Olivia Miles for MVP?

Listen, I know it’s early and the new look Lynx still have a key piece missing but please allow me to indulge this fantasy. 

Here’s my too early too bold prediction:

Rookie point guard Olivia Miles will receive significant MVP votes if the Lynx continue either be atop or near the top of the standings for season.

Calm down. I didn’t say she’d win; I said she’d receive votes. 

Yes, I know that the award usually goes to a veteran forward or center and rarely to a rookie or guard. And never to one that is both.

An argument against awarding Lynx forward Naphessa “Phee” Collier MVP last year was that the team continued to do well in her absence. Yes, she is the best player on her team but is she the “most valuable”? 

One can argue that Rookie of the Month for May Olivia Miles is the most valuable player on the new look Lynx. Could the Lynx win without Liv? Hope we never know the answer. But what we do know is that the elite PG1, a pass-first point guard with exceptional court vision, has proven herself invaluable to pick and roll partner veteran big Natasha Howard, Lynx vet and mid-range master Courtney Williams and 3-and-D forward Nia Coffey — all of whom are having breakout seasons.

So, I said all that to say, there could be a strong case to be made for Liv getting MVP votes in her rookie year — even as a point guard. As for winning MVP, the chance of it happening is highly unlikely. 

But if she did win…

Are you willing to indulge my delusion?  Comment below.