts on if he can actually win the award this season.

Dwight Howard +550 odds to Win NBA MVP Award at Sportsbook.com

This is Howard’s 4th season in the league, but it really wasn’t until last year that this guy started really causing problems for opposing teams. Howard is gearing up for his 3 straight All-Star appearance, and was named to the All-NBA First team for the first time last season. Howard is a double-double machine, as he is currently averaging 20.2 points and 14.1 rebounds a game. Howard leads the league with 33 double-doubles this season, and its not just scoring and rebounding that this guy does. Howard is the leagues leading shot blocker at 3.2 blocks a game, and netting nearly 57% of his shots. Howard has really went to work on the offensive glass this season, as he is averaging 4.5 offensive boards a game, a full rebound better than his previous career best. What is scary about this guy, is he is just 23 years old and is going to be around this league for a long time to come.

I think that Howard is going to win this award at some point in his career, but I am not sure that it will be this season. With the numbers some of these other guys are putting up, it’s not going to be easy for a big man to wow the voters his way. If the Magic can somehow rise to the top of the Eastern Conference by the end of the regular season, than you really have to think Howard has a real legit shot at winning the award.

Get the latest odds for the 2008-09 NBA regular season MVP for all the best players at Sportsbook.com.

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