Mavs MVP at the 5% Mark (sans Luka)

[DanSchwartzgan]

Alrighty then. We're at the not very important 5% mark of the season. This is how I see the non-Luka MVP race for the Mavs:

1. Grant Williams
2. Dereck Lively 
3. Timmy 
4. Derrick Jones Jr. 

I think it has to be Lively.

1.  The numbers say so.  His on-court time is just dominant.  
2.  He’s arguably been at his best when the team has needed it the most.
3.  He makes the rest of the O work.  You have to account for him, but you can’t leave any of GWill, Josh, Kyrie, Timmy (and apparently DJJ too).  
4.  There are guys who can fill in for the other guys on your list.  There isn’t a replacement for all that Lively does.  It makes him…what’s the word…Valuable.
5.  The D numbers when he’s playing are really good
6.  It was unexpected (as was a 4-0 start)

Kyrie hasn’t played enough.  Josh hasn’t played well enough (though his time on the court has been very positive).  Tim has been great, but he could be back-filled by someone else.  I’d put Grant at #2 mainly because of D and that incredible ‘season-long’ shooting percentage through this critical juncture in the year.