MVP Watch 2008-2009

[That Nicka]

If the Lakers win a ridiculous amount of games (like 65+), but Kobe only averages like 24-25 points, do you guys think he still gets it?

[HarlemHeat37]

I'm gonna say 65+ wins on 25+ PPG will USUALLY get him it..it would probably take Lebron getting the #1 or #2 seed on huge numbers or Paul getting the #2 seed on huge numbers for the argument..if neither happens, I think Kobe gets it..

[Sedale Threatt]

If the Lakers win a ridiculous amount of games (like 65+), but Kobe only averages like 24-25 points, do you guys think he still gets it?

Possibly not. And he might not even average that many. Granted, it's only been two games. But with Jackson having stated he's going to manage Kobe's minutes as tightly as possible, and the depth this team has, his average could take a substantial hit.

Frankly, I couldn't care less. He got his MVP. It was cool. Now let's worry about bigger and better things.

[Ancalagon]

Dark horse pick- Deron Williams as the Jazz take the #1 seed in the West.

Seriously, though, if the season finished something like this ...

Lakers 59 wins
Hornets 58 wins
Jazz 58 wins
Rockets 57 wins

And Kobe, Gasol, Paul, Williams, Boozer, T-Mac, and Yao all have statistical seasons superior to last year? (is this really that unlikely?), a WESTERN CONFERENCE MVP will be difficult to choose.

Kobe 26ppg 5apg 4rpg
Gasol 23ppg 10rpg 4apg
Paul 22ppg 11apg
Williams 22ppg 11apg
Boozer 22ppg 11rpg
T-Mac 23ppg 5apg 4rpg
Yao 25ppg 10rpg

Is any of the above unreasonable? Not saying it will all happen, but those are all almost statistically identical.
That said, my money's strongly on LeBron James. I say the Cavs lock up 2nd in the West and he puts up numbers too insane to discount, as boring as the Cavs are.

[08HEMI]

Chris Bosh says hello

[G35]

If the Lakers win a ridiculous amount of games (like 65+), but Kobe only averages like 24-25 points, do you guys think he still gets it?

Possibly not. And he might not even average that many. Granted, it's only been two games. But with Jackson having stated he's going to manage Kobe's minutes as tightly as possible, and the depth this team has, his average could take a substantial hit.

Frankly, I couldn't care less. He got his MVP. It was cool. Now let's worry about bigger and better things.

Yeah, looking the Lakers first two games Kobe could easily avg under 20ppg if he didn't force his offense. The Lakers are so deep I could see 5-6 players avg'g over 12 ppg. But Kobe could see his reb, asst, stl numbers go up significantly.

I'm thinking Paul first cuz he and the Hornets look to be the same from last year. Lebron is up there #2 because he is Lebron but I worry that the Cavs haven't gotten any better and his teams record is going to overshadow his individual stats. Chris Bosh looked good but he has to sustain it over 25-30 games to get in the conversation.....

[RedCross]

i dunno how chris bosh isnt in any of your top 5..

[Hypz]

Antoine Walker is my protest vote because you guys are ignoring CB4.

[A.J.]

These were my top 5 picks coming into the season

1. Lebron James (Should have the best season of his career)
2. Kobe Bryant (Need I say more?)
3. Chris Paul
4. Yao Ming (Not a homer pick)
5. Kevin Garnett

[Hendrix]

I do think Bosh has a good chance to crack the top 10, maybe top 5 this year.

He was 7th in voting the year he had a 47 win team. I could see the Raptors winning more this year with J.O here, and putting up a top 5-10 PER with 23ppg, 9rpg, 3apg, 1bpg, 50%fg%, 85%fg%. type #'s.

[ChargerMan]

Duncan is gonna get a ton of looks this year

I look for him to average near a career high in points(~25 ppg) and come with his usual 9.8-11.1 rebounds

Timmy D for MVP

[Ming Kong!]

Dark horse pick- Deron Williams as the Jazz take the #1 seed in the West.

Seriously, though, if the season finished something like this ...

Lakers 59 wins
Hornets 58 wins
Jazz 58 wins
Rockets 57 wins

And Kobe, Gasol, Paul, Williams, Boozer, T-Mac, and Yao all have statistical seasons superior to last year? (is this really that unlikely?), a WESTERN CONFERENCE MVP will be difficult to choose.

Kobe 26ppg 5apg 4rpg
Gasol 23ppg 10rpg 4apg
Paul 22ppg 11apg
Williams 22ppg 11apg
Boozer 22ppg 11rpg
T-Mac 23ppg 5apg 4rpg
Yao 25ppg 10rpg

Is any of the above unreasonable? Not saying it will all happen, but those are all almost statistically identical.
That said, my money's strongly on LeBron James. I say the Cavs lock up 2nd in the West and he puts up numbers too insane to discount, as boring as the Cavs are.

I think between Williams and Paul one or both will have 12+ apg. Paul had 11.6apg last season, and Williams had 10.5.

I think if James has 50+ wins numbers near as good as last season that they have to give it to him. I don't think Kobe will get again with the team has now.