New Orleans Hornets 2012 MVP
As the 2012 NBA regular season winds down, it's time for New Orleans Hornets fans to begin to look back on the most tumultuous season in franchise history. Despite the injuries, roster turnover and the fiasco of David Stern's ownership, a number of Hornets players have had great seasons in 2012. Take a closer look at the top five leading candidates for New Orleans Hornets 2012 MVP.
5. Gustavo Ayon
Gustavo Ayon is the most pleasant surprise among the 2012 Hornets players. As a rookie, Ayon showed remarkable skills down low and quickly became a starter in New Orleans. Not surprisingly, the Hornets picked up the 2012-13 option on Ayon's contract. The Hornets' 2012 MVP candidate has averaged 6.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
4. Jason Smith
Had he not missed significant time with a concussion, Jason Smith would rank a lot higher among New Orleans 2012 MVP candidates. Smith is extremely athletic and if he could bulk up a bit, he'd be one of the better big men in the NBA. In the 2012 NBA season, Jason Smith has averaged 10.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
3. Greivis Vasquez
When Jarrett Jack was elevated to the starting point guard position following the Chris Paul trade, New Orleans needed a backup floor general. Greivis Vasquez has filled that role magnificently for the Hornets in addition to being a quality shooting guard in 2012. The MVP candidate has averaged 8.7 points and 5.2 assists per game.
2. Chris Kaman
If my boss told me to stay home while he tried to terminate me, I don't know how motivated I'd be when I returned. However, Chris Kaman has been outstanding since his return to New Orleans. With 13.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, Kaman's professionalism in 2012 makes him a strong Hornets' MVP candidate.
1. Jarrett Jack
I always lead towards point guards as being the most valuable of NBA players. Despite his late-season injury, Jarrett Jack has clearly been the MVP of the Hornets in 2012. Jack's strong leadership and quality play exemplify an NBA MVP player. In 2012, Jarrett Jack has averaged 15.6 points and 6.3 assists for New Orleans.
Honorable mention New Orleans Hornets 2012 MVP candidates
Trevor Ariza, Marco Belinelli, Xavier Henry, Carl Landry
Patrick Michael was born in New Orleans and currently resides in the Big Easy. A loyal New Orleans NBA fan, Patrick was a diehard New Orleans Jazz fan and now cheers for the Hornets. Patrick was in the New Orleans Arena the night the Hornets were one win away from the Western Conference Finals.
Source
"2011-12 New Orleans Hornets Roster and Statistics," basketball-reference.com
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