If not producing is the benchmark for great play, where is Darius Miles in this conversation?
It's an airtight argument you've created for yourself: Kobe gets big stats and holy **** look at those stats! Kobe gets less impressive stats and holy **** look at how he's holding back and playing better by not getting those stats! I'm not that gullible though.
Kobe's having a fantastic season, easy top 10 this decade and probably higher. But Paul is having a better one. And your reasoning against it? Their statistics are a "wash" until you come to two things that Kobe has a slight lead in? I don't know about all that.
Furthermore, you never did respond to my post about different positions having different production standards out of them and my bringing up the 1999 AL MVP race. Swings that can score, defend, rebound and assist in this league are much more plentiful than PGs that can dish out insane amounts of assists while turning the ball over very infrequently, scoring at an above average clip on very efficient shooting, and lead the league in swipes while playing good 'normal' defense.
So even if you continue to contend that Kobe's season is better than Paul's and even if you continue still to contend that Paul's season versus PGs in the last decade or two isn't as good as Kobe's versus swings in the same time frame, you can't argue that Paul's VORP is just plain higher than Kobe's this season.
Kobe is not the best at everything, I'm sorry. He's not good enough to be considered the very best every year of his prime. He doesn't have that seperation. He's my pick for the MVP now but his season compared to Paul's is a con, not a pro.
MVP Watch 2008... Part 5
Moderators: bwgood77, zimpy27, infinite11285, Clav, Domejandro, ken6199, bisme37, Dirk, KingDavid, cupcakesnake
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ILikeTheGrizz
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eatyourchildren
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ILikeTheGrizz wrote:If not producing is the benchmark for great play, where is Darius Miles in this conversation?
It's an airtight argument you've created for yourself: Kobe gets big stats and holy **** look at those stats! Kobe gets less impressive stats and holy **** look at how he's holding back and playing better by not getting those stats! I'm not that gullible though.
Kobe's having a fantastic season, easy top 10 this decade and probably higher. But Paul is having a better one. And your reasoning against it? Their statistics are a "wash" until you come to two things that Kobe has a slight lead in? I don't know about all that.
Furthermore, you never did respond to my post about different positions having different production standards out of them and my bringing up the 1999 AL MVP race. Swings that can score, defend, rebound and assist in this league are much more plentiful than PGs that can dish out insane amounts of assists while turning the ball over very infrequently, scoring at an above average clip on very efficient shooting, and lead the league in swipes while playing good 'normal' defense.
So even if you continue to contend that Kobe's season is better than Paul's and even if you continue still to contend that Paul's season versus PGs in the last decade or two isn't as good as Kobe's versus swings in the same time frame, you can't argue that Paul's VORP is just plain higher than Kobe's this season.
Kobe is not the best at everything, I'm sorry. He's not good enough to be considered the very best every year of his prime. He doesn't have that seperation. He's my pick for the MVP now but his season compared to Paul's is a con, not a pro.
Did i post here last year or something where I said Look at Kobe's stats! the past few years? No, actually, I didn't start posting here until last month. I don't know where i've created this win-both-ways argument then.
But the fact remains, this is still regarded by many (Pop, Riles, PJax, Winter) as his best season even if its not his best statistical season. Why? You still haven't answered that basic question.
And this whole 'plentiful' argument isn't availing either. There's been a dearth of great PG's the past few years. So now you're arguing that rarity is what we're looking for in an MVP? Or that rarity is what makes CP a better player than Kobe? I'm not that gullible. CP has as much separation from his nearest PG competition as Kobe does from the next SG in line.
ugkfan2681" wrote: wrote: i dont take **** lightly im from the land of the trill home of the rockets RESPECT OK.
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G35
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The turn around that the Celtics have had can't be attributed to just KG. It shouldn't cause him to win the MVP because there is no precedent for that.
What were the previous biggest turn arounds?
1989-90 Spurs went from 21-61 to 56-26 35 games. Primary reason is because they drafted David Robinson (after he fulfilled his Navy commitment) and added Terry Cummings, drafted Sean Elliott, and brought in Maurice Cheeks. They added the ROY in DRob, Cummings was an All Star in 89 and some good role players.
1997-98 Spurs went from 20-62 to 56-26 36 games. Primary reason for the turnaround was drafting Tim Duncan, DRob came back from injury. That was pretty much it. But then when you have an MVP C and ROY PF that's all you need.
1979-80 Celtics went from 29-53 to 61-21 32 games. Biggest reason for the turn around was Larrry Bird was added. The team was pretty much the same from the previous season.
Current Celtics went from 24-58 to possibly 66-16 42 game improvement. They added Garnett All Star, Ray Allen All Star, Pierce came back from injury after only playing in 47 games. There are only 5 players from the previous season to the current season; Pierce, Perkins, Powe, Rondo, Tony Allen. That's 10 new players. The turn around wasn't unexpected. They made these moves to win a championship not just be a contender. Anything less would be considered a failure.
David Robinson, Tim Duncan nor Larry Bird won the MVP.
Larry finished 4th in the voting in 1979-80
DRob finished 6th in the voting in 1989-90
Duncan finished 5th in the voting in 1997-98
I really can't see how KG is the MVP unless the Celtics won 70 games. Especially after seeing how the Celtics won when KG was hurt, and Allen won them some games on some last second shots. It's a double edge sword, KG is now on a team with talent and is the probable favorite to win the title. But with all the talent it's hard to justify MVP imo. Having 3 all stars on your team and only one person is the MVP? Just like when Kobe and Shaq were winning titles; the downside was they split votes from each other. You can't have it both ways.......
What were the previous biggest turn arounds?
1989-90 Spurs went from 21-61 to 56-26 35 games. Primary reason is because they drafted David Robinson (after he fulfilled his Navy commitment) and added Terry Cummings, drafted Sean Elliott, and brought in Maurice Cheeks. They added the ROY in DRob, Cummings was an All Star in 89 and some good role players.
1997-98 Spurs went from 20-62 to 56-26 36 games. Primary reason for the turnaround was drafting Tim Duncan, DRob came back from injury. That was pretty much it. But then when you have an MVP C and ROY PF that's all you need.
1979-80 Celtics went from 29-53 to 61-21 32 games. Biggest reason for the turn around was Larrry Bird was added. The team was pretty much the same from the previous season.
Current Celtics went from 24-58 to possibly 66-16 42 game improvement. They added Garnett All Star, Ray Allen All Star, Pierce came back from injury after only playing in 47 games. There are only 5 players from the previous season to the current season; Pierce, Perkins, Powe, Rondo, Tony Allen. That's 10 new players. The turn around wasn't unexpected. They made these moves to win a championship not just be a contender. Anything less would be considered a failure.
David Robinson, Tim Duncan nor Larry Bird won the MVP.
Larry finished 4th in the voting in 1979-80
DRob finished 6th in the voting in 1989-90
Duncan finished 5th in the voting in 1997-98
I really can't see how KG is the MVP unless the Celtics won 70 games. Especially after seeing how the Celtics won when KG was hurt, and Allen won them some games on some last second shots. It's a double edge sword, KG is now on a team with talent and is the probable favorite to win the title. But with all the talent it's hard to justify MVP imo. Having 3 all stars on your team and only one person is the MVP? Just like when Kobe and Shaq were winning titles; the downside was they split votes from each other. You can't have it both ways.......
I'm so tired of the typical......
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JDawg
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JDawg has Kobe as MVP.....BUT prayign for another one in the next couple years wiht a HUGE record by the lakers as defending champs.
Its the only other way he'll get another one.
Otherwise, IT WILL BE FARCICAL to have ended his career wiht only one.
In that case NONE would have been BETTER. But for now, we can only live in the moment and that is Kobe this year.
Its the only other way he'll get another one.
Otherwise, IT WILL BE FARCICAL to have ended his career wiht only one.
In that case NONE would have been BETTER. But for now, we can only live in the moment and that is Kobe this year.
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shobe_81
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Updated MVP Realgm Picks:
Shobe_81: Kobe
Andrew Bynasty: Kobe
ILikeTheGrizz: Kobe (provided current standings of April 14)
Semi: Kobe
Tkb?
Doc?
NO-KG-AI?
KDRE?
EatOurChildren?
Blame Rasho: Kobe
Derekman: Kobe
magicfan4life05: Kobe Bean
JDawg: Kobe
BRINGTHEPAIN: Kevin Garnett
Kobay: PJ Brown with an *asterisk* hater...
Total so far:
Kobe: 8
KG: 1
Shobe_81: Kobe
Andrew Bynasty: Kobe
ILikeTheGrizz: Kobe (provided current standings of April 14)
Semi: Kobe
Tkb?
Doc?
NO-KG-AI?
KDRE?
EatOurChildren?
Blame Rasho: Kobe
Derekman: Kobe
magicfan4life05: Kobe Bean
JDawg: Kobe
BRINGTHEPAIN: Kevin Garnett
Kobay: PJ Brown with an *asterisk* hater...
Total so far:
Kobe: 8
KG: 1
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shobe_81
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Updated MVP Realgm Picks:
Shobe_81: Kobe
Andrew Bynasty: Kobe
ILikeTheGrizz: Kobe (provided current standings of April 14)
Semi: Kobe
Tkb?
Doc?
NO-KG-AI?
KDRE?
Blame Rasho: Kobe
Derekman: Kobe
magicfan4life05: Kobe Bean
JDawg: Kobe
BRINGTHEPAIN: Kevin Garnett
EatOurChildren: Smush Parker
Kobay: PJ Brown with an *asterisk* hater...
Total so far:
Kobe: 8
KG: 1
PJ Brown: 1
Smush Parker: 1
PJ and Smush are catching up
Shobe_81: Kobe
Andrew Bynasty: Kobe
ILikeTheGrizz: Kobe (provided current standings of April 14)
Semi: Kobe
Tkb?
Doc?
NO-KG-AI?
KDRE?
Blame Rasho: Kobe
Derekman: Kobe
magicfan4life05: Kobe Bean
JDawg: Kobe
BRINGTHEPAIN: Kevin Garnett
EatOurChildren: Smush Parker
Kobay: PJ Brown with an *asterisk* hater...
Total so far:
Kobe: 8
KG: 1
PJ Brown: 1
Smush Parker: 1
PJ and Smush are catching up
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Real Deal
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LOOK AND LISTEN: KOBE IS MVP
by "Real Deal" Brandon Neal
Near the end of last year, I was diagnosed with severe, proliferative diabetic retinopathy. By March, my doctor told me I was legally blind, and up until last week, my eyes were useless.
For over a month, I couldn't believe my ears.
While at least five or six teams were battling for the top spot in the Western Conference, one thing caught my attention quicker than Drew Gooden's goatee located on the back of his head: the undying hate for Kobe Bryant.
Two seasons ago, Steve Nash claimed his second MVP award. Bryant had his best statistical season at that time, averaging over 35 points per game, outscoring the Dallas Mavericks through three quarters, and scoring 81 points on the Toronto Raptors. Unfortunately, the Lakers fought through injuries and pulled away with 45 wins, enough to make the playoffs. John Stockton would be disappointed. He played a few seasons that matched, sometimes outmatched, Nash's two MVP seasons, yet Karl Malone snagged all the credit, while Amare Stoudemire was said to be a product of the unselfish Canadian.
Dominant scorer Kobe? Not good enough.
Last season, Bryant became everyone's favorite team player, changing his jersey number to signify the teammate in him -- the new Kobe -- all while leading the Lakers to another playoff berth with only 42 wins.
Teammate Kobe? Not good enough.
Many seem to forget that, years ago, Bryant was a stellar teammate, running the triangle offense and averaging a team-high in assists for all three dynasty seasons in Los Angeles, not to mention providing the team with a second option in himself, as well as clutch scoring and exceptional perimeter defense. Kobe's efforts fell short, though, as Shaquille O'Neal helped split votes in the MVP race, and winning one despite Kobe's presence.
Championship, facilitator Kobe? Not good enough.
This season, Kobe Bryant is, yet again, the primary scoring option. He's also running the offense, finding open teammates, just as he did eight years ago. Bryant is playing exceptional first-team perimeter defense. Instead of an average 45-win season, Kobe's Lakers are preparing for their 57th win of the season, top seed in the Western Conference. With a tear in his finger, an injured Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum, less than a third of a season with Pau Gasol, and no All-Star teammates to count on, Kobe Bryant has combined everything he has done in the last decade to make a run for the MVP award.
Perfect Kobe? Not good enough.
For reasons I have no explanation for, voters are standing for Chris Paul, who has David West (All-Star), Tyson Chandler (a very good center), and Peja Stojakovic (one of the best shooters in the NBA), is somehow dragging in more support than ever in the second half of the season. History tells us that, if this was Bryant, with these teammates, in 2001, he would see few votes for MVP.
LeBron James, who has been a dominating statistical monster this season, has no chance of winning 50 games. If this was Bryant, in 2006, the voters would put him in his place, at 3rd or 4th in the race.
Boston's superstar forward Kevin Garnett won his only MVP award when he was with Minnesota, logging a 58-win season, similar to Kobe and the Lakers this year.
In the last eight or nine years, Kobe Bryant has done everything there is to do for the Los Angeles Lakers. In the past three or four years, he has been the best player in the NBA. He may not be as complete as Michael Jordan, but he's as close as anyone can get to, arguably, the greatest player to ever grace the NBA.
Closest to Michael Jordan? Not good enough.
It's been quite a while since I've actually watched Kobe Bryant play, but quite frankly, I've heard enough. I couldn't help but wonder if these NBA analysts and commentators are suffering from the same disability I am at this time, because from what I've been hearing, all eyes are on Chris Paul.
This is Kobe's 12th NBA season, and zero times, he has been named the most valuable player, missing out on second place as well. Paul, LeBron and Garnett may be most valuable to their team, but in a pool of 450 players, the one with the highest league value, the man all general managers would pay the most to for one single season, the player that has deserved it for quite some time now, Kobe Bryant's reign as NBA most valuable player is long overdue.
Eyes on the prize, Kobe. We've both seen better days.
by "Real Deal" Brandon Neal
Near the end of last year, I was diagnosed with severe, proliferative diabetic retinopathy. By March, my doctor told me I was legally blind, and up until last week, my eyes were useless.
For over a month, I couldn't believe my ears.
While at least five or six teams were battling for the top spot in the Western Conference, one thing caught my attention quicker than Drew Gooden's goatee located on the back of his head: the undying hate for Kobe Bryant.
Two seasons ago, Steve Nash claimed his second MVP award. Bryant had his best statistical season at that time, averaging over 35 points per game, outscoring the Dallas Mavericks through three quarters, and scoring 81 points on the Toronto Raptors. Unfortunately, the Lakers fought through injuries and pulled away with 45 wins, enough to make the playoffs. John Stockton would be disappointed. He played a few seasons that matched, sometimes outmatched, Nash's two MVP seasons, yet Karl Malone snagged all the credit, while Amare Stoudemire was said to be a product of the unselfish Canadian.
Dominant scorer Kobe? Not good enough.
Last season, Bryant became everyone's favorite team player, changing his jersey number to signify the teammate in him -- the new Kobe -- all while leading the Lakers to another playoff berth with only 42 wins.
Teammate Kobe? Not good enough.
Many seem to forget that, years ago, Bryant was a stellar teammate, running the triangle offense and averaging a team-high in assists for all three dynasty seasons in Los Angeles, not to mention providing the team with a second option in himself, as well as clutch scoring and exceptional perimeter defense. Kobe's efforts fell short, though, as Shaquille O'Neal helped split votes in the MVP race, and winning one despite Kobe's presence.
Championship, facilitator Kobe? Not good enough.
This season, Kobe Bryant is, yet again, the primary scoring option. He's also running the offense, finding open teammates, just as he did eight years ago. Bryant is playing exceptional first-team perimeter defense. Instead of an average 45-win season, Kobe's Lakers are preparing for their 57th win of the season, top seed in the Western Conference. With a tear in his finger, an injured Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum, less than a third of a season with Pau Gasol, and no All-Star teammates to count on, Kobe Bryant has combined everything he has done in the last decade to make a run for the MVP award.
Perfect Kobe? Not good enough.
For reasons I have no explanation for, voters are standing for Chris Paul, who has David West (All-Star), Tyson Chandler (a very good center), and Peja Stojakovic (one of the best shooters in the NBA), is somehow dragging in more support than ever in the second half of the season. History tells us that, if this was Bryant, with these teammates, in 2001, he would see few votes for MVP.
LeBron James, who has been a dominating statistical monster this season, has no chance of winning 50 games. If this was Bryant, in 2006, the voters would put him in his place, at 3rd or 4th in the race.
Boston's superstar forward Kevin Garnett won his only MVP award when he was with Minnesota, logging a 58-win season, similar to Kobe and the Lakers this year.
In the last eight or nine years, Kobe Bryant has done everything there is to do for the Los Angeles Lakers. In the past three or four years, he has been the best player in the NBA. He may not be as complete as Michael Jordan, but he's as close as anyone can get to, arguably, the greatest player to ever grace the NBA.
Closest to Michael Jordan? Not good enough.
It's been quite a while since I've actually watched Kobe Bryant play, but quite frankly, I've heard enough. I couldn't help but wonder if these NBA analysts and commentators are suffering from the same disability I am at this time, because from what I've been hearing, all eyes are on Chris Paul.
This is Kobe's 12th NBA season, and zero times, he has been named the most valuable player, missing out on second place as well. Paul, LeBron and Garnett may be most valuable to their team, but in a pool of 450 players, the one with the highest league value, the man all general managers would pay the most to for one single season, the player that has deserved it for quite some time now, Kobe Bryant's reign as NBA most valuable player is long overdue.
Eyes on the prize, Kobe. We've both seen better days.
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RobertGlory
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let's get this out the way: i'm a hornets fan and homer.
the three main candidates (chris paul, kevin garnett, kobe bryant) all have flawless cases to win MVP
garnett has been the best player and biggest acquisition for the team in the history of the NBA with the biggest single season turnaround. he is the defensive intensity of the boston celtics, and the rest of the team feeds off of him.
bryant has been the best player on the soon-to-be #1 seed in the western conference. he has been a leader on and off the court, leading the lakers through a season of injuries far better than expected even though his production is down slightly.
paul has saved basketball in new orleans. his season statistically has been one of the greatest of all time by a point guard after adjusting for the slower pace of his team and today's game. he has led the hornets to be the main rival of the lakers for western supremacy, which is far more than anyone expected for the hornets.
(to be continued)
the three main candidates (chris paul, kevin garnett, kobe bryant) all have flawless cases to win MVP
garnett has been the best player and biggest acquisition for the team in the history of the NBA with the biggest single season turnaround. he is the defensive intensity of the boston celtics, and the rest of the team feeds off of him.
bryant has been the best player on the soon-to-be #1 seed in the western conference. he has been a leader on and off the court, leading the lakers through a season of injuries far better than expected even though his production is down slightly.
paul has saved basketball in new orleans. his season statistically has been one of the greatest of all time by a point guard after adjusting for the slower pace of his team and today's game. he has led the hornets to be the main rival of the lakers for western supremacy, which is far more than anyone expected for the hornets.
(to be continued)
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talkiewalkie
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I think people want Kobe to be scoring 35 ppg while being on a 50-60 win team for them to give recognition as the MVP.
Thing is, his team wouldn't be that great if they needed him to do that...
We'd be at the end of the season and Kobe would be out of gas...looking for an oxygen tank.
Kobe has done what people used to say he couldn't do: maximize the impact of his teammates.
Thing is, Chris Paul is doing that as well... granted he's had Chandler (Team USA) and David West (Allstar PF) and a revitalized Peja Stojakovic (former all star, top shooter in the league).
Lets just say for a second that the supporting casts are a wash (Paul with more all star talent, Kobe with more depth)....
Then you look at their contributions offensively...Paul is having a stellar season....Kobe is having a stellar season (although not his best)...
Both are doing what it takes for their teams to win....so you have to look at who does more overall.
Paul is a leader offensively. The ball is in his hands and where he goes is where the team goes...if he's off...its over...if he's on, they're golden...and more often than not, they've been golden this season. People talk about KG "changing the culture" in Boston.... Well Chris Paul IS the culture of the New Orleans Hornets... His name and the point guard position have become synonymous...however only to a certain degree. Defensively, he relies on the talents of his teammates. When it comes down to it, he hurts the team more than he helps it on the defensive end. While he leads the league in steals, his defense is on par with that of Steve Nash... when Paul's offensive game is off, his impact fades away... Nash got those MVP tropheys because he "changed the way the game was played" while fielding a winning team (in the regular season)...but looking back...in hindsight... he was given an award for his offensive talent...
AN MVP PLAYS BOTH WAYS...
Kobe is the leader of the team offensively...He (to a lesser extent than Paul) gets his teammates easy looks and makes sure they are getting their due on offense...and when the offense staggers, he carries it and closes games out with his unstoppable repertoire..Kobe also sets the tone defensively.. he is the middle linebacker...he directs traffic and dictates rotations...he communicates with the team continuously and they follow his lead on defense...not to mention he has the ability to make plays on both sides of the floor down the stretch...be it an offensive rebound when its sorely needed....a blocked shot in transition...a trap in the corner leading to an on-the-ball strip or turnover... a timely lob pass to a teammate on the break... a clutch shot from long-range to keep the game close or to take the lead...
Paul has filled his role (just as Steven Nash did in the offense that was set up for him to direct and dictate)...
Kobe has filled more than that... He's filled every role the team has needed him to fill in order to get the win... he's scored 50 when it was needed... he's passed for 12 assists when they were needed... he's gone for 15 rebounds when the front court was injured...blocked shots when stops were needed. To put it plainly and simply...he's sacrificed his output and molded himself to his team unlike any other player has this season....through uncertainty... through nagging injuries... through a litany of different lineups....adapting to different players....adapting to losing two of the top three defenders on the team...
He's taken an injury plagued team that faltered when the injuries came last season, and he's made it such that they haven't missed a beat in the most competitive conference race in recent league history....all after an off season clouded in uncertainty (his own doing) where they were predicted to either barely slip into the playoffs if AT ALL... and with his stone-cold will...weathered media criticism and ridicule ...and even booing by his home stadium fans...and he played the game of basketball as well as it can be played....as a teammate...and a leader.
And he's done it the whole season... not just the first or second half.. He's been nothing short of dominant for 81 games...with one more to go....
The three or four candidates all deserve to win this award. Its been a tight race and all have shown in their own way why they are valuable to their teams and to the league... Kobe has just been more all around. He has become what people REFUSED to believe he could become:
THE ULTIMATE TEAMMATE....
If that doesn't earn him an MVP, than he'll never earn it.
Thing is, his team wouldn't be that great if they needed him to do that...
We'd be at the end of the season and Kobe would be out of gas...looking for an oxygen tank.
Kobe has done what people used to say he couldn't do: maximize the impact of his teammates.
Thing is, Chris Paul is doing that as well... granted he's had Chandler (Team USA) and David West (Allstar PF) and a revitalized Peja Stojakovic (former all star, top shooter in the league).
Lets just say for a second that the supporting casts are a wash (Paul with more all star talent, Kobe with more depth)....
Then you look at their contributions offensively...Paul is having a stellar season....Kobe is having a stellar season (although not his best)...
Both are doing what it takes for their teams to win....so you have to look at who does more overall.
Paul is a leader offensively. The ball is in his hands and where he goes is where the team goes...if he's off...its over...if he's on, they're golden...and more often than not, they've been golden this season. People talk about KG "changing the culture" in Boston.... Well Chris Paul IS the culture of the New Orleans Hornets... His name and the point guard position have become synonymous...however only to a certain degree. Defensively, he relies on the talents of his teammates. When it comes down to it, he hurts the team more than he helps it on the defensive end. While he leads the league in steals, his defense is on par with that of Steve Nash... when Paul's offensive game is off, his impact fades away... Nash got those MVP tropheys because he "changed the way the game was played" while fielding a winning team (in the regular season)...but looking back...in hindsight... he was given an award for his offensive talent...
AN MVP PLAYS BOTH WAYS...
Kobe is the leader of the team offensively...He (to a lesser extent than Paul) gets his teammates easy looks and makes sure they are getting their due on offense...and when the offense staggers, he carries it and closes games out with his unstoppable repertoire..Kobe also sets the tone defensively.. he is the middle linebacker...he directs traffic and dictates rotations...he communicates with the team continuously and they follow his lead on defense...not to mention he has the ability to make plays on both sides of the floor down the stretch...be it an offensive rebound when its sorely needed....a blocked shot in transition...a trap in the corner leading to an on-the-ball strip or turnover... a timely lob pass to a teammate on the break... a clutch shot from long-range to keep the game close or to take the lead...
Paul has filled his role (just as Steven Nash did in the offense that was set up for him to direct and dictate)...
Kobe has filled more than that... He's filled every role the team has needed him to fill in order to get the win... he's scored 50 when it was needed... he's passed for 12 assists when they were needed... he's gone for 15 rebounds when the front court was injured...blocked shots when stops were needed. To put it plainly and simply...he's sacrificed his output and molded himself to his team unlike any other player has this season....through uncertainty... through nagging injuries... through a litany of different lineups....adapting to different players....adapting to losing two of the top three defenders on the team...
He's taken an injury plagued team that faltered when the injuries came last season, and he's made it such that they haven't missed a beat in the most competitive conference race in recent league history....all after an off season clouded in uncertainty (his own doing) where they were predicted to either barely slip into the playoffs if AT ALL... and with his stone-cold will...weathered media criticism and ridicule ...and even booing by his home stadium fans...and he played the game of basketball as well as it can be played....as a teammate...and a leader.
And he's done it the whole season... not just the first or second half.. He's been nothing short of dominant for 81 games...with one more to go....
The three or four candidates all deserve to win this award. Its been a tight race and all have shown in their own way why they are valuable to their teams and to the league... Kobe has just been more all around. He has become what people REFUSED to believe he could become:
THE ULTIMATE TEAMMATE....
If that doesn't earn him an MVP, than he'll never earn it.
JordansBulls wrote:The league was the strongest in the 90's.
MATT DAMON!!
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shobe_81
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BRINGTHEPAIN wrote:Paul has been shooting 40%fg his last 10 games, and New Orleans have still gone 6-4 which isn't too bad. He can basically be non-existent in terms of scoring and they still win as long as he runs the offense which he always does. He is very similar to Nash.
I do believe that is a Point guards JOB
Sometimes when you feathers are ruffled up, your teammates have to carry you and vice versa
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tkb
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- Location: Norway
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I'm voting for Kobe with Paul 2nd.
I'm actually doing a tally of a closed panel of 50 voters as we speak, so will be interesting to see how that turns out. So far, 29 ballots have been sent in and tallied and it's pretty tight at the top (voting is done same way as NBA does it with 10-7-5-3-1 points).
I'm actually doing a tally of a closed panel of 50 voters as we speak, so will be interesting to see how that turns out. So far, 29 ballots have been sent in and tallied and it's pretty tight at the top (voting is done same way as NBA does it with 10-7-5-3-1 points).
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shobe_81
- Inactive user
- Posts: 2,749
- And1: 0
- Joined: Nov 17, 2007
Here is what we have so far:
Updated MVP Realgm Picks:
Shobe_81: Kobe
Andrew Bynasty: Kobe
ILikeTheGrizz: Kobe (provided current standings of April 14)
Semi: Kobe
Tkb: Kobe
Blame Rasho: Kobe
Derekman: Kobe
magicfan4life05: Kobe Bean
JDawg: Kobe
Doc: Kobe
BRINGTHEPAIN: Kevin Garnett
NO-KG-AI?
KDRE?
Jokes:
EatOurChildren: Smush Parker
:Kobay: PJ Brown with an *asterisk* hater...
Total so far:
Kobe: 10
KG: 1
PJ Brown: 1
Smush Parker: 1
PJ and Smush are catching up
Updated MVP Realgm Picks:
Shobe_81: Kobe
Andrew Bynasty: Kobe
ILikeTheGrizz: Kobe (provided current standings of April 14)
Semi: Kobe
Tkb: Kobe
Blame Rasho: Kobe
Derekman: Kobe
magicfan4life05: Kobe Bean
JDawg: Kobe
Doc: Kobe
BRINGTHEPAIN: Kevin Garnett
NO-KG-AI?
KDRE?
Jokes:
EatOurChildren: Smush Parker
:Kobay: PJ Brown with an *asterisk* hater...
Total so far:
Kobe: 10
KG: 1
PJ Brown: 1
Smush Parker: 1
PJ and Smush are catching up
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RobertGlory
- Rookie
- Posts: 1,111
- And1: 4
- Joined: Jun 07, 2006
- Location: Chalmette, LA
- Contact:
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RobertGlory wrote:let's get this out the way: i'm a hornets fan and homer.
the three main candidates (chris paul, kevin garnett, kobe bryant) all have flawless cases to win MVP
garnett has been the best player and biggest acquisition for the team in the history of the NBA with the biggest single season turnaround. he is the defensive intensity of the boston celtics, and the rest of the team feeds off of him.
bryant has been the best player on the soon-to-be #1 seed in the western conference. he has been a leader on and off the court, leading the lakers through a season of injuries far better than expected even though his production is down slightly.
paul has saved basketball in new orleans. his season statistically has been one of the greatest of all time by a point guard after adjusting for the slower pace of his team and today's game. he has led the hornets to be the main rival of the lakers for western supremacy, which is far more than anyone expected for the hornets.
(to be continued)
my hornets fandom clouds this, therefore i am abstaining
(who am i kidding?????? put me down for CP3. if i was voting for kobe or KG i'd tell you why)
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shobe_81
- Inactive user
- Posts: 2,749
- And1: 0
- Joined: Nov 17, 2007
Here is what we have so far:
Updated MVP Realgm Picks:
Shobe_81: Kobe
Andrew Bynasty: Kobe
ILikeTheGrizz: Kobe (provided current standings of April 14)
Semi: Kobe
Tkb: Kobe
Blame Rasho: Kobe
Derekman: Kobe
magicfan4life05: Kobe Bean
JDawg: Kobe
Doc: Kobe
ko8e: Kobe
Original Baller: Kobe
BRINGTHEPAIN: Kevin Garnett
RobertGlory: Chris Paul
NO-KG-AI?
KDRE?
Jokes:
EatOurChildren: Smush Parker
:Kobay: PJ Brown with an *asterisk* hater...
Total so far:
Kobe: 12
KG: 1
CP3: 1
PJ Brown: 1
Smush Parker: 1
Updated MVP Realgm Picks:
Shobe_81: Kobe
Andrew Bynasty: Kobe
ILikeTheGrizz: Kobe (provided current standings of April 14)
Semi: Kobe
Tkb: Kobe
Blame Rasho: Kobe
Derekman: Kobe
magicfan4life05: Kobe Bean
JDawg: Kobe
Doc: Kobe
ko8e: Kobe
Original Baller: Kobe
BRINGTHEPAIN: Kevin Garnett
RobertGlory: Chris Paul
NO-KG-AI?
KDRE?
Jokes:
EatOurChildren: Smush Parker
:Kobay: PJ Brown with an *asterisk* hater...
Total so far:
Kobe: 12
KG: 1
CP3: 1
PJ Brown: 1
Smush Parker: 1