This year during the 2013 NBA playoffs we have witnessed the rise of a few unexpected MVPs and the fall of some of the regular players who have graced the Most Valuable Player discussion over the last two NBA seasons. NBA superstars Kevin Durant and Chris Paul have suffered early playoff exits, thus removing their names from the batch of players eligible for the coveted NBA playoffs MVP award. So who’s left? Which among the last men standing will carry their team to the promise land? Check out my list of the top NBA Playoff MVP’s of 2013.
6. Marc Gasol:
The most consistent big-man in the Western Conference, Marc Gasol proved himself to be the better and more tougher player between the Gasol brothers. He no longer stands in the shadow of his brother Pau Gasol and over the past three seasons he has transcended his game from a solid scorer and rebounder into a legitimate NBA All-Star. Marc Gasol is arguably one of the top-5 NBA centers in the league right now. How many players his size can pass, shoot, rebound, and score with the same efficiency?
5. Tony Parker :
I admit I’m not much of a Tony Parker fan, where I’m from we refer to players like him as “crumb snatchers.” If you’re not familiar with my terminology perhaps you should study basketball and street-ball a bit more thoroughly. Back to Tony Parker, what can I say, the kid can do it all. He’s a pure scorer and one of the best dribble penetration guards in the NBA. Without Parker, the Spurs would be a sub .500 team – he’s the best player on the Spurs and he has plenty of gas left in the tank.
4. Mike Conley:
Conley is one of the most underrated guards in the league, hes the driving force behind the Memphis Grizzlies playoff run and he is one of the better defending guards in the league. He’s one of the most consistent guards in the playoffs and one of the leading assists guards throughout the playoffs averaging more than 17 points per game and 7.8 assists per game.
3. Paul George:
The second most effective player for the Indiana Pacers. Seriously, where did this kid come from? Last season Paul George was practically a nobody, who would have thought he would be the most improved player in the league and an NBA All-Star after only two full NBA seasons. What;s more surprising to me is George’s defense – he has taken on the challenge of defending some of the top players in the playoffs and his hybrid type basketballs skills have rendered him an offensive nightmare from anywhere on the court.
2. Roy Hibbert:
Hibbert has been a problem man-child for every opposing team throughout the playoffs this year. If there is one person the scouting report failed to account for, it would be Roy Hilbert’s defensive and rebounding capabilities. Hibbert is the best true center playing in the NBA playoffs this year. The Knicks don’t have a clue how to defend him because he’s more than a traditional center – he can pull up for the mid-range shot or post-up deep in the paint. Hibbert fills a lot of space near the basket making it near impossible for the opposing player to penetrate for an easy basket.
1. Lebron James:
After witnessing Lebron James and the Miami Heat demolish the Chicago Bulls in two consecutive playoffs games this year I think its safe to say his playoffs MVP path is set. No playoff team has had the margin of victory close to what the Miami Heat have achieved this year. The Heat are 10-2 in the playoffs this year and if Lebron can lead his team to consecutive NBA titles he should be named the 2013 NBA Playoffs MVP for the second straight season.

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