Is the league MVP Lebron James's to lose?

[Heat fan06]

Again lebron impressive numbers in limited minutes

Only question is keeping the numbers up if we keep blowing teams out...

[tsherkin]

lol I just said his numbers, they are really more like Starbury numbers without the assists but you get the point.

"Without the assists?"

Your realize Rose averaged 7.7 apg last season, right? Yeah, Marbury tended to be in the 8.1 - 8.4 range, but given their difference in shooting volume, that makes sense.

I think that you're undervaluing Rose here; he WAS their offense during the regular season. Maybe you don't appreciate how awful it is to have Keith Bogans playing starter's minutes for your team and still having a competent offense, but let me tell you, that's one of those 4-on-5 type situations. It's even worse than having Joel on the floor, because at least he can contribute by crashing the offensive glass and presenting defensive utility on the other end. Bogans is just a sink hole of failure and frustration.

Rose is a good player; the MVP was undeserved and based on narrative instead of merit, much like Iverson's 2001 MVP, I agree. There are two or three guys who should have won that instead of him. Lebron maybe, Dwight certainly and Dirk made a case for himself as well, all ahead of Rose.

But don't diminish what the player actually accomplished and meant to his team with nonsense comparisons to Marbury and Steve Francis; those guys had bad attitudes, didn't really adapt their game of the course of their careers and didn't exert a huge positive impact on their teams. Rose is a constantly evolving player who listens to his coach, connects with his teammates and dominates on the court.

And i bet in 2 more years that Boozer signing will look real dumb and not trading Noah for Carmelo will look real dumb.

I doubt that. Highly Melo's utility to the Bulls would be limited because he's so much less effective at creating offense for others and isn't any better at creating offense for himself.

Regarding the signing of Boozer, I suspect you're not paying close attention, but he's back to Utah levels on his jumper out of the pick-and-roll, he's rebounding well, passing well, he's been quite useful on offense. Defensively, he's been bad, but within the scope of their team D he hasn't been a huge problem and at the time of the signing, there weren't a lot of more palatable alternatives. Amare would have been worse on the glass, worse on D, an attitude problem waiting to happen, more expensive AND a health risk. And Bosh signed in Miami to be with his friends. And it wasn't a signing for the sake of spending money, either; the Bulls needed that extra offensive punch to become contenders (at least dark horse contenders).

[EscapoTHB]

If the Knicks keep winning, and Lin keeps playing how he's playing, I think he could get the MVP. He's by far the biggest story this season, and it's sports writers that vote for MVP. And lin winning the MVP in the biggest basketball market is the biggest story. The New York media will do whatever it takes to get him the MVP. And there's still enough Lebron hate that people would love another option.

[Heat fan06]

That really would be a joke if Lin did win the MVP

[tsherkin]

Hypothetically, if Lin continues to average 23+ ppg and like 7+ apg while standing at the center of a major shift in New York's ability to win, he'd even DESERVE the MVP, never mind the momentum of the narrative weight behind him. He's at 13/2/4.5 on the season at the moment, and he's averaged 26.8 ppg and 8.5 apg over the last 6 games.

He's posting 27.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 8.8 apg as a starter in just over 40 mpg. He's also averaging 6 turnovers a game as a starter, and 5 turnovers per game over the last 6 (the 6th game is that 25/7 break-out game).

So a couple of things come to mind; one, there's no way that he should be permitted to keep playing 40+ mpg in this compressed season; two, that's a lot of damned turnovers; and three, I really doubt he continues to shoot 50% from the floor over the length of the season, that's very rare from a volume-scoring guard these days.

I suspect Lin will continue to play well for the Knicks, and likewise to continue playing significant minutes, but those numbers reek of impending regression and tactical re-adjustment lingering on the horizon. I don't think MVP is a legitimate expectation for Lin, personally.

[izZo]

That really would be a joke if Lin did win the MVP

I agree

[TheMiamiHeat3]

Not a single doubt. I mean, he's having the best regular season by PER. His scoring at ridiculous efficiency thanks to his added post game. Rebounding like a beast. Excellent defense too. How can anyone even compare to him?

[DefenseWins]

It'd be sad as hell if Lin wins the MVP. Media doesn't care though... as long as they are making more money riding the Lin Wagon.

[tsherkin]

I don't think anyone has to worry about Lin winning the MVP. MIP, sure, but his numbers will take enough of a stepback when Melo returns that unless he's rocking 10+ apg, I doubt he finishes top 5.

[This IsMy House]

All of these other names are thrown out there because most people don't want to admit(haters) that LeBron is the clear front runner for MVP right now. No one is having close to the season he is. He is just dominating on both sides of the ball and playing less than the other candidates, and putting up much better numbers. I hate that he doesn't get the respect he deserves about this, just because people hate on him so much. Hopefully when its all said and done the media will do the right thing and name LeBron MVP.