The known conteders: (I wont show the exact stats since that is not what you should look at, what you should look at is where that players team is at and what he means to the team) Kobe: Leads Lakers in Scoring (2nd in NBA), Assists, Steals Lakers: 1st in West, 1st in Pacific CP3: Leads Hornets in Scoring, Assists (2nd in NBA), steals Hornets: 3rd in West, 2nd in Southwest Lebron: Leads Cavs in Scoring (League Leader), Assists, Steals Cavs: 4th in East, 2nd in Central Division Creeping to the top: KG: Leads Celtics in Rebounding Celtics: 1st in NBA, East and Atlantic Tmac: Leads Rockets in Scoring Houston: Tied with LA for 1st in West, 1st in Southwest, 2nd Longest win streak in NBA history With the Emergence of the Rockets, There are now 5 legit contenders for the trophy... Here's how i see it going: - If the voters would base it on achievements, then TMAC would win it for putting up the 2nd longest win streak in NBA history... But that would ALSO show that Kobe was robbed in 05 - 06 for putting up the 2nd longest scoring performance and single handedly leading a team to the playoffs. Nash won it bec. they were #1 in the west. - If voters would go for monster stats and a winning record (they should also remember that the Cavs are in the, sorry, crummy east) then it would go to LEBRON for putting up the best numbers in the NBA this season... But it would also show that KB24 was robbed in 06 - 07 bec. he was #2 in overall efficiency according to Hoopstats.com while bringing the Lakers yet again to the playoffs, also Lebron was robbed in 05 - 06 bec he was 2nd in overall efficiency but Nash won it coz PHX was #1 overall that year (i think, or at least in the west). Lebron will increase his chances to win it if the Cavs can manage to climb up to 3rd or 2nd in the East. - CP3? The only way i see him winning it is if voters some how tie Kobe and Lebron and CP3 wins bec of ALL the 3rd place votes he gets LOL. Or if the Hornets manage to get up to # 1 in the west care of extraordinary performances by CP3 just like his 24pts 17assists against the lakers. - KG? He'll get if voters vote the Best player on the best team. but it didnt work for Chauncey Billups with his league leading Pistons in 05 - 06 though. - Kobe will get it IF: - Lakers remain #1 in west (or maybe #2 considering that the West is a really really tough conference this year) - If he ends Houston's win streak at 21 - If he puts up electrifying performances here and there (Lakers should come out 2 -2 without Gasol in this roadtrip) Right now, i think they should be ranked as: 1. Kobe 2. Lebron 3. Tmac 4. CP3 5. KG
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kobe23 @ Mar 15 2008, 12:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>- If voters would go for monster stats and a winning record (they should also remember that the Cavs are in the, sorry, crummy east) then it would go to LEBRON for putting up the best numbers in the NBA this season... But it would also show that KB24 was robbed in 06 - 07 bec. he was #2 in overall efficiency according to Hoopstats.com while bringing the Lakers yet again to the playoffs, also Lebron was robbed in 05 - 06 bec he was 2nd in overall efficiency but Nash won it coz PHX was #1 overall that year (i think, or at least in the west) Lebron will increase his chances to win it if the Cavs can manage to climb up to 3rd or 2nd in the East.</div> LeBron's efficiency in 05-06 was not on par with Kobe's in 05-06 due to the East/West game split. Efficiency ratings also don't take into account defense, or the fact that his Rebounding is skewed. Out of the West, I would rank Kobe first, and Paul Second. T-Mac has been solid but the Hornets rely more on Paul.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (huevonkiller @ Mar 15 2008, 01:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kobe23 @ Mar 15 2008, 12:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>- If voters would go for monster stats and a winning record (they should also remember that the Cavs are in the, sorry, crummy east) then it would go to LEBRON for putting up the best numbers in the NBA this season... But it would also show that KB24 was robbed in 06 - 07 bec. he was #2 in overall efficiency according to Hoopstats.com while bringing the Lakers yet again to the playoffs, also Lebron was robbed in 05 - 06 bec he was 2nd in overall efficiency but Nash won it coz PHX was #1 overall that year (i think, or at least in the west) Lebron will increase his chances to win it if the Cavs can manage to climb up to 3rd or 2nd in the East.</div> LeBron's efficiency in 05-06 was not on par with Kobe's in 05-06 due to the East/West game split. Efficiency ratings also don't take into account defense, or the fact that his Rebounding is skewed. Out of the West, I would rank Kobe first, and Paul Second. T-Mac has been solid but the Hornets rely more on Paul. </div> Kobe was ranked 6th in that year even though he led the league in scoring (34.5) with 4 apg and 4 rpg... Yes, it wasnt at par with kobe's and efficiency doesnt take account defence... But the biased authors always seem to use Statistics (especially Lebron's padded ones) as a measuring stick and seem to forego the fact that Lebron is in the east. Yes Kobe was, by far, the better player in 05-06 but his stats did not show it since he was often raped by double and triple teams LOL My pt is that, Kobe is achieveing what Nash did in his 2 years as MVP, namely: - be# 1 in west (05 - 06 suns and now 07-08 lakers)- check - be the best player on that team and outshine fellow all stars (marion and amare now pau and odom) - check
I think LeBron and Kobe are pretty much even (can you have co-MVPs?), and I'm really not sure who will get it. Bryant deserves it almost for his career and the number of times he has been snubbed, but it depends how the media want LeBron to be portrayed in 50 years' time. If he wins like 7 MVP Awards (which isn't out of the question) it will create a serious LeBron - MJ debate that will go on forever. I hate to be a pessimist, but I think it could come down to that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chingy0007 @ Mar 15 2008, 05:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think LeBron and Kobe are pretty much even (can you have co-MVPs?), and I'm really not sure who will get it. Bryant deserves it almost for his career and the number of times he has been snubbed, but it depends how the media want LeBron to be portrayed in 50 years' time. If he wins like 7 MVP Awards (which isn't out of the question) it will create a serious LeBron - MJ debate that will go on forever. I hate to be a pessimist, but I think it could come down to that.</div> MVP trophies don't create X vs MJ debates precisely because of the inconsistent voting. MJ got robbed of a few himself.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (huevonkiller @ Mar 15 2008, 11:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chingy0007 @ Mar 15 2008, 05:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think LeBron and Kobe are pretty much even (can you have co-MVPs?), and I'm really not sure who will get it. Bryant deserves it almost for his career and the number of times he has been snubbed, but it depends how the media want LeBron to be portrayed in 50 years' time. If he wins like 7 MVP Awards (which isn't out of the question) it will create a serious LeBron - MJ debate that will go on forever. I hate to be a pessimist, but I think it could come down to that.</div> MVP trophies don't create X vs MJ debates precisely because of the inconsistent voting. MJ got robbed of a few himself. </div> I would tend to agree with that, but if a player won something like 7 MVP Awards, the debate would have to be serious. Anyone who can play that well for that number of seasons would automatically be thrust into a GOAT debate. The inconsistent voting would be factored into the debate, but it can be argued that LeBron could have won 1 or 2 already, but 7 MVPs would still be 7 MVPs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chingy0007 @ Mar 15 2008, 10:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (huevonkiller @ Mar 15 2008, 11:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chingy0007 @ Mar 15 2008, 05:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think LeBron and Kobe are pretty much even (can you have co-MVPs?), and I'm really not sure who will get it. Bryant deserves it almost for his career and the number of times he has been snubbed, but it depends how the media want LeBron to be portrayed in 50 years' time. If he wins like 7 MVP Awards (which isn't out of the question) it will create a serious LeBron - MJ debate that will go on forever. I hate to be a pessimist, but I think it could come down to that.</div> MVP trophies don't create X vs MJ debates precisely because of the inconsistent voting. MJ got robbed of a few himself. </div> I would tend to agree with that, but if a player won something like 7 MVP Awards, the debate would have to be serious. Anyone who can play that well for that number of seasons would automatically be thrust into a GOAT debate. The inconsistent voting would be factored into the debate, but it can be argued that LeBron could have won 1 or 2 already, but 7 MVPs would still be 7 MVPs. </div> Because of the rule changes, it wouldn't be enough for LeBron to copy Michael Jordan's per-minute-possession numbers though. I don't think he's winning 7 MVPs either, people get tired of voting for the same guy (even Jordan). People also forget about many of the great Big Men in the history of this game, LeBron hasn't surpassed them yet nor is it a given. Players like Tim Duncan and Shaq have been ignored in MVP seasons simply because there was a new flavor of the moment.
I still believe that if LBJ were to win 7 MVPs he would have to be considered in the GOAT debate with MJ. And the media thrive on debates of that sort. And the media vote for the MVP. And they can justify giving LeBron the vote by his play this season. I'm not saying he will win 7, but this could be the first of many MVP awards for LeBron. I do think Kobe has serious grounds to win it, if only for the number of times he could have won it.
Kobe didnt break houstons streak... and the lkaers are 0 - 2 in the 4 game road trip... that puts a minus in his mvp chances
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chingy0007 @ Mar 15 2008, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I still believe that if LBJ were to win 7 MVPs he would have to be considered in the GOAT debate with MJ. And the media thrive on debates of that sort. And the media vote for the MVP. And they can justify giving LeBron the vote by his play this season. I'm not saying he will win 7, but this could be the first of many MVP awards for LeBron. I do think Kobe has serious grounds to win it, if only for the number of times he could have won it.</div> Maybe when LeBron lands six NBA titles and six Finals MVPs to boot, then we might insert him in Jordan talks by his careers end. Unless that happens though, he can 15 MVPs but he still won't be the best in my eyes. MVPs mean nothing if you can't get your team over the hump.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Moo2K4 @ Mar 17 2008, 11:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chingy0007 @ Mar 15 2008, 01:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I still believe that if LBJ were to win 7 MVPs he would have to be considered in the GOAT debate with MJ. And the media thrive on debates of that sort. And the media vote for the MVP. And they can justify giving LeBron the vote by his play this season. I'm not saying he will win 7, but this could be the first of many MVP awards for LeBron. I do think Kobe has serious grounds to win it, if only for the number of times he could have won it.</div> Maybe when LeBron lands six NBA titles and six Finals MVPs to boot, then we might insert him in Jordan talks by his careers end. Unless that happens though, he can 15 MVPs but he still won't be the best in my eyes. MVPs mean nothing if you can't get your team over the hump. </div> So what happens if a player is the best player in the league and happens to be on a team with a combination of terrible talent, coaching, and chemistry. Like KG's timberwolves didn't have a lot of talent on them outside of KG. Jordan without the right pieces didn't have a successful team, same with Shaq, Kobe, Wilt, Magic, you name it. Some players are surrounded with a team with better players, better coaches, better chemistry over their span of their career than others. For Example Chauncy Billups got his team over the hump and won a Finals MVP, while Kidd never got his team over the hump and has no Finals MVP.
