NBA Narrows MVP Race

Now as you can read by the article title, I did conclude that this year's MVP awards will most likely go one of three guys, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or Dwyane Wade. These three dynamic players have shown us that they can carry a team using their wide range of skills in each aspect of the game, to make their self and their team play at an even higher level.

Now lets get to the contestants

1. LeBron James is proving more and more to be one of the most dominant and feared players in the league. His team is carrying the best record in the NBA, has the best record in franchise history, and if the season ends with the same layout it has right now, teams will be dreading the Cavs home court advantage through out the playoffs and potential finals. So far they have only recorded one loss at home. Back to LeBron. LBJ this season is averaging 28.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. He has used his feared set of skills, versatility and his strength to make his own shots or break down a defense and some how launch the ball to the open man. He does it all with the court vision of a top performing point guard. But one thing that defenses had to adjust to this year is his improved jump shot. This gives LeBron a complete arsenal of skills which makes defenders have to play up on him not giving him too easy of a shot. Also, at the same time, not giving him that step too easily to get by the defender and power his way to the hoop. Now I’ve heard good nicknames before but nothing matches with a player more than “Video Game James”, because there’s not much this guy can’t do. And if that doesn’t put the icing on the cake, then I should also mention he has recorded 7 triple-doubles this season so far.

2. Now don’t slow down LeBron, because Kobe is trailing right behind you. This is a hard decision for the No. 2 spot between Dwyane Wade and Kobe himself. So I broke it down, and since Kobe was Mr. MVP last year and playing as talented as his MVP performance last year, I have to give him at least the second spot in my ratings. He deserves it. Now we all know Kobe can do to any defense in the NBA, and he has one of the best all around games in the NBA. This year, he has gave his Lakers the second best record in the NBA and been averaging 27.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5 assists per game. He had twelve games so far were he scored more then 35 points, including three 40+ games, and a 61 point game. Just another year for Kobe and possibly another MVP, it will - shouldn't, but will - be a close one.

3. It hurts even me to put Dwyane Wade at No. 3, but it’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll. Let’s just say the competition isn’t easy. Although, with a guy like Dwyane Wade, it looks like nothing is hard for him. Last year the Heat went an amazing 15-67, with an injured Wade who only played 51 games that season due to a separated shoulder. If somehow you haven’t noticed he’s back, he will let you know. He is averaging 29.9 points, 5 rebounds, 7.5 assists per game. In another way to look at things, he ranks No. 1 in NBA for points per game, No. 8 in assists per game, No. 2 in steals per game, and is in the top-20 in blocks. A SG being that high in bpg is just sick. If this hasn’t convinced you this guy is the real deal, then just turn on the TV and watch the Heat’s game. We know now that this guy shouldn’t doubted when it comes to if he still has it in him, because it’s obvious he does.

When it comes down to realizing who is the top guy, who is most valuable to their respective team, and who the league just cannot do without... it is only one man. Sorry, but if you do not think LeBron James is the 2008-09 NBA MVP, then you do not know much about basketball.


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Lucas Cipkowski
thelovefornets@yahoo.com
FANdemoniumSports.blogspot.com

It's MVP, not POY

Man, what a day of basketball yesterday, huh? I mean, Christmas basketball is always sweet, but we had the stars out for show. There were some nail-biting games, most of them being playoff(or Final)-previews. We had everything from a game where one team only scored 30 points in each half, to a buzzer-beating three to win the game, to last year’s NBA Finals matchup.

I got to thinking during the Lakers-Celtics game, and starting writing down some notes about the MVP of the league this year. I got to see a good portion of the candidates last night: Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, DAwight Howard, Amar’e Stoudemire, Shaq?, LeBron James, Brandon Roy. Although most of the candidates were there some did not have a game yesterday… namely, Dwayne Wade who could be a main contender till the end.

Those are the possibilities for MVP this season, unless someone rises from the mist. It is going to be another close race; there is not one clear-cut winner. Last year it was a two-man race with CP3 and Kobe. However, we will be lucky to see that this year. Different from last year, we are going to see likely a four-man race. The front-runners in my mind are Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade, Kobe, and LeBron James. Don’t get me wrong, there very well could be a guy that ups his game and gets in the mix because we aren’t even midway, but I see it as these are the guys to beat. If you want me to break it down even more for you, I will. I, personally, think that this season’s race will come down to two men… the two best players in the world. Kobe vs. LeBron.

There was an interview with Kobe and Magic Johnson last night, and I found something very interesting in it. The magic Johnson asked Bryant when he was going to be ready to hand the torch off to LeBron as being the face of the league and best player. He noted that Larry Bird and he handed it down to Michael Jordan. MJ then gave it to Kobe. They were wondering when the time would come and we would see the Kobe-to-LeBron exchange. Well, if you ask me, when LeBron 1) wins the MVP award or 2) wins the Championship (likely same season)… that basically means that LeBron is the main man. Whether Kobe is ready or not. When one of those two things happens, that means that Kobe is forced to pass the torch, in my opinion. By the way, Kobe said that he will pass it on when he retires. It’s going to be earlier than that my friend. To view the entire interview, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzvVhV8frY8.

Back to the MVP discussion. One thing that I have always kept in mind when awarding a player is what the abbreviations stand for. MOST **VALUABLE** PLAYER. Keyword is “valuable”. It is not POY, Player of the Year. That means, stats do not mean much. It means it is not what a player does for himself and the box score, but what he does for his respective team. I think the phrase “team players” needs to be brought into the debate. What a player does to make the team better. A player’s team may suck but he averages 35 points. Well in that case, I don’t think he should even be in the race.

There has been people that think the MVP should go to the most valuable player of the team that wins the entire thing. Crazy or not, I don’t think that’s a half-baked idea.

Which team, in your mind, would be more screwed with out their star? Miami Heat? No, they have Marion and Beasley. Los Angeles? Nah, they have an entire team full of gunners (Gasol, Odom, etc). Well what about the Cleveland Cavs? Umm... let’s think… Who else do they have? Well… nobody. BINGO.

LeBron James is all that the Cavaliers have, and without him would they be anywhere? Without Kobe and Dwayne, their teams can still compete. Cleveland cannot compete without LeBron. He is the most valuable player, to his team, in the league.

James is tearing the league up; he looks like he is back in high school to be honest. He is averaging 27 points per game, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per. Those are, without a doubt, the best overall numbers his career has seen. But the big stat, that less and less people look at, is the 22-4. 22-4 and right behind the Boston Celtics. In the past, LeBron has been amazing but his team fizzles. This is the best group he has been with and he is playing at his prime. Well, I shouldn’t say that… Is there more in the tank? Have we seen his best?

‘Bron deserves it not just because of individual performance, but because of leadership. He is a team player; he is the most valuable player. Savor it Kobe, because the time is nearing.


As always, I urge you to leave your thoughts on this post in the comment section below. I really appreciate your responses.

Justin Hulsey
StLDieHard24@gmail.com
www.thejaystick.blogspot.com
www.collegesports-fans.com Mizzou/SLU Correspondent