It's time again... 2007/2008 MVP Candidates

[Axel]

I'll do a more in-depth write up later, but for now I'm going to make it short and sweet.

1. Chris Paul - Has elevated his scoring, and assists to help make the Hornets one of the best teams in the league. CP3 is at this point the most well-rounded point guard in the game. Averaging a league best in steals, second in assists, third in assist per turnover - averaging a double double with 20 + pts and 10+ assists.

2. Kobe Bryant - Just another stellar season for Kobe. Critics said he needed to be a better teammate, and that his team needed to perform better for Kobe to be a true MVP. Kobe has come through on all accounts. This season is statistically worse than last for Kobe, with his point, assists, FT%, and FG% all going down. However, he has been a more self-less player, and dominated the ball less, and it has produced the most important result - wins.

3. LeBron James - The Cavs have been on a hot streak ever since James returned to the line up. After a season in which he carried his team to the NBA Finals, Bron is once again shouldered with making a mediocre squad better. Lebron is averaging a career high in rebounding at 7.8, is dropping 7.2 apg, and is leading the league with 30.1 ppg.

... that's all I have for now.

[wade_03]

Well that's all the people who really deserve it, other than 4. Dwight Howard and 5. Kevin Garnett maybe, but your three are the top candidates.

[shadowgrin]

Even if the Hornets somehow get the best record in the West or even the league, why do I have the feeling that Chris Paul is going to get screwed and not awarded the MVP.

[Andrew]

Kobe Bryant

If he misses out on this award, it will have come down to another candidates' team having a better record than the Lakers. The last two years Kobe has proven himself a dominant scorer but this year he's demonstrated the ability to make things happen for his teammates while still being a dominant player who can take charge when needed. It seems like this will be his year.

Kevin Garnett

The knock against KG is that he's part of an impressive Big Three combination and he's playing in the East but the fact he's putting up around 19, 10 and 4 alongside two other great players on a team that's likely to finish with the league's best record (and has yet to be beaten by a Western opponent) still makes him a strong candidate.

LeBron James

The Cavs' record goes against him, especially since they're in the Eastern Conference but their 0-6 record without him earlier this season demonstrates his importance to the club; had those six games gone the other way, they'd have a 32-14 record which would place them second in the East and for comparison's sake, equal to the Hornets in the West. Even ignoring hypotheticals, LeBron's improved performance in the clutch and the fact that the Cavs have a winning record despite question marks over the rest of the team work in his favour.

Chris Paul

Impressive stats on one of the top teams in the tougher conference definitely place Paul amongst the leading candidates but I think he might lose out to one of the previous three players (particularly LeBron or Kobe) by virtue of having a teammate recognised as an All-Star and those guys already having "waited their turn". Hardly fair because he's been spectacular, but there's only one MVP award and I think Paul will end up being snubbed.

Dwight Howard

Howard's established himself as a beast, his team's third in the East and he's a big part of that but I think he'll miss out on getting the MVP nod based on the "leadership" factor. LeBron is getting it done without the help other star players are enjoying, Kobe retooled his game silencing at least a good portion of his critics and as always there's stories of KG being a motivator in the lockerroom in addition to his fine play on the court. Those three players are stronger candidates on their own merits moreso than Howard not being worthy.

[Fitzy]

kobe would have alot better chance then other years with the team and the record the lakers now have

[Mikki]

kobe would have alot better chance then other years with the team and the record the lakers now have

I'd have to disagree on that. Since the Lakers acquired an all-star calibre player, the odds of Kobe being "valuable" became less.

[Elbeen]

kobe would have alot better chance then other years with the team and the record the lakers now have

I'd have to disagree on that. Since the Lakers acquired an all-star calibre player, the odds of Kobe being "valuable" became less.

True enough, expect Kobe's numbers to back down a bit when Gasol starts playing for his squad and Bynum comes back from injury.

[Andrew]

The Gasol trade might hurt Kobe's chances a little but that doesn't change what he's done in the first half of the season. I should think he'll continue to show his importance to the Lakers' success even with Gasol on the team. If Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Bill Russell can be considered the league MVP in years past despite the great players they played alongside, Kobe can be the MVP with Gasol as his teammate.

[Fitzy]

i mean his chances would be better simply because his team record would be better then other seasons, which would have let him down in the past

[Lamrock]

i mean his chances would be better simply because his team record would be better then other seasons, which would have let him down in the past

Seconded. I think it will be like how when Dirk won; hopefully minus the first round upset that led to a lukewarm acceptance press conference.

[mvpshaq32]

Chris Paul

Impressive stats on one of the top teams in the tougher conference definitely place Paul amongst the leading candidates but I think he might lose out to one of the previous three players (particularly LeBron or Kobe) by virtue of having a teammate recognised as an All-Star and those guys already having "waited their turn". Hardly fair because he's been spectacular, but there's only one MVP award and I think Paul will end up being snubbed.

Yea, Chris Paul is going to lose out on MVP to those who have waited their turn, especially Kobe. But even so, I think Kobe has outplayed everyone in the league this year and this is the season he finally gets the MVP. Nonetheless, I bet Chris Paul will pull off a Steve Nash and snag consecutive MVP awards.

[Axel]

The MVP isn't a lifetime achievement award. Chris Paul shouldn't have to wait a few years to get it. If he's the most valuable, then he should get the award.

Should, of course, is the operative word.

[Doobie]

I think its Chris Paul this year... His stats compared to Nash's two mvp years are pretty much matched up. Chris Paul has more points, rebounds, and steals. But Nash has better percentages. Assists are about the same. There impact to the team is about the same, and well I believe Chris Paul is playing on a whole other level right now.

[Fitzy]

and another thing that paul has, like nash, is a successful team, which would improve his chances immensely

[Patr1ck]

I think it's a toss up between Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, with their team records being the final decider. Chris Paul would be a close third, and Dwight Howard fourth.

Anything can happen in the second half of the season. The teams that go on a run after the break will see their top player in contention.

[Sauru]

i gotta give my vote to chris paul as of now. i think that kobe or lebron will win by way of being more popular and a bigger name, but paul deserves it right now

[Andrew]

The MVP isn't a lifetime achievement award. Chris Paul shouldn't have to wait a few years to get it. If he's the most valuable, then he should get the award.

Should, of course, is the operative word.

He certainly shouldn't have to wait if he's the most deserving and I could be way off on that one. However, it wouldn't surprise me if that line of thinking came into play when the votes are being cast.

[BIG GREEN]

Without LeBron this season the cavs are 0 - 8; even lost to the sonics when he was out last weekend. They are the worst team in the NBA without him and with him...the sky is the limit on who they can beat on any given night. His clutch is currently best in the league as well as his overall stats including a vastley improved defense (ask poor kobe).

So let's see....value to team? more essential to his team than any other player is to theirs. Stats?..the best. MVP award?...he gets it with paul and kobe a close second due to their team's winning %. However, the MVP award ONLY going to the best player on the best team is shitty idea...that's why we're having to add steve nash to the short list which includes Jordan and Russel when he doesn't deserve it. Kobe should've won it the year he scored 81 when he WAS the best in the league.

[benji]

this year he's demonstrated the ability to make things happen for his teammates

Has he? Is Kobe Bryant really the cause of young players improving as they age? (And if this doesn't mean Bynum, Farmar, Ariza, Vujacic, etc.'s improvements...then was the other explanation ever in doubt? No.)

We have to come to an agreement on how to measure the MVP first before we start debating who is it.

Is it the best player on the team with the best record? Then it's Kevin Garnett.

Is it the player "most better" than his teammates? Is it the player who if replaced by a "standard replacement player", his team suffers the most? Does his team have to be a winning team? Does the team have to be above .600?

[Sauru]

somethings i feel, and i am sure many will disagree but, imo to be mvp you must


1. have homecourt in first round of playoffs
2. be the best player on your team
3.have the stats to back up a mvp nomination

other things i look for include

1. how is the team without you on it
2. how much has your team improved vs previous season and current season expectations
3.do you help others play better or are you a stat whore?

just a few things off the top of my head when i think who deserves to be mvp

[dada]

I honestly dont expect any significant drop in form for Kobe once Gasol joins the squad. I mean this is Kobe, he'll get his shots. If anything I'd say he will finish the season at around 28 ppg but I expect a slight increase in assists as well due to having a competent big whose name isnt Kwame who'll get himself in position's to help the team. Itll be business as usual I feel.

If anything I'd be more concerned for Lamar because he kinda drifts in and outta games alot and knowing that Pau will take the offensive initiative when the opportunity presents itself I think Lamar will have to make an extra effort to find his spots to pick up some easy baskets and improve on his level of play.

So yeah, Kobe for MVP in my book.

[Andrew]

Has he? Is Kobe Bryant really the cause of young players improving as they age? (And if this doesn't mean Bynum, Farmar, Ariza, Vujacic, etc.'s improvements...then was the other explanation ever in doubt? No.)

He certainly isn't responsible for their individual improvement but the way he's playing this year grants them a greater opportunity and facilitates their growth as players. I could have worded it better.

[dada]

I'd agree Andrew, more so as of late. He's picking his spots alot better to attack in comparison to his first couple post-Shaq seasons and he's improved in his timing when to give the ball up. I've seen Sasha, Jordan and just about everyone get wide open shots on assists from Kobe or with Kobe making the pass that leads to the pass that leads to the bucket. Alot of Bynum's most memorable dunks have came from lobs off Kobe's hand. I think the way the triangle is run in LA doesnt allow any singular to player to just rack up assists as its distributed a bit through all the players so Kobes contribution doesnt stand out statistically as it should be. To Kobe's credit as well I remember seeing an interview recently with Sasha where he gave Kobe alot of praise in helping him reach the level he is at when he was being questioned about how well he has taken to the role of being Kobe's backup (or something along those lines).

Right now I honestly cant think of a time in Kobe's career where he has played any better than he has been playing this season. Yes there were seasons where he was statistically better, he jumped a little higher and he attacked the rim more frequently, but right now the variety in his game has no limits. Alot less forced shots and alot more of taking what the defence gives him. He's giving us spins, hooks, up and unders, fades, mid range pull ups, 3s, behind the back passes...etc etc etc. Its just been a joy to watch and his teammates have taken to him in a manner I have never seen before. Theres been ups and downs but the team in general has taken their knocks alot better and are ready to take that extra step with no reservations having Kobe lead the way.

edit: Also, I wouldnt have worded what you said any differently, I think the comment was more of a conscious misinterpretation.

[benji]

So yeah, Kobe for MVP in my book.

Nowhere did you explain why...other than being a Laker fan?

Notice how Sauru outlined his procedure for choosing a player.

but the way he's playing this year grants them a greater opportunity and facilitates their growth as players

Compared to what year? And how so?

Shooting worse, assisting less, and having more turnovers, while taking the same amount of shots as last year grants his teammates a greater opportunity and facilitates their growth?

The media may need simple narratives that let them filter everything through the few players per team they actually know exist, and therefore create baseless memes like "he's making his teammates better this year, when he didn't in the past" because they don't have a clue about anything. But that doesn't mean we have to play along and repeat these silly things.

Andrew Bynum is having a better season because he's shooting better, rebounding more and turning it over less, how exactly does Kobe's essentially unchanged play make him do these things? Could it be that...perhaps...he simply got better as most third year players do?

Could Kobe be possibly making everyone better, even the vendors at the Staples Center are pouring ketchup straighter? Yes. Is there any evidence that can be used to logically connected Kobe to all this improvement in Lakerland? Not that I have seen.

He's picking his spots alot better to attack... he's improved in his timing when to give the ball up. I've seen Sasha, Jordan and just about everyone get wide open shots on assists from Kobe or with Kobe making the pass that leads to the pass that leads to the bucket. Alot of Bynum's most memorable dunks have came from lobs off Kobe's hand. ...I remember seeing an interview recently with Sasha where he gave Kobe alot of praise in helping him reach the level he is at...the variety in his game has no limits...Its just been a joy to watch and his teammates have taken to him in a manner I have never seen before. ...the team in general has taken their knocks alot better and are ready to take that extra step with no reservations having Kobe lead the way.

That's great and all, but all anecdotal evidence and questionable. "[M]ost memorable dunks" not being worth greater value than boring dunks, for example.

[dada]

So yeah, Kobe for MVP in my book.

Nowhere did you explain why...other than being a Laker fan?

Notice how Sauru outlined his procedure for choosing a player.

Oh please, recycling whats said every year when the MVP argument comes up really doesnt deserve that much praise. Theres really no need for me to write an article about why I feel he should win it as I'm sure I'll just be repeating alto of whats already been said. I apologize if I didnt break it down how you like it.