The NBA fans have recently discussed the topic of Cade Cunningham being crowned the MVP based off of just playing more games than everyone else. I wanted to discuss this topic, and look at all of the ins and outs of this rule, and show off that this is not true at all. Cade is a player that does deserve the MVP, and it is not hard to see that.
WHAT IS THE 65 GAME RULE:
The 65 game rule is a new rule implemented so that for players to qualify for awards they must play 65 games or higher. This rule came after multiple players won major awards while not playing 65 games or higher, and this rule has helped give players who play more games a chance to win awards and be celebrated for their play. This rule is a good thing for the game, and I like what it adds to the game. This season though multiple top players will be affected by this rule, which isn’t technically their fault. But I think the healthy players should be rewarded instead of letting players who don’t play a lot get the credit. This rule has been connected to when Joel Embiid won the award after not playing very many games, and I think it allows more consistent players to be rewarded for that, as well as forces players to play more games.
DOES CADE DESERVE THE AWARD:
Cade has been very elite this season and is showing the whole world, why he was drafted #1 in the draft. Cunningham has averaged 25.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 9.9 assists, this is a very impressive showing of stats, and has led to Detroit having a lot of success in this season. With Cunningham being this elite, I don’t see any reason. that he should not be an MVP candidate, and I think it is unfair to rule him out just cause his “stats” aren’t as flashy. The other argument is that the “only” reason that Cunningham is projected to win is because of the 65 game rule. But in my opinion the best ability is availability. I think it shouldn’t be an issue that a good player, who plays a lot of games, is up for an award like MVP. I have never seen this many fans complain or be against a good player like Cunningham being in contention for an award like MVP. I don’t understand why the award of Most Valuable Player of the year, shouldn’t go to a player of Cunningham’s prowess, as well as the person who has single handedly led to his team being so successful.
OVERALL THOUGHTS:
The rule is a good addition to the NBA, and I think overall could help players play more, as it gives them an incentive to actually play more games. This makes players have an incentive to play the game, and not sit out for “load management”. This happens a lot where players sit out for games, as they want to preserve themselves for the playoffs or games they view as more important. This rule is overall good, and if it leads to a player like Cade Cunningham who plays more games, and is a consistent player for a team like the Pistons, who overall without Cunningham would not be seeing the success that they are. This happens for many different reasons, and I think it is good to see, and I think to argue that a player like him doesn’t deserve an award like MVP, is as close to box score watching as possible. This is a very common trait for the NBA fans, but it sucks to see so many of them fall to this narrative, and not the pick of the truly Most Valuable Player in the NBA this year.
