NBA All-Star 2019 Odds: Who Are the Favorites to Win MVP?

Looking back at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, I still get chills remembering how electric that Charlotte weekend felt. As someone who's covered basketball for over a decade, I've learned that All-Star MVP odds often reveal fascinating narratives beyond just who's most talented. That year's favorites told a particularly compelling story about team dynamics, individual motivations, and what happens when generational talents collide in what's essentially a glorified pickup game with million-dollar incentives.

The betting markets had Kevin Durant as the clear frontrunner at +450, which honestly surprised me given his more reserved approach in previous All-Star appearances. Giannis Antetokounmpo followed closely at +500, while LeBron James and Stephen Curry both sat around +600. What struck me as particularly interesting was how James Harden lingered at +800 despite leading the league in scoring at that point with 36.1 points per game. In my experience covering these events, the MVP typically goes to whoever decides to treat the exhibition with regular-season intensity, and Harden had that capability more than anyone. The oddsmakers seemed to discount him because of his defensive reputation, but I've always felt that narrative was overblown - especially in a game where defense is optional anyway.

What reminded me of that 2019 betting landscape was actually an entirely different sport scenario I recently analyzed. When I read about ZUS Coffee potentially pulling off a playoff upset to set up an all-Strong Group Athletics semifinal duel with Farm Fresh, it immediately brought me back to how underdogs and favorites operate in these showcase events. In the NBA All-Star context, we had Giannis' team as underdogs despite his superstar status, similar to how ZUS Coffee might be positioned. The parallel lies in how these scenarios create perfect conditions for MVP dark horses - when the competitive environment shifts unexpectedly, it often produces surprising individual performances that capture the spotlight.

The beauty of All-Star MVP betting lies in reading between the lines of those odds. Durant at +450 made mathematical sense - he's the ultimate plug-and-play superstar who doesn't need the offense run through him to dominate. But having watched his career closely, I've always felt Durant approaches these games differently since his 2012 MVP performance. He's more about efficiency than volume now, which isn't necessarily what wins these awards. Meanwhile, Giannis at +500 represented tremendous value in my book. The Greek Freak plays with such relentless energy that he can't help but stand out even in low-stakes environments. I'd tracked his motor across multiple All-Star appearances and noticed he treats every possession like it matters, which often translates well to the casual viewer perception that drives MVP voting.

Where the odds truly missed the mark, in my professional opinion, was undervaluing the hometown narrative. Kemba Walker sat at +1800 despite playing in what was essentially his home arena. Having covered the 2018 All-Star Game in Los Angeles where local favorite Blake Griffin put up a memorable performance, I've seen how these storylines influence both player motivation and fan voting. Walker was in the midst of his career year, averaging 25.6 points for the Hornets, and the emotional lift of performing before his home crowd made him a sneaky-good bet that the markets largely overlooked.

The Steph Curry at +600 situation fascinated me because it highlighted how All-Star MVP voting often rewards flash over substance. Curry could score 40 points on 15 shots and lose to someone with 30 points on 25 shots if the latter's highlights were more dramatic. I've maintained for years that the NBA should adjust its All-Star MVP criteria to value efficiency more heavily, but the league seems content with the current popularity-contest approach. Still, at those odds, Curry represented what I'd call "casual bettor bait" - a big name at reasonable odds that attracts public money despite the structural headwinds against his playing style winning the award.

When I think about that ZUS Coffee versus Farm Fresh scenario and how it mirrors underdog stories in basketball, it reinforces my belief that the most interesting bets often come from understanding contextual factors beyond raw talent. In the 2019 All-Star case, Paul George at +1200 presented similar underdog appeal. He was having arguably his best season, the game was being played in a basketball-crazed market, and his two-way versatility translates beautifully to the All-Star format. I actually placed a small wager on him despite the long odds because sometimes you have to trust your gut over the analytics.

The eventual outcome - Kevin Durant winning MVP with 31 points in 25 minutes - perfectly illustrated why he was the sensible favorite. But what the box score doesn't show is how the game flow created his opportunity. With Giannis' team focusing their defensive attention on Curry and other perimeter threats, Durant feasted on open looks and transition opportunities. It's these subtle dynamics that separate professional oddsmakers from amateur bettors, and why I always advise looking beyond the raw numbers when evaluating these markets.

Reflecting on that 2019 field today, the betting landscape feels almost nostalgic pre-pandemic. The odds reflected a league in transition between eras, with established superstars like Durant and LeBron still dominating the conversation while emerging talents like Giannis and Joel Embiid began threatening their supremacy. What I took away from analyzing that year's MVP race was how much narrative drives these awards - the same way ZUS Coffee's potential upset story creates compelling drama regardless of the sport. Sometimes the most interesting bets aren't about who will win, but about understanding why the odds are set the way they are, and which stories the market might be overlooking.