MVP Rankings 1.0

[CzBoobie]

I have no problem with Kobe being the MVP at this moment. LeBron is pretty much coasting to the best PER and top 5 record in the league.

But Pau Gasol should be considered at top 5. 12-1 with him in the lineup. Almost 18/13/4/57%FG/90%FT with better PER than Kobe. Averaging 18 rebounds per game in last 5 games (28 offensive rebounds). Better offensive (best in the league actually) AND defensive rating than Kobe (7th in the league). Legit case for the best PF in the league.

Another reason Kobe should be the MVP.

A guy that can take a guy from being considered a top25 player (maybe) to being considered a top 10 player is the MVP plain and simple.

Gasol is just more effective when all the attention is placed on Kobe and when the offense is run through Kobe. Gasol's averages are near the same when he was a grizz, but it is clear he's a much improved player.

Gasol's growth, Bynum's growth, Ariza's growth (when he was in LA) are all direct reflection on Kobe's leadership.

so yeah kobe has more help, but most of his help had to be developed and integrated.

Also, most people thought the Lakers would be worse without Ariza. The way Kobe has helped integrate Ron Ron is another plus in his favor.

Phil Jackson and Kareem (in Bynum's case) might have something to say about it, too, don't you think? But yeah, if Kobe really makes Gasol rebound like crazy, make almost all of his free throws and play pretty good defense, then Kobe is not only the MVP, he is the GOAT.

[YLSKillaCam]

I have no problem with Kobe being the MVP at this moment. LeBron is pretty much coasting to the best PER and top 5 record in the league.

But Pau Gasol should be considered at top 5. 12-1 with him in the lineup. Almost 18/13/4/57%FG/90%FT with better PER than Kobe. Averaging 18 rebounds per game in last 5 games (28 offensive rebounds). Better offensive (best in the league actually) AND defensive rating than Kobe (7th in the league). Legit case for the best PF in the league.

Another reason Kobe should be the MVP.

A guy that can take a guy from being considered a top25 player (maybe) to being considered a top 10 player is the MVP plain and simple.

Gasol is just more effective when all the attention is placed on Kobe and when the offense is run through Kobe. Gasol's averages are near the same when he was a grizz, but it is clear he's a much improved player.

Gasol's growth, Bynum's growth, Ariza's growth (when he was in LA) are all direct reflection on Kobe's leadership.

so yeah kobe has more help, but most of his help had to be developed and integrated.

Also, most people thought the Lakers would be worse without Ariza. The way Kobe has helped integrate Ron Ron is another plus in his favor.

Phil Jackson and Kareem (in Bynum's case) might have something to say about it, too, don't you think? But yeah, if Kobe really makes Gasol rebound like crazy, make almost all of his free throws and play pretty good defense, then Kobe is not only the MVP, he is the GOAT.

Yeah, I mean everyone chips in. It takes a team to be great even on the Cavs, but you have to have a guy on the floor leading it. Kobe's the leader. He gets to take the credit when things go well and he gets to take the blame when things don't.

Gasol has been a beast rebounding and his FT% is improved, but he's getting to play one on one, getting the ball deep into the post, has open 15 footers that Kobe creates for him.

Gasol has made Kobe a better player in my opinion as well. That's also a testament to Pau's greatness that he can make the best player in the game look better.

[LeBronade]

Pau: I want more shots, look at my field goal %!
Kobe: I'm only giving you 5 shots per game, so if you want any more than that then GO FETCH!

[Dat Pass]

Wow, how did the 09-10 MVP race turn into an argument about the Suns and the Pistons?!?

Lets say the Lakers go 67-15 (1st in West) and the Cavs go 59-23 (3rd in East).

Neither team faces major injuries.

Kobe's numbers are 27-5-4 on 47% shooting.
LeBron's numbers are 29-8-7 on 50% shooting.

Who wins the MVP?

Fixed. That is a more likely scenerio.

Even in that scenario, which I doubt is the case (dont think LeBron will maintain 8apg, and Kobe will shoot a better percentage than that) Kobe would still VERY likely win it.

[LebronsCavs]

You do realize Kobe's career high in FG% is 46.8?

[INKtastic]

Pau: I want more shots, look at my field goal %!
Kobe: I'm only giving you 5 shots per game, so if you want any more than that then GO FETCH!

And Kobe's helping him with the rebounding too - he gives him more chances at rebounds by missing a lead leading 11.4 shots/game.

[Optms]

You do realize Kobe's career high in FG% is 46.8?

You do realize Bryant is posting up all his victims this year, right?

[LebronsCavs]

Pau: I want more shots, look at my field goal %!
Kobe: I'm only giving you 5 shots per game, so if you want any more than that then GO FETCH!

And Kobe's helping him with the rebounding too - he gives him more chances at rebounds by missing a lead leading 11.4 shots/game.

[INKtastic]

Another reason Kobe should be the MVP.

A guy that can take a guy from being considered a top25 player (maybe) to being considered a top 10 player is the MVP plain and simple.

Gasol is just more effective when all the attention is placed on Kobe and when the offense is run through Kobe. Gasol's averages are near the same when he was a grizz, but it is clear he's a much improved player.

Gasol's growth, Bynum's growth, Ariza's growth (when he was in LA) are all direct reflection on Kobe's leadership.

So who gets credit for Kobe's growth as a player? Kobe's own hard work or simply Shaq's leadership?

It couldn't just be that Gasol and Bynum got better primarily because of their own hard work just like Kobe did when he was Shaq's teammate, could it? How was throwing Bynum under the bus a couple of years ago a sign of Kobe's leadership?

[whatagame]

Another reason Kobe should be the MVP.

A guy that can take a guy from being considered a top25 player (maybe) to being considered a top 10 player is the MVP plain and simple.

Gasol is just more effective when all the attention is placed on Kobe and when the offense is run through Kobe. Gasol's averages are near the same when he was a grizz, but it is clear he's a much improved player.

Gasol's growth, Bynum's growth, Ariza's growth (when he was in LA) are all direct reflection on Kobe's leadership.

So who gets credit for Kobe's growth as a player? Kobe's own hard work or simply Shaq's leadership?

It couldn't just be that Gasol and Bynum got better primarily because of their own hard work just like Kobe did when he was Shaq's teammate, could it? How was throwing Bynum under the bus a couple of years ago a sign of Kobe's leadership?[/

Concerning the 1st bolded, Gasol and Bynum have definently put it work, but it's also obvious that they benefit a great deal from the attention that Bryant draws. No Kobe doesn't deserve ALL the credit for the play of Gasol/Bynum, but he definently has had a hand in it. And speaking of hard work, prehaps Bryant's notorious work ethic has had an impact on Gasol and Bynum as well. Kobe's made a difference on these guys, unless Gasol is a lier. Ron Artest has already said that Kobe's making him a better player.

How was throwing Bynum under the bus a couple of years ago a sign of Kobe's leadership?

uh, who said it was?

[CharlieMurphy]

someone needed to call bynum out on his lack of hard work up until that point. Coincidentally the next season we saw great improvements in his play across the board....

But as always correlation doesn't always equal causation. But who knows.

[Bgil]

I have no problem with Kobe being the MVP at this moment. LeBron is pretty much coasting to the best PER and top 5 record in the league.

Yeah, that's right. Cavs/Lebron fans aren't going to get much more than that out of this season.

But Pau Gasol should be considered at top 5. 12-1 with him in the lineup. Almost 18/13/4/57%FG/90%FT with better PER than Kobe. Averaging 18 rebounds per game in last 5 games (28 offensive rebounds). Better offensive (best in the league actually) AND defensive rating than Kobe (7th in the league). Legit case for the best PF in the league.

We'd trade Pau for Dirk with no hesitation. Duncan and KG are still better but significantly older.

[laronprofit9]

I don't get why everyone assumes the Lakers would easily make the playoffs if Kobe wasn't on the team.

You need to have around 50 wins just to be the 8th seed in the western conference.

07-08 the 8th seed Denver Nuggets 50-32
08-09 the 8th seed Utah Jazz 48-34

They would be battling for a playoff spot right now without Kobe. Without Kobe, we'd also have the worst back court in the NBA. Fisher and Brown, Fisher and Vujacic, Fisher and Farmar? LOL

The Lakers without Kobe would be a 7th or 8th seed and wold probably get knocked out in the 1st round.

[Dat Pass]

Wow, how did the 09-10 MVP race turn into an argument about the Suns and the Pistons?!?

Lets say the Lakers go 67-15 (1st in West) and the Cavs go 59-23 (3rd in East).

Neither team faces major injuries.

Kobe's numbers are 27-5-4 on 47% shooting.
LeBron's numbers are 29-8-7 on 50% shooting.

Who wins the MVP?

Fixed. That is a more likely scenerio.

Even in that scenario, which I doubt is the case (dont think LeBron will maintain 8apg, and Kobe will shoot a better percentage than that) Kobe would still VERY likely win it.

You do realize Kobe's career high in FG% is 46.8?

Wait, is Kobe incapable of breaking his career high?

Either way, even in your scenario... Who wins the MVP?

[LebronsCavs]

Well I think the Cavs are going to need a top 3 record. If they finish behind the Lakers, Celtics, and Magic, i dont like his chances no matter how amazing he plays the rest of the year. Voters look at wins a lot.

[Dat Pass]

Well I think the Cavs are going to need a top 3 record. If they finish behind the Lakers, Celtics, and Magic, i dont like his chances no matter how amazing he plays the rest of the year. Voters look at wins a lot.

Thank you for answering honestly. And I agree. If LeBron doesnt end the season with at least the 3rd best record (or at least better than the Lakers), then we both agree LeBron wont win it. With that being said, I think its very unlikely the Cavs finish better than Magic/Celtics/Lakers. I just dont see it happening.

[LebronsCavs]

^^That is what they said last year. Who knows what could happen though, the Celtics could get hit by the injury bug.

[HouMac]

The perception around the media IS that LeBron's significantly more valuable to his team than Kobe is. And that perception is pretty close to fact. Cleveland is still viewed as a team with LeBron + a bunch of role players. LA definitely isn't. They're consdered one of the most talented teams in the league. Thus, it's not that important for LeBron to carry Cleveland to as impressive a record as LA's in order to win MVP. He could be somewhat close(around 5 games) and continue his league-best production and that should do the trick. Trailing Boston or Orlando in the standings won't matter much either. Neither team has a serious MVP candidate to take votes away from LeBron. Trailing Denver on the other hand can hurt, because Melo is a legitimate MVP candiate. And the media LOVES giving the award to someone who hasn't won it yet(2008 Kobe, for instance).

[CharlieMurphy]

The perception around the media IS that LeBron's significantly more valuable to his team than Kobe is. And that perception is pretty close to fact. Cleveland is still viewed as a team with LeBron + a bunch of role players. LA definitely isn't. They're consdered one of the most talented teams in the league. Thus, it's not that important for LeBron to carry Cleveland to as impressive a record as LA's in order to win MVP. He could be somewhat close(around 5 games) and continue his league-best production and that should do the trick. Trailing Boston or Orlando in the standings won't matter much either. Neither team has a serious MVP candidate to take votes away from LeBron. Trailing Denver on the other hand can hurt, because Melo is a legitimate MVP candiate. And the media LOVES giving the award to someone who hasn't won it yet(2008 Kobe, for instance).

link, poll, anything that backs this claim?? otherwise, you're just blowing this out your arse.

Look, this isn't high school debate. The "speaker says it, so it must be true" rule doesn't apply here.

[HouMac]

link, poll, anything that backs this claim?? otherwise, you're just blowing this out your arse.

Look, this isn't high school debate. The "speaker says it, so it must be true" rule doesn't apply here.

It's called following the league and getting a pulse of how people feel about certain players and their teams. If you honestly think the perception of LeBron being a lot more valuable to Cleveland than Kobe to LA is untrue, then what rock have you been living under? Also, if you don't think Cleveland is considered A LOT Less talented than LA, then again, where the **** have you been? This is obvious when you listen to any opposing commentator, media member or heck, even opposing fans.