DIRK NASHKOBEARENAS/BOOZER/J'OnealTmac/LBJBoozer is injured but before that and when he gets back I expect him to be back up there!
Spare me Carlos freaking Boozer...jeez... Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki...can't even think of a 5th.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BrewCityBuck @ Feb 15 2007, 08:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Spare me Carlos freaking Boozer...jeez...</div>What? The Jazz are winning this year and he is getting 22.1 and 11.8rpg - Clearly he is a candidate.I like you BCB but sometimes
Here's my top five:1. Kobe Bryant2. Dirk Nowitzki3. Steve Nash4. Tracy McGrady 5. Tim DuncanI pick Bryant. However, I know that he won't win because MVP usually goes to somebody on the best team or second best team. I doubt the Lakers get higher than fourth overall, so it'll be hard for some in the media to vote him. Plus a lot of media people hate Kobe because he was surly when he was younger (he's opened up now) and the media holds grudges like that.Here's why I'm against Nash this year. (Keep in mind that as one of the five people in Canada that liked basketball before the Raps were in the league that I'm very proud of what this guy has done. I think his accomplishments will lead to more Canadians playing the game and hopefully making the league.) Two years ago he won because he was a new player on what was a bad team. Makes sense, although my vote would have went to Shaquille O'Neal. Last year he won MVP largely because his All-Star teammate Amare Stoudemire was out of action. That's understandable. This year Stoudemire's back healthy and the Suns are better than they were last year. In that case shouldn't Stoudemire be the one getting the MVP votes? If it's the same thing basically and they win ten (or maybe 15) more games than last year then where's his credit? Of course Nash is going to have better stats this year. He's got two All-Stars on his team, both of whom are among the 20 best players in the NBA. So if he's rewarded for producing when the one star is NOT there then why should he be rewarded just the same when that same All-Star is there? That's what I'm saying. If you have three All-Stars on your team you should win 55-60 games, right? Not to mention last year's most improved player in Diaw and maybe this year's in Barbosa (also maybe the sixth man too). This is why Magic Johnson only won 3 MVPs and not 5 or 6. They always said what about Kareem and Worthy? Hell, it's why Shaq only has one. He had Bryant. Nash's numbers are better because defenses worry about Amare. When it was Kurt Thomas or Tim Thomas you had a limited player, not a beast like Amare. Now defenses have to double Stoudemire, which leaves Nash open and he's knocking down shots at an incredible because of it. He doesn't face the defenses that the likes of Nowitzki, Bryant or James face because of the quality of his teammates. I think Nowitzki will end up winning because I see Dallas finishing first overall. Their schedule in the second half of the year is easier than the Suns, so barring injury they should get that top spot and Nowitzki will win because of that. If I voted for MVP I'd consider who the best player is because a lot of time the best player is also very valuable. This year, just like last year, the best player in the NBA is Kobe Bryant. It's not just the scoring. Watch him play defense. He can shut guys down. He plays both ends. Guys like Nash and Nowitzki try on defense, but they get exposed a lot. You can't expose Bryant. It's a two way sport and you have to acknowledge that when considering value. Offensively he's the best, most clutch player in the game (Gil Arenas is having a nice run, but Bryant's been his usual self too). If you look at his teammates he is not surrounded by an All-Star cast at all. Lamar Odom is a good player that has never been an All-Star and always seems to miss games every year. On the Suns he'd be their fourth best player, same with the Spurs. Guys like Smush Parker, Luke Walton and Andrew Bynum (the other Laker starters when healthy) wouldn't even get on the floor for more than 10 minutes a night on the Suns, yet the Lakers need them to play 30-35 because they have nobody else. Despite this lack of quality teammates the Lakers are a top five team on pace for 50 wins because of Kobe Bryant. Keep in mind this guy gets double teamed 30 feet away from the basket a lot of the time. That's respect. That's value. If they win over 50 then give it to Bryant. If they win less than 50 then I'm fine with somebody else winning. But this team should not even be .500 with the players they got, yet they are because of him. That's why he's the MVP.Like I said earlier I think either Nash or Nowitzki will win based on whoever's team has the better final record. However, if you look at who the teams have and how they play then I think Bryant's the clear choice. It'd be nice if defense was considered too. Watch Bryant cover a guy. He's like Jordan was. He does it on both ends. That's not easy when you've got the target on your back on offense. That's why he's the best.On another note, even though I'm new here I suggest that a poll be added to this and also that it's a pinned topic because this can be an ongoing discussion the rest of the way.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JC Malaka @ Feb 14 2007, 07:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Here's my top five:1. Kobe Bryant2. Dirk Nowitzki3. Steve Nash4. Tracy McGrady 5. Tim DuncanI pick Bryant. However, I know that he won't win because MVP usually goes to somebody on the best team or second best team. I doubt the Lakers get higher than fourth overall, so it'll be hard for some in the media to vote him. Plus a lot of media people hate Kobe because he was surly when he was younger (he's opened up now) and the media holds grudges like that.Here's why I'm against Nash this year. (Keep in mind that as one of the five people in Canada that liked basketball before the Raps were in the league that I'm very proud of what this guy has done. I think his accomplishments will lead to more Canadians playing the game and hopefully making the league.) Two years ago he won because he was a new player on what was a bad team. Makes sense, although my vote would have went to Shaquille O'Neal. Last year he won MVP largely because his All-Star teammate Amare Stoudemire was out of action. That's understandable. This year Stoudemire's back healthy and the Suns are better than they were last year. In that case shouldn't Stoudemire be the one getting the MVP votes? If it's the same thing basically and they win ten (or maybe 15) more games than last year then where's his credit? Of course Nash is going to have better stats this year. He's got two All-Stars on his team, both of whom are among the 20 best players in the NBA. So if he's rewarded for producing when the one star is NOT there then why should he be rewarded just the same when that same All-Star is there? That's what I'm saying. If you have three All-Stars on your team you should win 55-60 games, right? Not to mention last year's most improved player in Diaw and maybe this year's in Barbosa (also maybe the sixth man too). This is why Magic Johnson only won 3 MVPs and not 5 or 6. They always said what about Kareem and Worthy? Hell, it's why Shaq only has one. He had Bryant. Nash's numbers are better because defenses worry about Amare. When it was Kurt Thomas or Tim Thomas you had a limited player, not a beast like Amare. Now defenses have to double Stoudemire, which leaves Nash open and he's knocking down shots at an incredible because of it. He doesn't face the defenses that the likes of Nowitzki, Bryant or James face because of the quality of his teammates. I think Nowitzki will end up winning because I see Dallas finishing first overall. Their schedule in the second half of the year is easier than the Suns, so barring injury they should get that top spot and Nowitzki will win because of that. If I voted for MVP I'd consider who the best player is because a lot of time the best player is also very valuable. This year, just like last year, the best player in the NBA is Kobe Bryant. It's not just the scoring. Watch him play defense. He can shut guys down. He plays both ends. Guys like Nash and Nowitzki try on defense, but they get exposed a lot. You can't expose Bryant. It's a two way sport and you have to acknowledge that when considering value. Offensively he's the best, most clutch player in the game (Gil Arenas is having a nice run, but Bryant's been his usual self too). If you look at his teammates he is not surrounded by an All-Star cast at all. Lamar Odom is a good player that has never been an All-Star and always seems to miss games every year. On the Suns he'd be their fourth best player, same with the Spurs. Guys like Smush Parker, Luke Walton and Andrew Bynum (the other Laker starters when healthy) wouldn't even get on the floor for more than 10 minutes a night on the Suns, yet the Lakers need them to play 30-35 because they have nobody else. Despite this lack of quality teammates the Lakers are a top five team on pace for 50 wins because of Kobe Bryant. Keep in mind this guy gets double teamed 30 feet away from the basket a lot of the time. That's respect. That's value. If they win over 50 then give it to Bryant. If they win less than 50 then I'm fine with somebody else winning. But this team should not even be .500 with the players they got, yet they are because of him. That's why he's the MVP.Like I said earlier I think either Nash or Nowitzki will win based on whoever's team has the better final record. However, if you look at who the teams have and how they play then I think Bryant's the clear choice. It'd be nice if defense was considered too. Watch Bryant cover a guy. He's like Jordan was. He does it on both ends. That's not easy when you've got the target on your back on offense. That's why he's the best.On another note, even though I'm new here I suggest that a poll be added to this and also that it's a pinned topic because this can be an ongoing discussion the rest of the way.</div>Nice analysis; however, why not have Bosh in the Top 5? I've been debating for quite some time with a friend who is a Raptors fan, and he thinks that Bosh should be considered in the Top 5. I decided to create a thread on here based off of that.
Hmmm...1. Steve Nash2. Dirk Nowitzki3. Kobe bryant4. Tracy McGrady5. Gilbert ArenasThings have dramatically changed since a few weeks ago. Nash's team has shown they can't win without him, Kobe's team has slidden to 6th place, and Dirk has stayed at his pace. GA's team has dropped off quite a bit, as his stats. T-Mac has carried his team without the best center in the league and other role players, and they are 1/2 game out from being 4th in the tough West. He has averaged 29/6/5 on 46% shooting since Yao went down.Interesting stuff going on...
This is my top 5 in order1. Dirk Nowtizki2. Kobe Bryant3. Steve Nash4. Tracy McGrady5. Tim DuncanDirk is leading the best team in the NBA and having a great season. Kobe is possibly having his best season of his career, his team is doing really well also. Steve Nash is Steve Nash. The Suns just arent the same without him...he is a hell of a player and leader. T-Mac has really stepped up since Yao has gone down, and the Rockets and T-Mac have been playing great. I am really happy for the guy. And Tim Duncan is having a great year, and his team is doing pretty well.
1.Steve Nash2.Dirk Nowitzki3.Kobe Bryant4.Tracy McGrady5.Gilbert ArenasSteve Nash IMO should still be the MVP I mean the Suns have shown they can't win w/o him and I think that defines the most VALUABLE player. Now in saying that Dirk Nowitzki is having a great year and is finally showing his ability to rebound and pass the ball out very well and he is leading his team to the best record in the NBA at 42-9. Kobe is having a great year also as he has finally shown the ability to lead his team while being able to pass the ball to open teammates as well, their team has been sliding as of late but once Lamar Odom gets his endurance back they will be a good team. As for T-Mac and Gilbert, T-Mac has really led the Houston Rockets to a great record w/o Yao Ming and they are number 5 in the West which is pretty good, as for Gilbert he was hot early in the year but he has really seemed to cool off and he doesn't seem to have the leadership abilities of a Kobe Bryant or a Steve Nash.
Nash, Dirk, Kobe, Arenas are top 4 right now....I'm not sure how much better the Raps will get, but if they can pull a miracle and get 45+ games Bosh will be up there. He won't get it, though.
1. Steve Nash2. Dirk Nowitzki3. Kobe Bryant4. Tim Duncan5. Tracy McGradySteve Nash is my top MVP candidate because the Suns are not doing do great without him and were basically unstoppable with him. That to me defines an MVP. T-Mac is in my top 5 because he is still leading the Rockets to a ton of wins even without Yao.
1. Dirk2. Nash3. Kobe4. T-mac5. DuncanI really think that dirk should get this award because he is on the best team in the league and has become a great leader and posted his usual, consitent numbers.Phoenix has had a rough time this year with out nash and done great with him, so I'll give him the number two spot for that reason and that reason only. One thing that gets me though is that everybody keeps saying that he deserves it because of the fact phoenix has struggled w/out him, this is true but that's not saying that dallas needs dirk just as bad and the lakers need kobe even worse.Kobe has led his injury-deprived team this year and has made them one of the better teams in the league. That alone makes him an mvp.Tracy has turned houston around this year and has done a lot of it w/out yao. that's really saying something when you are a 1/2 game behind san antonio w/out the best center in the nba.Duncan has been Duncan. Mr. fundamental. He is a great player and would have been higher except for the fact that san antonio has been struggling as of late (in their standards).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clangus @ Feb 14 2007, 06:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>DIRK NASHKOBEARENAS/BOOZER/J'OnealTmac/LBJBoozer is injured but before that and when he gets back I expect him to be back up there!</div>Yeah he is a prime candidate for MVP. His team's record is not exactly stellar, and who is currently 18th in MVP standings, is defintely a top 5 MVP candidate.
<span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS">I don't feel like explaining anything:1. Kobe Bryant2. Steve Nash3. Dirk Nowitzki4. Gilbert Arenas5. Carlos Boozer</span>
1. Dirk Nowitzki-Mavs just can't lose right now and Dirk is the biggest reason because of it. Last game everyone else was struggling but Dirk led the team to a win that they shouldn't have won. 2. Steve Nash-He is the engine that makes the Suns go. They have no other playmaker on that team so Nash is needed badly.3. Wade- Sure the team has struggled but Wade has been without Shaq for most of the season along with missing Jason Williams, Posey, and Walker at times as well. Without Wade Miami gets blown out. 4. Kobe Bryant- Despite his team getting better Kobe still had to wake up and realize the talent he has and not to hog the ball. Passing more has helped his team a lot. 5. Mcgrady- Definitely making up for lost time with continuing Houston on the right path of winning without Yao. Impressive.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DuncanMVP @ Feb 14 2007, 07:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nice analysis; however, why not have Bosh in the Top 5? I've been debating for quite some time with a friend who is a Raptors fan, and he thinks that Bosh should be considered in the Top 5. I decided to create a thread on here based off of that.</div>I love Bosh and that's my team, but it's the East. The five best teams are in the West, so my top MVP candidates are in the West too. I think that's fair. I think Bosh has crept into the top ten and maybe he'll get in the top five by season's end, but for now I'm happy with my order.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LakersFan247 @ Feb 15 2007, 06:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>5. Tim Duncan</div>How do you put Duncan over T-Mac? T-Mac has had to carry his team through half the seaosn without the best center in the league, and carried them to a record well above .500. In fact, the Rockets are only .5 game behind the Spurs, so you can't really use record as an excuse.
