MVP Power Poll 1

As Bill Simmons pointed out in his fantastic Book of Basketball, MVP really means three things, all rolled into one award. You can either vote for the "Best Player on the Best Team," the "Best Stats in the NBA" or the "Most Indispensable Player." Now that this season has a month under its belt, I think it's time to debut the B&B NBA MVP Power Poll (BBNBAMVPPP?)

Best Player on the Best Team:
1) Rajon Rondo.
The Celtics need him as much or more than any guy on that team. His beautiful passing has made their whole offense work this year, and that's why they're 7th in Offensive Efficiency (107 pts/100 poss). On the defensive end, Boston is playing the best ball in the Association, holding its opponents to 97 points per 100 possessions. Rondo's unshakable on-ball D and knack for jumping passing lanes is a big reason why. He gives every other PG fits - look at how bad he made Derrick Rose look while defending Chicago's prize player.

2) Dirk Nowitzki.
Yes, it's time we consider Dallas as a top 3 team. The Mavs have put together an absolute juggernaut now that all the small parts are finally learning to play with each other. Tyson Chandler's signing was a very shrewd one, because it freed up Dirk to guard softer forwards and centers. However, Dirk has returned to his 2006 dominance offensively, putting up a ridiculous true shooting percentage of 62.7%. He's draining everything that he releases and having another career year. It's amazing that Dirk can put these numbers up as an aging big man.

3) Manu Ginobili
Let's first admit that Timmy has lost a step or two. Normally Duncan has the "Best Player on the Best Team" also-ran category locked up year-to-year, but something doesn't seem right about him. His rebound rate, shooting percentage, blocks and other relevant stats have really plummeted to earth so far. To be clear, this nomination of Ginobili isn't so much for Ginobili as it is for me needing to find the best player on the third best team. Right now, it's not Timmy and it's not Rappin' Tony Parker... so that leaves Manu.

Best Stats Guy
1) Chris Paul
MONSTER year coming up if he can maintain these numbers. 16/10 is not going to tell the whole story. CP3 is shooting 48% from the field and 50% from 3 point range. He's efficient, and sporting a career high in steals, while near his career high in rebounds. He's having an even better year than he did in 2008, when King James took his MVP trophy. Currently the best season right now.

2) Russell Westbrook
See the PG power poll for more of my opinion of this guy. He's one of two guys currently averaging 20/5/5, and is doing it by averaging 23/8/5 (Better than Lebron's 23/7/5). He's making the NBA's most lethal scorer, Kevin Durant, differ to him on important plays. When you can get the best scorer in the NBA to look your way for clutch play, you've arrived.

3) Pau Gasol

Most Indispensable Player
1) Pau Gasol
20/11/4/2. 20 ppg, 11 rpg, 4apg, 2bpg. He fills every single deficiency on this Lakers team. His 54% mark from the floor has been a revelation of why he is the best big man in the NBA. Gasol scores with either hand, anywhere in the post, anytime during the game, against anyone. After the 2008 NBA Championship, he became mean and tough on defense and has shut down any post player on any given night. The Lakers are a 48 win team and a first round playoff exit without him.

2) Westbrook

3) Rondo

I hold by my declaration that Westbrook is the MVP so far. However, if the Lakers figure out what's wrong, or Rondo somehow keeps method acting as John Stockton, this piece of hardware is going to be very difficult for the AP to hand out this year.