anon#9
Years ago
MVP??
The Most Valuable Player of the 2009/10 season was Corey "Homicide" Williams but with Williams probably out of contention for the award this year, who are the favourites??
To me there are there are 5 players who are in the running to win the Andrew Gaze trophy this year. These players would be Kirk Penney (NZL), Gary Ervin (WOL), Mark Worthington (GCB), Julian Khazzouh (SYD) and Adam Ballinger (ADL).
Kirk Penney after missing the first six games through trialing and hoping to be offered and NBA contract has returned this season with outstanding numbers averaging 19ppg 3.8rpg 2.2apg and shooting the ball at an impressive 40.7% from the field while leading the Breakers to a league-leading 15-3 record.With these numbers and also being an integral part of a table topping side he has to be favourite for the award.
Gary Ervin started the season with a burst, leading the Wollongong Hawks to the top of the ladder and averaging well over 20ppg (#1 in the NBL. However after injuring himself and the Hawks experiencing a shortened lineup due to injuries to other major players such as Glen Saville, Ervins form has dropped off ever slightly. Although the Hawks point guard still has outstanding numbers of 21.9ppg 3.3rpg 4.3apg and with a FG percentage of 43.4% the American will definately one of the top vote getters.
After returning home to Australia after one season with German ball club Brose Baskets Bamberg and signing with the Blaze, the combo-forward is having one of his best seasons as the veteran and star of the Gold Coast team. The 2008-09 NBL Champion has averages of 16.9ppg 7.1rpg 1.6apg and shooting the ball at 45.3% the former graduate from Metro State is surely among the competitions elite.
Julian Khazzouh, although experiencing a haunting NBL season with the Sydney Spirit a couple of years ago the big man returned the anchor the return of the Sydney Kings this season. The 6'10" centre has had an outstanding season so far as probably the only good thing to come out of the King's first season back. Averaging career best stats of 16.8ppg 10.2rpg 1.9apg and shooting at a prominent 52.2% this King has announced himself as one of the best players in Australia.
The Ginger Ninja from Adelaide, Adam Ballinger has continued his improvement in Adelaide after leaving the Hawks many years ago. Although Ballinger has never won the MVP award he has been in the conversation over the last few years and will surely be there again with the 36ers on a current win streak and aiming to scratch into the playoffs. The big red head has averaged consistent numbers of 15.5ppg 6.1rpg 0.7apg and shooting at a career high of 55.8%. Although the lowest numbers of the other four candidates Ballinger is an all round team man who exerts passion and intensity in one of the best basketball environments at the Dome and should definately be there abouts in the MVP talks.
Others thoughts??
