The MVP case for Kyle Korver

Kyle Korver, a forward for the Atlanta Hawks, isn't usually mentioned in the same breath with the likes of Lebron James, Kevin Durant and other "super-stars" -- but perhaps he should be. At least this year.

Korver's on a pace to do something that's never been done before in the history of the NBA -- by anybody. That takes in a lot of great players. Not only can he break a record -- he can shatter it.

Over the course of an entire season, no player has ever averaged over 40% field goal shooting, over 40% three-point shooting, and over 80% at the free throw line.

Almost two-thirds through the way of the current season, Korver's stats are as follows:

Field goal attempts. 51.2%
3-point attempts.  53%
Free throws.  93%

So not only is he far above the 40-40-80 mark that's never been reached, he could conceivably put up 50-50-90. That would be an incredible feat. Let's just say this guy has been putting on a ridiculous display of shooting this year.

But still, nary a whisper of Korver being a possible MVP candidate. Sure, he has a few things working against him. After all, he's a white guy in a predominantly black league and only a "6th" man at that. Plus he's a 13 year vet out of Creighton. Also, Korver's a low-profile kind of guy. You won't see him getting all animated on the court, or craving attention by mouthing off to the press. This doesn't make him a "sexy" topic with the people that hype such things as the MVP.

Further, his overall game stats this year aren't exactly eye-popping. Korver averages around 13 points a game, 4-5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Yet for the minutes he plays, those stats are very impressive.

Korver's never won anything? Neither has the above-mentioned Durant, or James Hardin of the Houston Rockets -- or Chris Paul of the LA Clips, and others mentioned as possible MVP candidates.

Not even being a starter should disqualify him from consideration? Not so fast. The precedent was set a long time ago. Consider Willie Hernandez, merely a relief pitcher for the 1984 Detroit Tigers. He won the MVP by turning in one clutch performance after another, even though he was rarely in the games for more than one or two innings. The Tigers would go on to win the World Series that year, but MVP balloting is supposed to take place before the post-season even starts. It's just kept secret until after a champion is crowned.

Whether or not the Atlanta Hawks will win the NBA title this year is certainly debatable, and likely doubtful. But so far they have surprised most. At the time of this writing, the Hawks sported a 43-11 record. They're a full 6 1/2 games ahead of the next best team in the entire Eastern Conference, narrowly trailing the equally surprising Golden State Warriors out in the West for the best record in the whole league.

So it's not like Korver is a ball hog throwing up a bazillion shots for an otherwise bad team. The Hawks are good -- really good.

And if Korver indeed finishes the season at 50-50-90, or anything even close to it, accomplishing something never done before in the history of the league -- how can he NOT be the MVP?