OAKLAND, Calif — So you’re debating the NBA MVP? So is Nuggets interim coach Melvin Hunt.
So to speak, anyway.
He was asked his choice for the league’s top individual honor in a crowded field of hopefuls that includes Golden State’s Stephen Curry, Houston’s James Harden, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook and Cleveland’s LeBron James.
Hunt’s choice? He answered it with a twist.
“I wish the league had the most outstanding, and then the most valuable,” Hunt said. “Because sometimes the most valuable player comes from a team that may be lower in the standings. I think the most outstanding player is Steph Curry. What he’s done has been incredible. Now with that being said, if Steph’s not on this team, they’ve still got some guys behind him. So they’ve got players. But what Steph has done this year has been incredible. He is the most outstanding player.
“With that being said, you could almost park the trophy in Akron, Ohio, and just give it to LeBron every year, because he is an incredible player. James Harden? Wow. What he has done for his team, he’s probably the MVP of this season just because if you take him off that team, they’re a bunch of really good players, but I think he’s shown his value for that team. So, most outstanding and most valuable in my opinion.”
Sitting it out. Though each man had hoped to return to play again, the injuries to Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (calf) and guard Jameer Nelson (hip) were in fact season-ending ailments.
Arthur’s injury cost him the final 12 games of the season. Nelson’s put him on the shelf for the final five games. Meanwhile, Kenneth Faried and guard Randy Foye were held out of the season finale Wednesday night against Golden State.
