Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP Just because Kobe's playing better doesn't mean that he can pull some of the things Wade does offensively. I would say Wade is much better at driving the lane and drawing contact. Wade's ball-handling may be slightly better than Kobe's as well. Not to mention that Wade has grown tremendously as a defender.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP If there are any questions if the Lakers would be a playoff team without Kobe... how about looking at the Memphis Grizzlies before Gasol got injured and subsequently soured on them (a.k.a. pre-2007)? Wade is the MVP. That is a lackluster roster that without him would win less than 20 games again. Instead Wade is going to lead them to the 4th seed. It may be a joke to huevon, but it will end up being a 30-35 win difference in the with/without Wade argument, as opposed to 15-20 for the Lakers with/without Kobe.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP I wasn't exactly referring to jump shots. Although, when it mattered, Wade's jumper has been quite reliable, although not quite on the level of Kobe's. I would say Wade's offensive ARSENAL may be more diverse.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP I am aware of this, Kobe's not even in his prime to me but he's just gutting this whole season out incredibly.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP I would say Kobe's at his prime or slightly past it. If you're talking about prime as a team player and leader, then maybe not. But in terms of his offense, he was best back in 2006/2007, regardless of stats. The moves he was able to pull on Raja Bell in the playoffs and the long 3's he was able to hit with ease shows that he is at a slight decline, probably due to physical aging rather than skill-rust.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP In the West the Lakers don't stand a chance to make the playoffs, you need to win 50 games and a healthy Bynum who hasn't been so far in his career. Who would they replace Kobe with? Sasha is pure garbage. Wade made his team look worse because he had a career low last season, his team isn't that horrific although it isn't going anywhere. I still haven't seen how Bron wouldn't dominate on the Heat. The argument is flawed.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP He's only slightly past his prime because of his shooting prowess thankfully, I don't think these other guys will last as long as Bryant.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP Wade has no chance, if you want stat whores and/or victories, Bron still has it to me. No way they let the Golden Child go this long without an MVP.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP If you look at the standings now, only 9 teams are fighting for the playoff spot in the West. Golden State is probably out of the race already. Without a doubt in my mind, a Lakers team without Kobe can beat the Golden State Warriors more times than not. It would be a tough call against Pheonix, Dallas, and Portland. To be honest, I think everyone, including myself at times, is too caught up with the excellence of Kobe as a player to say that it would be as if the team would completely break down without him. It's not like he's oxygen to humans as he is a player to the Lakers.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP Wade probably won't due to the amount of wear and tear he takes every night. You can argue that Kobe can fight through injuries, but Wade's constant pounding night in and night out will soon take a toll. LeBron will be slightly above average once his age cancels out his athleticism. He is a player that dominates based on the physical aspect of basketball when Kobe meshes both physical and finesse.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP The only difference between losing in five games in the first round to the Suns back in 06-07, and now, is Pau Gasol. We've gone on a winning streak without Drew because Pau and Kobe are playing perfectly off each other and creating for the others. Take Kobe off and this team gets destroyed in the first round, just like old times for Pau.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP So, with this argument, you're saying this: Kobe - Pau = lost in first round Kobe + Pau = championship Pau - Kobe = lost in first round Thus, what you're saying is, Pau = Kobe. Are you serious?
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP You don't get it, Odom has flourished precisely with the arrival of Pau, it isn't just Pau + Kobe championship. With Drew in there we'd have some success though. How am I wrong? Look at the entire roster dude, our bench is trash and our PG/SFs aren't THAT good. We're a flawed roster but Pau has dominated as the second option receiving less attention than in Memphis. Kobe works well with what we've got.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP With what you previously said translated into a math equation, you are saying Pau = Kobe. After you read what you have said, try to correct my statement.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP Without Kobe and Drew we'll be lucky to get past the first round, don't lie to yourself. Pau hasn't carried a team like that before. Odom is inconsistent as hell, he's not a good second option as he has proven time and again.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP You're crazy, I said nothing of the sort. Read my statement more carefully, we'd win more games with Kobe but we're not going anywhere just like 2-3 years ago.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP This is relevant how? It just shows how much more pathetic the Eastern conference is if you think about it. It's not a good measuring stick of Kobe's importance at all. Big whoop, the Lakers minus Kobe could smoke the Heat minus Wade because their supporting cast is better...but it's just that, a supporting cast. That doesn't say how much Kobe means to the Lakers, especially in the loaded Western conference.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP I can't believe you still don't realize what you said. You said, the only difference between Kobe failing in the first round, is Pau. Then you go onto saying that if Kobe is taken out of the team, the team would get destroyed in the first round. Thus, you are saying the Lakers WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS without Kobe, are you not? Since you say if Kobe is taken out, the Lakers will get beat in the first round. (first round = playoff entrance)
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP Without Kobe and Drew, we'd be lucky to even MAKE the playoffs. If we did we would get owned just like the Grizz always got owned. Without Pau and Drew we'll definitely make the playoffs, and win a series if we're lucky. Though I doubt it. Pau Gasol is a fringe All Star as a first option. Really I can't make it any more clearer.
Re: How D-Wade chooses his MVP Before this, you said this about not having Kobe: Clearly, you said the West wouldn't make the playoffs if Kobe was not on the team. Then, you go onto saying that if Kobe is taken off, Pau would lose in the first round. You go from saying the Lakers won't make the playoffs to Lakers making the playoffs.
