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Lakers begin MVP campaign for Kobe

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:23 pm
by pooteeweet
The top spot in the Western Conference might not be the only thing decided in the final regular-season games. Some voters might simply select Kobe Bryant or New Orleans guard Chris Paul as the league's most valuable player based on which team finishes better in the West, Los Angeles Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

"I think winning the West is probably going to be the most important thing as far as that goes. It's going to have a big influence," said Jackson, who has reiterated his support for Bryant numerous times over the last few weeks. But Jackson acknowledged that Paul was also playing at a high level: "I think that Chris has certainly vaulted into that position where he seriously has to be considered."

The Lakers usually let the fortunes of their players rest on their own achievements, but the team took the added step of sending out pro-Bryant material to NBA writers around the league. The material was based on an old-style political election campaign and consisted of bumper stickers, campaign buttons, red suspenders and a letter from "campaign manager" Jerry Buss, who urged writers to vote for Bryant according to the Los Angeles Times.

Source: Los Angeles Times


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post ... =nba,76181

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:35 pm
by Danny Darko
not a fan of campaigns and I think it was a mistake. Schilling for votes seems lame to me.

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 5:39 pm
by hermes
will any of the writers be influenced by campaigns?
i don't see what the big deal is

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:19 pm
by LLcoleJ
Well, this is a response to other campaigns in the league. I believe CP3 has one. I wouldnt be surprised if LBJ has one too.

On another end of the season award.. The Hawks are pimping Al Horford.

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:33 pm
by magic1fan
Corvus Crow wrote:not a fan of campaigns and I think it was a mistake. Schilling for votes seems lame to me.



don't like it,but understand it. cp3's people havingbeen doing this for a while now. his campaign started a few weeks back i think.

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:37 pm
by Kreuk
the lakers endorsing bryant is much different than the hawks endorsing horford or the hornets endorsing chris paul...

this is more of an "im sorry/ we're cool" move than it is a move to endorse him for MVP... we're talking about an owner endorsing a player who just months ago came out on national tv and said he'd accommodate bryant's trade request... there was a lot of bad blood and harsh words shared in the media...

buss is just coming out to support his franchise player... kobe thought the trust was broken... maybe it was, but buss is trying to repair the relationship and he took a big step with this move.

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:40 pm
by Blackfyre
I hate all those campaigns. Since all others are doing this then why not.

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:41 pm
by crazyeights
^Agreed (with Kobot). This is more than just about Kobe winning MVP.

I'm not so worried if he wins or not. Either way, I think Kobe will turn it into a positive. Either he'll have that fire to burn CP3 in the playoffs or he'll play freed because he was finally given due credit.

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:56 pm
by chefy
I dont like this idea, but what the hell everyone is doing it now so why not?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:08 pm
by LLcoleJ
Kobot wrote:the lakers endorsing bryant is much different than the hawks endorsing horford or the hornets endorsing chris paul...

this is more of an "im sorry/ we're cool" move than it is a move to endorse him for MVP... we're talking about an owner endorsing a player who just months ago came out on national tv and said he'd accommodate bryant's trade request... there was a lot of bad blood and harsh words shared in the media...

buss is just coming out to support his franchise player... kobe thought the trust was broken... maybe it was, but buss is trying to repair the relationship and he took a big step with this move.


So this is your best guess as to why?

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:08 pm
by Kreuk
Phil_2.0 wrote:So this is your best guess as to why?


where was the MVP campaign last season? the historic season we likely won't see from another player for a decade or more... or the season before it? you know, when Kobe took a team of D-league players to the playoffs and almost upset the no. 1 seed...

yes, this season it's because of what he's done for the lakers, ironically when he's had the best team around him... but moreso it's buss giving kobe a vote of confidence... I'd say 40% because of what Kobe's done, 60% because of buss trying to repair the relationship...

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:14 pm
by Chubby Chaser
I agree 100% with Kobot. This move by buss is more of an olive branch on his part to Kobe for everything that went on in the past. It's similar to when a Coach picks up a Tech for his players to show them that he "has their back." Buss is just publicly showing Camp Kobe that he has his support. Remember Kobe can still opt out after next year. (He'd be an idiot to do so, but we never know when Kobe Diva rears her ugly head).

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:05 pm
by Danny Darko
yeah, I buy that.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:11 am
by Slava
This has "Kobe please re-sign! after next season" written all over it.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:30 am
by pooteeweet
The question that begs asking is how do I get my hands on "Kobe 4 MVP" bumper stickers, buttons, and suspenders.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:37 am
by Slava
^^NBA store has Kobe Bryant 4 MVP Tees on sale for like 19 bucks IIRC.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:06 am
by semi-sentient
I think it's a good move by the organization.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:22 am
by milesfides
I'm a little surprised they didn't before, actually. I thought all teams lobbied for their players.

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:37 am
by timebandit
All I no is Lakers need to win Fridays game against the Hornets! They will gain 1 full game if they do so. Then beat the Sperms on sunday, and last but not least sucktown on Tuesday for the final game bam!!! MVP KOBE!!! Thats it. :clap: