Kobe MVP

[spree2kawhi]

u haven't seen chris paul play extensively if u think he doesn't have annoying antics. i can't stand watching his offensive flopping.

no I just saw him in playoff games the last couple of years, but with wade and lebron it's got to be even worse. I mean it's not even funny, wade was even presented with a championship by the referees. remember how he elbowed nowitzki and went to the line in the finals? it's just hilarious what these guys get away with or how lebron acts in public, he's just a joke and I hate it...

[picc]

Call me crazy, but I think having the league MVP on your team is somewhat of a negative. It means one player had to do too much for the team and generally these squads are not as balanced and talented as others. Hence why Boston beat us in 08, Cleveland got shallacked this year, etc. I'm hoping this teams roster performs in such a way that Kobe doesn't come close to MVP. I think that would signify our players have taken the next step and we've become a more all-around balanced dynasty team.

[Hilltop]

I can easily see Kobe Bryant winning another Championship or maybe two until his career is up. Right now though, I just don't see him winning another Season MVP. LeBron will shackle that Award years and years to come (maybe Chris Paul and Dwight Howard will get a crack too).

[semi-sentient]

He has a shot this year, but we have to stay healthy and play up to our potential. If we do then we'll have some serious separation in terms of best record and it could be enough to sway voters to select Kobe. Of course it also depends heavily on just how good LeBron and the Cavs are, but if the Lakers win 10 or so more games than the Cavs then Kobe could be the front-runner. LeBron's numbers are going to be a bit better than Kobe's out of necessity so the only way to compensate is to have considerably more wins. Kobe will also need to elevate his play whether that means being more efficient or being a better play-maker to offset his expected drop in scoring.

I personally think the Cavs will win less games this season -- probably less than 60. It's hard to imagine Shaq playing more than 65/70 games and with him going in and out it'll affect their chemistry. The uncertainty surrounding Delonte will also factor in. The main reason they won't win as many games is because I think they overachieved last season. Add in that the Celtics and Magic could very well have better records than the Cavs and it opens the door for Kobe to steal his 2nd MVP.

The "best player on a top 3 team" formula has produced better than 90% of MVP winners and in the past 20 years the only exception has been Steve Nash (05-06) when his team finished with the 4th best record. In fact, 85% of the winners in that same period were on a top 2 team (Kobe, Nash, and Iverson were the exceptions).

I don't think the Heat or Hornets will be good enough for Wade and CP3 to get the nod above Kobe, so it'll come down to him and LeBron once again. D12 might be up there as well as I think the Magic will have the top record in the East, but I don't think he'll be higher than LeBron or Kobe because the media has more of a fetish with perimeter players these days.