HoopsHype.com NBA Blogs - Eddie Johnson

196 Comments »

1. Kingsblade Said,

   March 17, 2008 @ 7:39 pm

   I can’t wait to hear from the parade of Kobe and Lebron fans about this one.

   Should be amusing.

2. Rey Said,

   March 17, 2008 @ 8:19 pm

   In general, I agree with this assessment but the Lakers have a better record than NO… doesn’t that give Kobe the lead?

3. dabiznezz Said,

   March 17, 2008 @ 8:21 pm

   simple way to show this is biast.
   you gave chris paul a 9 for team record.
   you gave kobe a 8.
   lakers have a better record.
   so juss off a that, it would be a tie.
   kobes attitude is arguably a 10.
   but on the team record alone kobe and paul would atleasat share the mvp award.
   also sections 5,6,8,9,10 your superstars will get a 10 every time, just that gives them an unfair advantage over everyone else.
   and section 4, u shud rate players on performance and not ability.
   and i cant wait for all the “hes just a kobe fan” comments to come along!!!!!

4. koly tenguela Said,

   March 17, 2008 @ 8:23 pm

   I am so tired of people saying that Lebron is a poor defender,PEOPLE LIVING OUT OF CLICHES. Lebron can’t defend big time for 4 quarters because the load he has to carry offensively is so big but when he put his mind on it, he is as good as anyone in the league cause he is so unbelievably physically gifted.
   If you don’t believe it eddie, ask Kobe himself, he knows what a motivated lebron is able to do defensively.
   iN mvp? THERE’S THE WORD VALUABLE; so look at the records of
   all those teams without their key player; none of them is as bad than the cavs without lebron even in the weaker eastern conference.
   Chris Paul is absolutely unbelievable and in my opinion is second after Lebron in the mvp rankings but please everyone who’s trying to judge without bias know that Lebron is the best player in the NBA today.
   Judging by your so called method, the difference defensively between Lebron and Kobe or Paul is not as big than the difference between 7 and 10 and that’s what you are using for saying that those 2 guys are more deserving.
   HAVE YOU SEEN THE LAST MATCHUPS BETWEEN KOBE AND LEBRON. do you really think that this guy is not a very good defender.
   Eddie, you have always been a partial, one sided guy, like when you were trying to explain to us that your childhood buddy ISIAH THOMAS was having redeeming qualities or when you were cheering for the suns while trying to act like you were just talking about facts but this time,too much is too much. I understand your new darling are the hornets but please just recognize lebron’s greatness. Lebron is what i was dreaming about but thinking it would never happen: a cross between my two favourites players of all time, magic and jordan.
   Stop nitpicking about him and just recognize and enjoy his greatness while you can.
   AND BY THE WAY, could you ask your buddy isiah thomas to do a favor to all the true knicks fans like me and resign.

5. Top Gun Said,

   March 17, 2008 @ 8:36 pm

   I don’t understand how Chris Paul got a 10 for crunch time (he’s no Deron…lol) The Lakers have a better team record than Hornets, so that’s another mistake in your simple calculations. I also believe Lebron’s passing shouldn’t be an 8 because of the many turnovers he has. Not a big fan of Kobe like most people, but i still think he is the greatest player in the league at the moment.

   BTW, if you ask DeShawn…LeBron is overrated

6. joe Said,

   March 17, 2008 @ 8:51 pm

   i think eddie got this wrong off the bat. how does he give lebron a 9 in crunchtime and then give paul a 10. David west or peja takes those shots. crunch time doesnt neccessarily have to do with making the last shot but thats the way eddie defines it. I think anyone would agree that lebron is unstoppable in crunch time if they’ve seen him put up those important shots. i remember when he just blew by brandon roy of an inbound pass at half court with like 4 secs left. chris paul cant do that. he should be given a 8 or 9 which would give him a 98 or 99. which would put kobe aheah or they would tie.

7. Nikkiboy Said,

   March 17, 2008 @ 8:54 pm

   Agree, Paul should win the MVP. He is too young to be so dominant. Koly, this is Eddie’s blog. It is his own opinion we can disagree but we can’t be pathetically hostile towards him.

8. Sami Ahmed Said,

   March 17, 2008 @ 9:00 pm

   I would agree whole heartedly that Chris Paul is without question the league’s MVP.

   Winning aside, considering his size @ under 6 foot just look at his insane stat line :

   21.3ppg(49%fg 87%ft) 11.3apg(2.5topg) 3.9rpg 2.7spg

   Couple this with the fact that the Hornets lack roster depth they have one of the top records in the entire league (something which Lebron does not though the entire team is designed around him). There are no weaknesses in Paul’s game save his height.

   Paul = MVP

9. Zac Said,

   March 17, 2008 @ 9:08 pm

   The fact that kobe has never finished better than 5th in MVP voting, and the fact the lakers are at the top of the west and finally the fact that kobe is the best player in the world i think is enough to get him MVP this year

10. Eddie Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 9:09 pm

    Give me a break. Chris Paul is surrounded by stars like Peja, Chandler, and West. Dont give me the bullshit thing that he has ten assists per game or whatsoever that “he makes his teammates better”. God just pass the ball to Peja and he automatically gets an assist because Peja’s one of the best shooters in the league. Just pass the ball to Chandler and West, he automatically gets an assist too because they’re really strong in the paint. Paul aint an mvp candidate.

11. daniel Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 9:11 pm

    koly tenguela u seem to be making the case that Lebron is the MVP and that he is this and he is that, well u of course are entilted to your opinion. However, i disagree on a few of you points. The frist is Lebrons Defense, yes i agree that Lebron can be a good defender and at times has defended opponants really well in the 4th, however it is very clear that his defense through an entire game is not impressive and i have seen many times him get beat of the dribble, lost on screen and other defensive errors. Most of these errors are not due to ability but lack of effort. I know he carries the load for his team ALOT but lack of effort cant happen if you want to win consistenly.

    Another point is you comment of “everyone who’s trying to judge without bias know that Lebron is the best player in the NBA today.” Now i really cant agree here, defensivly, its clear that of the other candidates for the title of best player in the NBA (Duncan, Kobe, Garnett) are better on overall defenders that cant even be argued in my opionion. As for offensivly, yea, Lebron got mad offensive game but we all saw what the spurs did to him last year, ask popovic is he would be able to exploit a weakness in Kobes game the way he did Lebrons…..im doubtful.

    Finally, the MVP Voting doesnt make sense…….since Nash won it it has seemingly been re-defined and i just dont understand how someone wins the award anymore because being the best player in the game dont win it anymore….also, How Can Lebron win the award this year is Kobe couldnt win it before when he was putting up 30-35 points a game and playing for a mediocore team?

12. Ridiculous Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 9:19 pm

    So “showmanship” and “wow factor” account for twenty points in your system and “overall defensive ability” counts for ten?! Probably not the best way to build a team…

    Cleveland, in a significantly weaker conference, is seven wins behind the Lakers and LeBron scores only one point less than Kobe, but Kobe is one win ahead of Paul and Paul gets the extra point?! This makes no sense.

    Amare, with 24.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg, and little defense gets a mention, but Dwight Howard, with 21.6 ppg, 14.4 rpg, good defense, and more wins than LeBron doesn’t even enter the conversation….. strange.

13. Doug Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 9:26 pm

    this is some good stuff! CP3 is indeed MVP! it would be a shame for anyone esle to be given the award

14. koly tenguela Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 9:36 pm

    Nikkiboy,
    first of all, you need to know that i consider eddie’s blog very interesting even when i disagree with him and that i have always been respectful of him for the fact that he was taking time to read the comments and sometimes answer which is not so common.
    That said , it’s my absolute right to think that Eddie can be sometimes one sided ( if you don’t believe me, read his past columns) and to think that people who are saying that Lebron is a poor defender are making their opinions based on a cliche.
    I have no interest in disrespecting eddie but disagreeing with him doesn’t mean to me being pathetic or disrespectful.
    Once again, using eddie’s method do you really think that if Chris Paul deserves a 10 defensively, Lebron is just a 7. IS THAT REALLY WHAT YOU THINK?
    Your argument is to say that Paul is too young for being so dominant but who really has been as great and dominant than Lebron at such a young age. Lebron owns pretty much all the precocity’s records. That’s your argument, REALLY?

15. Eddie Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 9:46 pm

    Koly

    remember i am grading Lebrons defense compared to the other MVP candidates. i think he has improved greatly. don’t take it personal, i love Lebrons game. i think he will possibly wind up as the best player ever if he starts to win championships.

    He right now is the most dominant player in the game, but the MVP is about wins and production. he took a hit in the wins category and that cost him in the voting.

16. Eddie Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 9:48 pm

    Rey

    the Lakers record is better, and they have better proven talent around Kobe. So that is why Paul got a better number. no one expected this from the Hornets.

17. koly tenguela Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 10:21 pm

    daniel,
    if you have ever played basketball in your life, you probably know that it’s really hard to put big time effort and energy offensively and defensively. It has nothing to do with a lack of effort and you can’t say Lebron is not a competitor or someone who don’t want to win consistently. You are talking about a guy who lead a starting lineup made of the likes of gibson-pavlovic-gooden -ilgauskas all the way to the finals.
    “we all saw what the spurs did to him last year, ask popovic is he would be able to exploit a weakness in Kobes game the way he did Lebrons…..im doubtful”
    Please,with better teammates it would not have beeen the same. Playing with Ginobili and Parker and an all league defender in Bowen and crafty veterans like Horry, Barry, Finley etc… has nothing to do with playing with Snow, Jones or pavlovic. I’m exagerating things a little bit but you get the point. Plus don’t forget that Lebron is far from being a finished poroduct, he’s just 4 years removed from high school. Thanks God, he got some things that he need to improve on his game.

18. Stew Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 10:51 pm

    hi Eddie

    This part i dont understand, Kobe’s Team record: 8 vs Chris Paul’s Team record: 9, and you say that “the Lakers record is better, and they have better proven talent around Kobe. So that is why Paul got a better number. no one expected this from the Hornets.”

    But why is it that Garnett’s Team record: 9 when he got 2 all stars behind him???

19. Nick Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 11:03 pm

    Why does McGrady have a 10 for team record, while Garnett has a 9? Boston have the best record in the league. Also James and KG both have a 9 for rebounding?

20. MICHAEL B Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 11:08 pm

    UM, HOW DO YOU GIVE PAUL A BETTER RECORD THAN KOBE, CONSIDERING THAT 1) THEY HAVE THE IDENTICAL RECORD AT 45-21
    2) LAKERS HAVE PLAYED A TOUGHER SCHEDULE THUS FAR ACCORDING TO ESPN

    DUMBASS.

21. MICHAEL B Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 11:09 pm

    NOT TO MENTION THAT LITERALLY EVERY SINGLE LAKER IS HAVING A CAREER BEST SEASON. BUT YOU HAVE PAUL MAKING HIS TEAMMATES BETTER AT 10, WTH KOBE AT 8.

    DUMBASS, AGAIN.

22. Nadav Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 11:12 pm

    There’s no way Paul gets more points than Kobe for record despite his team being lower in the standings because of the talent around him. West is the only all-star of either supporting cast, chandler is the perfect compliment to paul, as are stojakovic and peterson. those shooters make getting assists easy. of course, Kobe has a good supporting cast, but Paul’s is not any worse. If you switch the 9 Paul got to Kobe and the 8 from Kobe to Paul, Kobe is the MVP, as it should be. Can you really tell me that the best player since MJ is going to retire without an MVP? Clearly, this is the year people are willing to give it to Kobe. Not the year he scored 35ppg or had 9 straight 40 pt games, and took a team that featured smush parker and kwame brown in its starting lineup to the playoffs in the west. How can Lebron get a 7 for record when his team would not make the playoffs in the west? One point more is all Kobe gets for leading his team through a season in which big trades have shaken up the franchise, and for overcoming an offseason that nearly broke laker fans’ hearts. I am not a laker fan - but I cannot avoid the MVP season that Kobe is having. He is most deserving.

23. Michael Bennett Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 11:29 pm

    Even though I’m one of the biggest LeBron fans in the world, and I think this season is his best season to date, and he’s the world’s best player…

    I 1000% ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU, EDDIE, that Chris Paul is the MVP right now, and hopefully at the end of the season.

    I think if LeBron played in the six games he missed (Cavs were 0-6 without him), then he’d be the #1 pick. But, right now, Chris Paul is the MVP.

    Great article, Eddie.

    PS - Do you think Byron Scott should win Coach of the Year, also? Remember, a previous article of yours gave more credit to Byron Scott than it did Chris Paul…

24. Eric Said,

    March 17, 2008 @ 11:35 pm

    Yeah even though I prefer Lebron as MVP chris paul would definitely deserve it too. Chris paul is probably the most dominant point guard today and he has led his team to a very good record in the toughest division in the league, yeah I agree with Eddie on this one.

25. Brady Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:15 am

    I agree with the fact that CP3 should be included in MVP discussion. and i agree also with the top 3 being paul, bryant and lebron.

    Where my opinion differs is that i believe, hands down, kobe bryant should win, with chris paul a close second. Kobe has been fantastic all year, doing whatever is need. some games he scores 50, some games he goes for 11 points, 11 dimes. Lebron puts up fantastic numbers, but being on a team where no one else does, certainly helps LBJ.

    Kobes numbers are fantastic, and thats with a dominant pau gasol, a inconsistent yet capable lamar odom , and a genuis pg in derek fisher. add bynum to the mix and he has alot to deal with. If kobe had tha ball in his hands more this year, like he has in past years, his numbers would be the same as lebron IMO.

    anyway. just my thoughts. would be happy to hear others opinions on my view

26. Nikkiboy Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:16 am

    koly, look at the records of NO and Cleveland. NO is in the West, in the same division with SPURS, MAVS, HOUSTON. There is no excuse for Lebron for his team with that record when he resides in the EAST. Though Lebron is the most talented individual player today and only Kobe is better than him.

27. sina Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:29 am

    you see, i’m a raptors fan, so i think CB4 is the best… no but seriously, if they give MVP to kobe, its because of pau, lamar, and it’s KOBE… ooooooooo…… AHHHHHHH, but in terms of what a player does for his team, chemistry, sportsmanship, individual talent….. pretty much everything that makes a true MVP. it’s CP3, i completely agree with you, without question. he can seriously not only run the offense, but the defense just as well

    chris paul should be MVP this year, he’s taken an underdog team and turned into one of the BEST! he is much like isiah thomas (crossover, speed, handles), but he will surpass thomas if he continues his great play. this kid is one of the more powerful PGs in the NBA, he shoots it well, he works with his team very well, is a great defensive talent (steals, power, pressure, brings about 5 boards a game). he doesn’t turn over the ball much and will surpass steve nash in assists per game in the rest of the season (recent games, he brings number like 26 points, 17 assists!!!). This guy is a triple-double threat in the future, I’m sure he’ll even get a quadruple-double in the near future. honestly, look at it any way you want; on paper, sportsmanship, wow factor… he’s got it all!

    let me just put it like this, this guy (in the future), will be a jason kidd who gets 11-12 points more per game, more steals, more powerful, more heart. he is one of those players who loves their team and has strong will power, when his team losses, it looks like he just died a little inside.

    my version, CP3 is just too good:

    CHRIS PAUL

    1. Offensive stats: 9 (this kid averages like 25+ points in the last couple game… he comes in scorching the other team)
    2. Passing: 10 (nash is nash, but this kid does what he does and turns over the ball less)
    3. Rebounding: 7 (he is like 6′ 3”, gets about 5 boards a game, he’s going to get better at it… his ability to get rebounds is 7)
    4. Overall defensive ability: 10
    5. Effort: 10
    6. Attitude: 10
    7. Making teammates better: 10 (i honestly want to give a 12, but that’s mathematically impossible)
    8. Crunch time: 10 (no question)
    9. Showmanship: 9 (while he has heart, sometimes he wants to win too bad… i guess)
    10.Wow factor: 10 (i’m sorry… but this kid sometimes does stuff i can’t even imagine in certain circumstances, he wows me ALL the time, just as much as lebron and kobe)
    11.Team record: 9

    Total 104

    the other candidates, below 100. although i think lebron is amazing, it’s CP3’s year, he’s doing it all, if only cavaliers record was slightly better, then he deserves it… actually even so, i think CP3 deserves it more, lebron should work on his defense and it’s all his…next year!

28. sina Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:34 am

    lebron is not a seven in defense, i didn’t see that, it’s more like 9.

29. zeus Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:48 am

    Lebron is nuts, but you cant give him mvp this year, if Kobe doesnt get it last year then you gotta judge and vote on those same merits. Nash deserved his 2 mvps, for one he led the suns without Amare, and the next year he led them with him, he was awesome both times, and totaly changed the game; which led to the warriors.
    I think if Houston finsihes ahead of lakers and hornets, with the best record in the west, tmac may be more deserving, but i would give it to cp3, neither kobe or lebron deserves(bc lebrons team is the 4th best in the east, and what a few games better thent he wizards minus gilbert and butler) and toronto minus chris bosh. Also with the steal LA got in pau, im taking points away from kobe, cause his team wasnt dominating the way they are now…

30. Dj Akura-C Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:49 am

    Man…
    I feel for Kobe. He puts up incredible numbers, get’s his team to the playoffs and he’s selfish. He get’s a better team around him, shares the rock, has his team at the top of the standings and now he’s not doing enough to win the MVP???

    C’mon…

    Let’s just come out and say it. Kobe was accused of having relations with a white woman… because of that the media has skwered him. No matter what he does, they will never vote for him to win the award no matter what. The hatred for Kobe has led to a very slanted attack against him that too many people have bought into.

    Growing up we were all told that the MVP goes to the best player in the league. That’s why Magic won it. That’s why Bird Won it. That’s why Kareem won it. That’s why Jordan one it. However, when you have a guy who is clearly the best player in the league for the past 5 years, they have to change the criteria of the award to avoid giving it to Kobe. Dirk who plays in both the NBA and extensively overseas states that Kobe is “the best player in the world” you can’t sell me on anyone else.

    “To me he is the best player in the world right now. That guy doesn’t know fear at all. He doesn’t care. He would have won it for the Americans single-handedly” -Dirk

    As much as I trust the opinions of ex-NBA’ers and other cats who have played competitively I must strongly disagree with the sentiment of any one other than Kobe winning the MVP this year.

    It’s over due.

31. Zac Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:50 am

    As much as i don’t like Kobe, i still think it’s his year. I think due to chris paul’s age he won’t win, he still has his whole career ahead of him. Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, Bob McAdoo and Moses Malone were all 24 when they won the MVP award so i think cp will have to wait till at least next year. I wish they would do MVP voting after the playoffs, because i don’t think new orleans will get past the second round

32. Toni Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:50 am

    Good assessments of some very good players. Although, I would like to see Chris Bosh get some acknowledgment for what he has done with Toronto. I follow the NBA a lot and when I seen some stats that showed how Toronto has played with and without Chris Bosh in the lineup it’s absolutely astounding. The opponents points per game went up nearly 15 points per game since he has been out with a knee injury and Toronto has nearly lost every game. The entire team is focused around this one player and without him the team literally falls apart. Isn’t that what most valuable player is? I’m not saying he is the MVP, my vote goes to Lebron because I have no idea how he gets that “team” to win games. Although in the next few years when Bosh improves his passing and play during crunch time, wins will follow and I would expect him to be up there with the big boys very shortly. Comments?

    Toni, California.

33. BBALL JONES Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 1:10 am

    If LeBron doesn’t win the MVP I will go nuts. First of all, I like the breakdown above, but LeBron’s stats far outpace Kobe’s. It’s true - do the stat comparison. He’s just better. So to assign both a score of 10 for stats is a disservice to LeBron.

    Kobe is the most fluid player I see in the league at this time. He has a counter for every move the defense makes. However, his ability to escape defenses is not the deciding factor for me.

    Here is my reason… and this is a leisurely verbal walk so follow along…

    If next year an 11 foot tall man comes into the league and can literally do nothing but walk down the court, turn around and throw the ball in the hoop to the tune of 60ppg he is the MVP - no doubt about - no questions asked. His one skill so dominates the league that his lack of other skills is irrelevant. I don’t care how smooth he looks doing it - the 11 footer gets it done.

    This gets me back to the Kobe/LeBron thing. Kobe is certainly a more fluid player. He is no doubt less athletic though. In fact, LeBron’s athletic edge and ability to make his teammates, his average at best teammates, better pushes him by Kobe.
    The media wants to give the MVP to Kobe this year because it is “his time” just lake David Robinson had a time. If that happens fine - it will be nice when 30 years from now we retell stories of Kobe’s career. Still, there is no question that LeBron is better.

    My point is this, just because Kobe looks best doing it - doesn’t mean he’s the best at getting it done.

34. CP3MVP Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 1:51 am

    he should win it but we all no he has no chance to get the votes to win over kobe or lebron….and possibly kg

35. André Fiola Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 1:59 am

    for the team records, why wouldnt kg have a 10 regardless of confrence? bostons got the best record in the league. Also, shouldnt kobe have a better score for team record than paul? Also the “wow factor” should be pretty irrelavant, if you were doing the same thing for steve nash the 2 years he won it,im pretty sure he would be close to a 0 when it came to “wow factor” sure the suns were fun to watch but hes not overly athletic or anything, also, when tim duncan was winning mvps he was in no way shape or form fun to watch . Other than that i agree with whatever you have up there, i still think its kobe’s unless the hornets finish way above the lakers, which could happen with no pau and bynum

36. Mr. X Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 2:01 am

    you know what? i think we should give wade the mvp for being able to get the heat into double digits in the win column. hell yeah

37. statusmvp Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 2:44 am

    its chris paul…paul is mvp….kg has a good team but he is one the east…kobe has a GREAT team so he is out of the mix…king james jus puts up great numbers…the cav’s record is horrible considerin they are on the east coast…mvp goes to chris paul

38. Ishmael Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 3:06 am

    I think you go with your heart on this one, Eddie. Kobe deserves the MVP, even if I don’t like him. Defensively, leadership, tenacity, all that stuff.

    I saw LeBron absolutely smother Kobe in a fourth quarter to dig out a game. Great performance. It’s too bad that he doesn’t do it for other games, when he’s not on national TV. A guy that athletic, and with those young legs, he could do it. He doesn’t. Even in national TV games, you feel like he’s floating through stretches. You don’t get that feeling with Kobe, unless he’s pouting, and he hasn’t done that this season.

    Funny that Steve Nash got the MVP when he was such a bad defender. But effort counts. You see Steve going at it all the time, and his effort motivates everyone else. With LeBron, it’s sluggish at times, and you see it in his teammates. And I’m not sure he’s all that offensively gifted, at least not right now. I’m tired of way too many drives and dishes that look all the same. It’s not a great assist when he’s just automatically kicking it out to a shooter. Sometimes he’s absolutely amazing, but the rest of the time it’s boring. There’s no gutsiness when he’s not totally dominating through sheer athleticism. He doesn’t bring the best out of his teammates. Just look at Damon Jones, Larry Hughes, Carlos Boozer, Donyell Marshall, Drew Gooden, all those guys who had better seasons away from LeBron. Maybe they didn’t fit in the “system”, or weren’t the best mix, but it gives one pause. Pretty much Boobie Gibson and Zydrunus made it work.

    It’s too bad MJ set the bar so high for freakishly athletic swingmen. But did MJ ever, ever get accused of mailing it in?

39. Ishmael Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 3:10 am

    By the way, I don’t think the “exceeding expectations” thing should apply to MVP candidates, or any other award. That’s how Doc Rivers got the Coach award, how Steve Nash beat out Shaq, how MJ didn’t receive the award from 87-93 and 96-98. Excellence is excellence, and Chris Paul should be judged like Kobe is judged. Save the exceeding expectations card for the Most Improved.

40. Ishmael Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 3:11 am

    Correction, I meant MJ should have received the award all those years straight, not just some of them.

41. koly tenguela Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 3:23 am

    Ishmael,
    you and all the others Lebron naysayers are going to eat your words. Remember when Jordan was badly criticized,he was considered a selfish guy who was not able to rise his teammate’s level, a guy who could not shoot a 3 for saving his life. People like you were saying that he was just a solist and a loser.Now, everyone is kissing his ass, saying that he’s the greatest ever.
    How could you say that Lebron doesn’t improve his teammates, he is not responsible of his teammate’s inability to make an open shot outside Gibson who is far from being a future hall of famer., like KG is not responsible for all the bad teams he was in during his career. Lebron got outstanding court vision and passing ability, he’s not just an athletic freak who just kick and dish like you are trying to say.

42. koly tenguela Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 3:46 am

    What a lot of people here seems to forget is that the hornets have a very good team. They nearly make the playoffs the last 2 years but got derailed by injuries. Could people compare the starting units of the cavs and the Hornets even after that Ben Wallace trade and honestly tell me that the cavs are better or at least on the same level.
    The hornets were underrated and unlucky before and this year everything is clicking for them the right way and Chris Paul is UNBELIEVABLE but you can’t downplay Lebron because he doesn’t have a great supporting cast around him.

43. koly tenguela Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 3:51 am

    Michael Bennett,
    “I think if LeBron played in the six games he missed (Cavs were 0-6 without him), then he’d be the #1 pick. But, right now, Chris Paul is the MVP.”
    what’s your argument, Lebron can’t be 1st because he missed 6 games, P L E A S E.
    P L E A S E

44. koly tenguela Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 3:59 am

    Dj Akura-C,
    Kobe is not well liked even amongst players because he has always been a very arrogant, selfish guy. His attitude is better now with age but you can’t erase an entire decade acting contemptuously in 2 years.

45. Melvin Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 5:38 am

    hey I think I’m not surprised that you picked Chris Paul! Anyway, he has a superb season… and I really feel he has to get merit for it

46. Francesco Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 5:49 am

    Sorry coach but 10 to Paul’s difense is incredible!!!

47. JJ Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 5:54 am

    It’s been interesting to hear what people have said as the season has progressed about the MVP. In the beginning, lots of people said Kobe wouldn’t win MVP because his team wasn’t very good. Then Bynum emerged and the Lakers were winning, and people started to say Kobe should be MVP. Then Bynum got hurt, and people said that that was it for the Lakers, and also for Kobe’s MVP chances. Then the Lakers got Gasol and won lots of games, and once again, Kobe was a frontrunner for the award. Yet Kobe himself has been the same player the whole time. Shouldn’t the award be less fickle than it currently is and be based on a player’s credentials, rather than the arbitrary good or bad fortune of his teammates’ health or his GM’s ability to make trades?
    You gave LeBron a higher mark than Kobe for making teammates better, but it seems to me that both Larry Hughes and Gooden have improved since leaving the Cavs. It’s a hard thing to gauge, but the one indicator I see tells me that both of those guys were not flourishing alongside LeBron. And Ben Wallace hasn’t suddenly returned to form either, as many predicted he would when that trade first went down.
    I think one of the reasons the Hornets have risen so dramatically is that all three of their young stars have improved at the same time. Garnett’s Celts are veterans and were expected to win, Kobe’s Lakers had only one dramatic improvement (Bynum), and LeBron’s team really hasn’t seen any young players emerge like Chandler, West, and Paul simultaneously have. Houston has seen guys like Scola, Hayes, and Alston step it up, but not to the same degree as the young Hornets, and still Houston has the best record in the West. In a year like this, though, I think record and seeding are mostly overemphasized in this discussion since the #1 and #8 seeds in the west are currently only five games apart.
    T-Mac has only started to be mentioned as a potential MVP in the last week. He wasn’t one of the guys that have been in the discussion all year, but an incredible run (and especially now without Yao)and the best record in the west make it impossible to ignore him. He seems to have less talent around him then Garnett, Kobe, or Paul, but still manages to keep his team near the head of the pack. If they are still there at the end of the season, I have to give the award to T-mac.

48. Roger Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 6:22 am

    what about Dwight Howard? I think he deserves some consideration
    what do you think about that?

49. Zane Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 7:03 am

    LEBRON IS THE MVP!!!!…. AND ITS NOT EVEN CLOSE

    IF HE DOES NOT WIN IT, THE MVP AWARD IS A FARCE IN MY OPINION.

    As much as I love Chris Paul and his game, he does not deserve the award over Lebron this year, neither does Kobe.

    Kobe is getting votes based on accomplishments in past seasons, the fact he has not won the MVP despite his talent, and his past reputation as a defender and clutch shooter. He is the best player to watch but this is no reason to give him the award.

    Fact is that THIS SEASON, Lebron is the best offensive player, the best defensive player, the best leader, the best talent, the best 4th quarter and clutch player in the league. Plus he has one of the worst collections of players around him.

    Have a look at the evidence in black and white for the top 3 candidates.

    POPULAR OPINION IS FLAWED, NUMBERS DON’T LIE…

    LEBRON: PAUL: KOBE:
    PPG 30.9 21.6 28.2
    RPG 8.1 3.9 6.2
    APG 7.5 11.3 5.2
    SPG 1.9 2.7 2.0
    BPG 1.1 0.0 0.5

    Offence: Lebron averages 10ppg(!!) more than Paul and 3ppg more than Kobe, he also shoots a higher FG% than Kobe. Lebron is averaging 7.5 dimes a game, 2.5(!!) more than Kobe. Paul averages more assists, being a PG, to his credit Paul is a great playmaker. Lebron leads the league in 4th quarter scoring and it’s not even close.

    Advantage: Lebron, by a country mile.

    Defence: Lebron snatches TWICE as many rebounds as Paul, and 2 A GAME(!!) more than Kobe! Rebounding is hugely important - you can’t win if you ain’t got the ball. The comparison is almost even on steals, Paul having an advantage over KB and LJ (+0.7). Lebron also blocks TWICE(!!) as many shots as Kobe - and Paul has only blocked 2 shots the whole season! PEOPLE WHO SAY LEBRON DOESN’T DEFEND CAN’T BE WATCHING CAVS GAMES OR LOOKING AT THE STATS!!

    Advantage: Lebron, also by a country mile.

    The ONLY reason I can think Lebron is not the clear cut MVP in the minds of the public is the Cavs team record. Lakers and Hornets have won 7 more games than Cleveland. SO WHAT!! Both the Lakers and Hornets have much superior rosters around their stars. Also for the 6 games that Lebron was out with injury, GUESS WHAT Cavs lost all 6!!! With Lebron healthy in those games, they may well be up there with the same record.

    The Lakers have/had Gasol, Bynum, Odom, Fisher and go deep with their bench of role players. Without Gasol, they are now losing games with Kobe taking all the shots. They also have the best coach in the world in Phil Jackson.

    The Hornets have a great but underrated team of players around Paul. Chandler is a beast on the boards and is nearly 60% from the field. Peja is deadly from the 3 point line (46%) and is closing games. David West might just be the most underrated player in the league, averaging nearly 20 and 10, and locking down opposing PFs. On top of that you have guys like Mo Pete, Rasual Butler, Pargo, and Wells. The Hornets are loaded.

    Who does Lebron have? Big Z, Pavlovic and Varejao are solid role players, West and Gibson have potential, but besides that this team is full of old, 30plus year old, washed up, journeyman players that nobody else wants. Mike Brown was shown up as a one-trick pony in last years finals. Without Lebron, this team is an absolute, utter disaster - hell, Dwayne Wade has a better cast around him than Lebron, and they are in the cellar. You just can’t say the same for the Lakers or the Hornets.

    Lebron is a positive leader, so is Paul. Both are constantly encouraging their teammates and leading by example.

    Kobe however turned his back on his team once again at the start of the season, asking them to trade one of their best players in Bynum. Without Bynum they would be worse than last year and Kobe would still want out. If Phil Jackson was not the coach of this team, Kobe would be elsewhere or hogging the ball and bringing them down. Why do you think Kobe has never won MVP?? His attitude stinks - now that the other guys are stepping up and the Lakers are a contender, he plays team ball and is happy.

    Credit Jackson for the turnaround, he is the coach of the year for turning such a bleak situation into what is now a contender, and finally getting Kobe to play some team ball - no other coach had to deal with such adversity.

    Ranking in their importance to team and MVP:
    1st - Lebron
    2nd - Paul
    3rd - Kobe
    4th - Garnett
    5th - McGrady

    0-6 WITHOUT LEBRON. NO PLAYER IN THE NBA IS MORE VALUABLE TO THEIR TEAM THAN LEBRON JAMES. MVP STANDS FOR MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. WITHOUT HIM THE CAVS ARE A CELLAR DWELLER.

    Nuff said.

50. Amit Lal Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 7:46 am

    I totally agree about Chris Paul being MVP. I think in reality it will come down to which team has the best record out west - his Hornets or Kobe’s Lakers. As of today I’d take Paul as well, but then again, if (for example) Utah goes 16-2 to close the season in first place, then U’d probably pick Deron….just sayin its still too early and far too close to decide…

    A L

51. Brian Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 8:27 am

    I understand your method but how many years must go by before Kobe gets a mvp. Chris Paul is good but not great yet he hasn’t even been to the playoffs yet. And he can’t play defense because Chauncy Billups just gave him more than he could handle sunday afternoon.And he couldn’t hold Isiah’s jock strap stop comparing them. AI is the best other little man ever.So the next time you evaulate this look at longevity and not just numbers right now. Because everytime I see him throw Tyson Chandler a alley oop I think about what is he going to do when they actually play a team with defense like Detroit, Boston

52. Truly, Truly, This is the End Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 8:28 am

    Knowing your blogs, the first thing that came into my mind was a) Steve Nash, or b) a Phoenix Sun… and I was right.

    Prostitute: Guess what I have?
    ALL: Herpes!
    Prostitute: … but it was a surprise!

53. Brian Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 8:33 am

    I’m tired of all these guys getting pumped up to be mvp and they are lames.Like Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitski who can’t even win a championship to save their lives. They Play teams coming off of back to back nights and shine but when crunch time comes they fold. Yeah the hornets may have beat the Spurs twice this season but so did the Suns last year and what happened? And Lebron had a nice little run last playoffs until he got embarresed at in the championship letting Tin Duncan strip him at the top of the key one on one so we’ll see

54. Than Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 8:48 am

    Would anyone here trade Chris Paul for LeBron James? If yes, then Paul is clearly not the MVP.

55. Gabriel Chaud Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 9:32 am

    I agree about the choice, and the method. It’s a good idea to split on categories, including on, that personality issues. But I think McGrady was a little overated and I don’t understand why Kobe get more MVP attention now, then when he had better stats. Seems like it’s bad to average 30+ ppg.

    Do you still think that Phoenix is better with Shaq?

56. Daily boy Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 9:38 am

    Co-sign CP3 is the best PG in the game right now, and I dare anyone to come up with an argument to prove otherwise. Kobe is the best player on the planet, but as for this year Paul should be the winner.

57. Forgotten Names Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 9:56 am

    K so this is the deal,
    first to koly- im guessing that you live in cleavland which is why you are all over lebron. Lebron is a great player no doubt and as eddie said has the tools and the ability to become one of the greatest or maybe even the greatest to ever play. But right now he is not the greatest. Lebron unlike players like kobe, chris paul, and tmac relies almost purley on his athletisim and streangth. Yes he does at times get hot and hit some great jumpers but for the most part all of his points come from his drives to the basket in which his size power and athletisim gives him the edge over everyone else. As soon as the NBA stops calling petty touch fouls lebron game is going to have to change drastically. If you look at skill lebron is not at the top of the league. kobe, tmac, nash, paul, baron, gilbert achieve great numbers as well but they have to do it with their great intagibles and skill level, and dont get mass amounts of help from their size and body type.

    now to get to mvp talk,
    i feel that some players names are wrongfully left out of the debate. players like antawn jaimison who is one of five players in the league averaging 20 and 10 and has kept his team in playoff contention even with the main two players on his team going down in gilbert and lebron. Also another player is dwight howard. I think with what he has done on Orlando at least merrits him to have his name put into the mix. he is also one of the leagues rising young stars and could be phenominal if he works on his offensive game. also a side mention to baron davis.

    in the end i do believe that chris paul should win the the award. he has taken his team and gone above and beyond what was expected. even though he does have good players around him he is still the central piece to their puzzle and there team would be nowhere without him. he is the only one who can create on his team aside from david west on occasion the rest are spot up shooters. Kobe is next in line and does deserve it. i just dont feel we can give it to kobe just because it is overdue. we need to give it to the mvp now and not look at past future or age in the descion.

58. Forgotten Names Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 10:00 am

    Mistakes to correct 1. the players missing for antawn jaimison was supposed to be gilbert and caron butler.
    2. the players that i felt were wrongfully left out of the discusion are not truly able to compete this year for mvp but should at least be mentioned.

59. Marco Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 10:12 am

    in my opinion i would give it to chris paul.
    but also kevin garnett should be considered.
    just because he missed 9 games everyone forgot about him.
    and just because the celtics went 7-2 (im not sure but thats pretty close) while he was gone they are overlooking him.

    i would honestly believe that if kevin garnett never came to the celtics and they were just being led by ray allen and paul pierce, the only 7-2 run they would ever make is points in a game. kevin garnett brought such a defensive attitude and brought confidence with him.

    of course chris paul does deserve the mvp since he is doing more with less and has a better record than everyone on this list other than kg.

60. tjz Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 10:12 am

    Well all of those top 3 candidates still have the same chances of being the MVP so CP3 isn’t the winner yet. Even KG and Tracy have chances if they start showing more numbers and continue winning…

61. Marco Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 10:14 am

    also chris paul needs a better nickname than cp3

62. rene Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 10:28 am

    If MVPs were to be determined by such logical rating systems, Karl Malone would have never received such a trophy.

63. Tony Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 10:49 am

    Have you looked at the NBA Standing lately ? or too busy watching Chris Paul ?

    Celtics top record… Garnett gets a 9… TMAC 2nd best record and gets a 10 … also same story with lakers/hornets

    Im not argueing Chris Paul isnt MVP… but this is aroneous.

64. Mark Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 11:02 am

    koly,

    he missed 6 games because of what? a crappy injury that he should have played with? LOL

65. Michael Bennett Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 11:04 am

    koly — Like I said, I’m the biggest LeBron fan in here. No doubt. Ask Eddie.

    What I’m saying is that because LeBron missed six games, the Cavs went 0-6 in those games, and their record is 38-30, with a snowballs chance in hell at reaching 50 Ws this year. And, voters don’t give MVP awards to guys who win 45 regular season games.

    Are you kidding? Please don’t challenge me in my LeBron knowledge and passion. I know more about the young guy than anyone. I try to watch every single minute of every game. And, I try to do the same with players like Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Amare Stoudemire, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett and Dwyane Wade… my favs.

    And, the conclusion I’ve come to is:

    LeBron is by far the best player in the world, Kobe is very amazing but nowhere near Jordan (and Kobe’s inferior to LeBron), and this year, agreeing with Eddie, Chris Paul is regular season MVP.

66. midnite breeze Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 11:16 am

    “koly tenguela Said” kobe bryant and CP3 are by far better defenders than LeBron the difference is, kobe and and cris paul have to carry their team in the 4th qtr BUT still play shut down Defense LeBron is not the only player carrying his team in the 4th CP3 and kobe do the same thing everynight but both can still come up with the defensive stop theres a reason why kobe as been on all nba defensive teams and CP3 is leading the leagure in steals.. dnt worry though im sure LeBron will eventually be good at defense he jus needs to learn that both sides of the court matter.. if MJ an kobe and Cp3 can do it.. im sure LeBron can do it too

67. hustle Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 11:41 am

    first of all you rate the player on the year not on there rap sheet. So if you look at the year there is no way that kobes crunch time should be a 10 and lebrons a 9. This year lebron has been more clutch baskets and points and the forth.

    And for defense you gave kobe a higher score than lebron, while lebron avgs more steals and blocks than kobe and he torched kobe and his team beat the lakers.

    And as far as injuries he has more man games missed and people out than anybody in the league.

    So i can understand CP3 getting love. A little but to have Kobe over lebron is looking at kobes past. all lebrons numbers are better and he makes his team better.

68. Daniel K (forgotten names) Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:00 pm

    what makes lebron the best player in the world? an inconsitent jumper, being on a team where he has to do everything so his stats are gonna be padded, and his use of his offarm and travels on a consitent basis. these are just some of the reasons that lebron cannot be considered the BEST is the world

69. koly tenguela Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:05 pm

    Michael Bennett,
    don’t worry, i’m not interested in going into a contest about who’s the biggest Lebron’s fan.
    For what you said that made me react, you need to know that english is not my first language so i struggle sometimes to understand some little nuances, so now it’s a little bit more clear and i agree with you that usually people don’t vote for players who have 45 wins.
    But for me it’s really unfair because Lebron is having an exceptional season. Chris Paul has been nothing short of amazing but once again, his supporting cast is in my opinion really superior than Lebron’s one.
    But i guess that’s how things work, so…

70. Markanthony Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:05 pm

    No suprise here…

    Chris Paul is the MVP of this league and in my opinion the best point guard in the game right now, no doubt about it.

    Lebron and Kobe are having spectacular seasons but Chris Paul…is wow. I’ve not seen a point guard like him in years! Yes that includes Steve Nash!

71. Markanthony Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:08 pm

    Side note—- Hawks fans must want to stone their management right now….lol

72. Kingsblade Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:15 pm

    “Give me a break. Chris Paul is surrounded by stars like Peja, Chandler, and West”

    Hilarious! This is the most inane statement I have heard in a long time. Ridiculous!

    Why are people talking about New Orleans as though they are some kind of allstar team? None of these guys were any good (minus Peja) before Paul came along.

    Someone else said that the lakers were all having career years because of Kobe, but the same goes for basically the whole NO team.

73. Kingsblade Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:29 pm

    Something I want to mention…

    If the inclusion of McGrady is because of the recent Rockets tear through the league, then you have to grade McGrady in his play during the recent tear, and not on his past play.

    His defense has been stellar, and has been part of a major integral team defensive effort which has happened only through his example. Over the winning streak they have been a top 2 or 3 defensive team in the league. The simple fact that he has been a big factor in developing team defense should mean even more than purely individual defensive ability.

    He also deserves a 10 for making teamates better if we are talking mostly about his play during the streak, not to mention better grades for effort and attitude.

    This is not to say that I necessarily think that McGrady should be mvp. I only bring it up because Eddie said the streak brought him into the discussion, which should also mean that the streak should be what we look at in terms of his play. He has less of a team around him than LeBron, yet they are in first place in the west right now.

    They have wonn 22 in a row basically by playing every possession like its the last minute of the game, and they are doing it right largely due to McGrady. (and Adelman…I still don’t know why the #$%$#^$#% Maloofs decided he couldn’t coach defense)

    Maybe he is not the mvp, but I am a bit surprised that nobody is talking about him here at all.

74. P Lewis James Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 12:47 pm

    Chris Paul over Kobe Bryant, get real! A first ballot hall of famer (Kobe)
    what does this guy have to do? The NO team will wilt like pasta in boiling water under the intensity, and pressure off the playoffs.How many great under six foot players have led a team to a NBA title? It won’t happen this year either. Chris Paul is a great talent but MVP. I don’t think so!

75. BBALL JONES Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 1:16 pm

    Quick not on those of you discussing Kobe/MJ - I’ve talked to several former coaches and players in the NBA and the thought is this…

    Kobe is a better outside shooter who has mastered Jordan’s footwork.

    MJ was more athletic. He was quicker and stronger to the hole. Kobe is very quick, but MJ’s quickness was on par with a healthy DWade on Kobe’s simply isn’t at that level.

76. Nikkiboy Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 1:44 pm

    Chris Paul give it to him already…

77. Stefan Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 1:52 pm

    Wow, Michael Bennett, You certainly are the authority, aren’t you. Listen pal, it doesn’t matter that Kobe is not as good as Jordan…that’s an armchair-athlete debate. What matters is the here and now, and while Lebron is certainly spectacular in many ways and may one day become one of the greatest ever, he’s not in his prime. Kobe is and is magnificent. I’ve never been a big laker fan or even a Kobe booster but this time around there’s no doubt in my mind who the MVP is.
    However, I have to admit that Chris Paul is an exciting choice, (trendy, but sensible) especially after I read what Eddie had to say.

78. Stefan Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 1:54 pm

    Um…I’m not sure I’ve figured out what the difference between showmanship and wow-factor is.
    Can someone explain?
    Eddie?
    Peace

79. Jax Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 1:54 pm

    to my mind -

    1. Kobe
    2. Paul
    3. Garnett
    4. Lebron
    5. Dwight
    6. Mcgrady
    7. Nash
    8. Baron
    and so the list goes…

80. Petro Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 3:24 pm

    Colby stinks!

81. Cordell Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 3:37 pm

    I agree totally,

    Last night, the Hornets trailed the Bulls going into the fourth quarter by like 12pts. However, Chris Paul turned on another engine in his game and dominated the last seven minutes as if Isiah Thomas had been reincarnated in his flesh.

    He wheeled, dealed, dished and scored at wheel and nobody could stop him, 37pts, 13 dimes, 3 steals. He was the best player on the floor, no question. He basically singlehandedly won the game. If the Hornets lose him with a freak injury, they will lose alot of games. I would say him and Kobe are neck and neck for MVP. They are the most valuable to their team, Lebron is close but his team has not impressed me enough to award him MVP.

82. Michael Bennett Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 5:49 pm

    Stefan — “Listen pal…” Good one. I hear the same argument from you and everyone who thinks Kobe is better than LeBron. Everyone says that “Kobe’s in his prime” and “LeBron will be the greatest ever, but he’s not in his prime” or some variation of this.

    AND IT PROVES MY POINT EVERY TIME.

    Kobe, right now, in his prime, is leading/will lead a stellar cast (Bynum, Odom, Gasol) into the Playoffs, for probably a second round exit… maybe even a first round exit if they’re paired with San Antonio or Dallas. His numbers are worse than LeBron’s… BY FAR. But, Kobe is in his prime. And, this is the best he’ll ever be.

    On the other hand…

    LeBron will reach his prime in about four to five years. I think we can all agree on that. By then, his defense will be polished and perfect, his already improved jump shot will be perfected, and he’ll be hitting 80%-85% of his free throws. He’ll be winning championships (instead of just getting there) and he’ll be leading the league in scoring. He could end up being the best player ever. I still think Jordan is and will be.

    But, RIGHT NOW, LeBron is better than Kobe. That’s what a lot of people can’t and don’t see. Like you, Stefan, they think Kobe is entitled to the “Greatest Basketball Player in the World” throne just because he’s in his prime. But, the numbers don’t lie. LeBron is better or equal at every aspect of the game except for free throw shooting and, only sometimes, defense.

    31-8-7 is better than 28-6-5. 49% FG is better than 46% FG. LeBron is better than Kobe.

83. Michael Bennett Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 5:51 pm

    Oh, I forgot to mention that you think Kobe is better than LeBron because that’s what Steven A. Smith and Mark Jackson tell you every two minutes. Because you are simple minded and can’t figure it out for yourself by WATCHING BOTH PLAYERS PLAY, you resort to regurgitating what other people say.

    Congratulations for being mindless!

84. Eddie Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 5:55 pm

    Showmanship- is personality that makes you come to the arena and see this guy play.

    wow factor—–is at least two or three times they will do something that seems out of this world.

    why dont you guys do the formula without leaning toward your favorite player.

    Garnett got a 9 for winning because boston went 7-2 without him.

    McGrady got a 10 for doing something only one team in history has done.

    remember i judged these guys against each other.

85. Laker Show Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 6:15 pm

    As we head into the final stretch of the season, the MVP discussions have began to heat up. As they have, one thing has become painfully obvious. Whether he has earned these honors or not, he will not receive them. It’s not my place to decide if Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Chris Paul, or Kevin Garnett is most deserving of this award. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Each of those players have staked a rightful claim to the award with their play this season. What is unfortunate though is that one of the favorites to win this award is not being given a fair and objective chance at winning it.

    Prior to Colorado, and the sexual assault allegations, Kobe was the NBA’s golden child. Similar to Lebron James the media had latched on to him early. A boy wonder with a squeeky clean image. That image would forever be shattered after those allegations. The story then became that of a fallen hero. Like a greek tragedy, people were entertained by the idea of an ego-driven star who had broken up a dynasty, driven out it’s other stars and Hall of Fame Coach. Kobe the villain sold newspapers and improved ratings. That is not to say that he has not deserved the criticism he has received. There is one question that deserves to be asked though. Is it truly possible that Kobe was once a model citizen and a great guy, only to one day decide do a complete role reversal and turn into the Anti-Christ? A much more feasible explanation is that he was never as clean, or as evil as his media portrayal.

    The reality is that journalists are just people. They take sides. They become offended if they are snubbed by a player, and sometimes they can be vindictive. Yet the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award is determined by the sports media. Two seasons ago Steve Nash walked away with MVP honors for the second straight season, joining an elite cast of multiple time winners. Nash had a great season, and kept the Suns afloat without the injured Amare Stoudemire. Kobe Bryant would finish fourth in MVP voting despite averaging 35.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.8 steals. His 35.4 points was the most the league had seen in nineteen seasons, since Michael Jordan averaged 37.1 in 1986-87, and he led that Lakers team to a 45-37 record and pushed them to the brink of an upset, going up 3-1 against the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs.

    Allow me remind you of his roster at that time. That team featured Smush Parker, Kwame Brown and Luke Walton as 3/5 of it’s starting lineup. Kwame Brown is stinking it up on one of the leagues worst teams and Smush Parker has been on paid vacation for most of this season by the league’s worst team. Luke Walton had his break out season the next year, but averaged just 5 points and 3.6 rebounds that season. To have led that team to 45 wins and the brink of an upset was truly an accomplishment for Kobe. Say what you will about the Cavaliers supporting cast this season, but they are innumerably better than Kobe’s Lakers team two seasons ago.

    Yet 22 members of the media didn’t even feel that Kobe was worthy of a top five vote. The 125 man panel gave him 22 first place votes, 11 second place, 18 third place, 22 fourth place and 30 fifth place votes. If cornered with the question of why Kobe Bryant failed to receive more two votes the de facto response were that his Lakers team simply wasn’t good enough. The MVP usually goes to the best player on one of the best teams. Okay, I can respect that. The media backed up that notion last season by voting Dirk Nowitzki as the league’s MVP.

    What I don’t understand is that many members of the same media have suddenly done a 180 on the criteria of MVP this season. Kobe has taken more of a backseat role this season. He has allowed his teammates to do more, and in the process the Lakers have become a better team. Even before the acquisition of Pau Gasol, the Lakers were the top team in the West prior to Bynum’s knee injury. His 28.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.0 steals is more impressive than the 24.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 0.8 blocks that Nowitzki posted en route to the MVP last season.

    Yet, there is an alarming trend in the media. Suddenly they have decided that the old criteria didn’t make much sense after all. In recent weeks the Lebron for MVP talk has picked up. The Cavs are 35-27 and in 4th place in the much weaker Eastern Conference. The Lakers are 43-18 and second in the Western Conference, despite battling injuries all season. Let’s put that into perspective. Despite playing in the much weaker conference, and thus having a lighter schedule, the Cavaliers current record would place them as a 10th seed in the west, or two seeds away from the last spot in the playoffs.

    ESPN’s John Hollinger answered some questions on his choice of Lebron James, followed by Chris Paul as his MVP candidates earlier this week. He began by explaining that 58 of the 82 games are identical between the two conferences and that it shouldn’t make a large difference in the win/loss column. I’m sorry John, but that just won’t fly. That leaves a whopping 30% of the eason where western conference teams are battling it out with much stiffer competition. Mr. Hollinger knows this well, as his power rankings are determined by a statistical analysis which calculates the Strength of Schedule. According to his own power rankings the Cavs would place as the 15th best team. The Cavs have faced the 18th most difficult schedule in the league this season. The Lakers meanwhile are even with the Mavericks for the 7th most difficult. Of the ten most difficult schedules to date, only three of those teams were in the eastern conference, topped by the Knicks at #4. If the strength of schedule means so little, then why does he weight it so heavily in his standings? In the end he would explain that he felt that Lebron was head and shoulders above the rest of the league right now, and for that reason he would get his vote. If that were the case then why didn’t he vote for Kobe two seasons ago?

    Kelly Dwyer shared his sentiments in a recent article at Yahoo Sports. He would say in that article that Kobe probably should have been the MVP in the 2005-2006 MVP race, and not have been punished for playing on an otherwise poor team. He would then explain his thoughts of why Lebron has been a better player this season and deserves the award this season. The problem here is that Kelly Dwyer wrote an article two years ago at when he picked Lebron James as his MVP then. Why the change of heart now? Does anyone honestly believe that the Cavs supporting cast is weaker right now than the Lakers was two seasons ago? If next season Kobe averaged 50 points a game beause the rest of his team died in a plane crash but the Lakers struggled, would the criteria change yet again?

    Has Lebron really surpassed Kobe as the games best player? If you look at statistics, then a strong case can be made. Lebron outdoes Kobe in just about every statistical ranking at a glance. Lebron averages 2.3 more points, 2 more rebounds and 2.3 more assists per game than Kobe. He also shoots a better field goal percentage and has more blocks. Kobe has a higher free throw and three point percentage, as well as averaging more steals. He does play a couple more minutes per game than Kobe. On the surface it seems like an easy choice if the criteria is purely on who is the better player. Numbers can be deceiving though.

    The most important difference is defense. You know, the activity that occurs during the other half of the game. Kobe has been on the all-defensive team seven times in the past eight seasons, including five first team appearances. Lebron meanwhile is an average defender. The interesting thing is that some members of the media have attempted to do the jedi mind trick on us, and convince us that Lebron has turned into a good defensive player. While I agree that his defense has definitely improved, to call him a good defender would be a stretch. Effective Field Goal Percentage is a representation which takes three point baskets into the equation of field goal percentage. Opposing small forwards have shot a 50% eFG against Lebron this season. Meanwhile, Kobe has held opposing shooting guards to a mere 44.1% eFG against him. That’s a huge difference.

    Next up is rebounding. Both players are good rebounders at their positions. The difference is the positions they play. Kobe plays 77% of his minutes as a shooting guard, and the remaining 23% as a small forward. Meanwhile Lebron plays 73% of his minutes as a small forward, and the remaining 27% as a power forward. Rebounding is primarily a responsibility of forwards, and not guards.

    Assists is a no brainer. Lebron is a better passer and more willing passer than Kobe. Kobe leads his team in assists year in and year out though. Over the past seven years Kobe has averaged 5.4 assists per game. His primary role though, is as a scorer. As a scorer, Kobe is second to none. Despite chasing Lebron for the scoring lead this season, Kobe is still the better scorer. His field goal percentage as a result of 74% of his shots being outside shots, as compared ot 61% of Lebron’s shots. Kobe shoots 45.8% efG on his jump shots though, as compared to James’ 39.3%, that’s the difference of 6.5%. The big difference difference here is that Lebron is taking 22.3 shots per game, as compared to just 20.4 by Bryant. That is nearly 7 shots less per game than Bryant took two seasons ago.

    At the end of the day you can make a strong argument for either player as the games best. Do you value Lebron’s passing or Kobe’s defense? What you can not argue though is that Lebron makes his teammates better and that Kobe does not. This is an argument that gets used seemingly any time the two are compared. Apparently averaging more assists equals out to making your teammates better. Nevermind the fact that the triangle is not an assist-friendly offense. Let’s just stick to the undeniable facts and compare the teammates of both players. The only player who has shown any significant improvement prior to being traded to play with Lebron are Drew Gooden and Carlos Boozer. Boozer was a rookie the year before Lebron came, and had a decent year with him before heading to Utah. His field goal percentage dropped with Lebron but his scoring average went from 10 to 15.5. They only played together one season. Drew Gooden saw his field goal percentage leap by 4.7% in his first season with Lebron, and his scoring average jumped by 2.8. His scoring would drop back down in later seasons.

    Ilgauskus was an all-star before playing with Lebron. He has not shown any improvement. In fact the only career high he can boast since the arrival of Lebron is in blocked shots. What has been most confusing about Lebron’s game though is that they have brought in a number of guys who have played absolutely terribly with him. One would have to wonder why Kevin Ollie saw his shooting percentage drop from 45.1% the season before playing with Lebron to 37% in the season playing alongside of him. He was only 31 years of age. Ricky Davis was traded mid-season in Lebron’s rookie season. He responded by lifting his shooting percentage by 5.7% and his three point percentage by 2.6%. Eric Snow had averaged 12.1, 12.9 and 10.3 points in his three previous seasons, while shooting 44..2%, 45.2% and 41.3%. He joined Lebron at age 31 and plummeting to 4 points per game on 38.2% shooting, despite playing a 22.8 minutes per game.

    The next season they made the moves that were supposed to move them into contention. They brought in Donyell Marshall, who had long been a deadly shooter. He had averaged 11.5 points on 41.6% from beyond the arc the season before, and had shot 40% or better from that range for the past two seasons and routinely averaged in the low teens. Yet in three seasons with the Cavs he never shot better than 35.1% from that range or averaged more than 9.3 points. Damon Jones was also brought in to space the floor. The 29 year old averaged 11.6 points on 43.2% shooting from beyond the arc and 45.6% from the field the season before in Miami. Those numebrs dropped to 37.7% shooting and 6.7 points playing under Lebron, however. The largest disappointment though was Larry Hughes. Hughes was an all-defensive player who was coming off a year in which he averaged 22 points on 43% shooting. He had averaged 18.8 points the season prior to that. Yet he never averaged more than 15.5 points or 40.9% shooting in three seasons with Lebron. He was recently traded to the Chicago Bulls and saw a 4.1 point and a 4% leap in his field goal percentage in the seven games since the trade. It’s way too early too make any determination on the impact of his latest shooter, Wally Szczerbiak, but it should be noted that in the six games since joining the Cavs he has seen his fielg goal percentage plummet by 13.6% and his three point percentage drop by 4.9%.

    I don’t want to hear how Lebron makes his teammates better ever again. There simply is no statistical analysis to support this. In fact, he seems to destroy the shooting stroke of the guys brought in to spread the floor for him. Oddly enough, the guy who for years the media has said does not make his teammates better, has indeed done a much better job.

    Perhaps the best indication is Smush Parker. Smush bounced around from team to team for a couple of years, never having averaged more than 6.2 points or shot better than 41.9%. The previous season he averaged 3 points per game. Yet he averaged 11.5 and 11.1 in two years with Kobe, having career best numbers in both shooting and three point shooting in each of those seasons. He left to the Miami Heat thsi season, where he saw his average drop by 6.3 points, his shooting percentage by 12.1% and his three point shooting by 11.5%. Chris Mihm was a 45% shooter on his career, with a career high 48.8% from the field. Not only did he have career highs in scoring average during each of his first two seasons with the Lakers but he also shot above 50% in each of those seasons prior to his injury. Kwame Brown had never shot above 49% in his career, yet he shot 52.6% and 59.1% as a Laker. He was traded mid-season this year and since that trade he has seen his field goal percentage drop from 50.3% to 35.3%. The other big man in that trade, Pau Gasol has seen his field goal percentage raise from 50.1% in Memphis to a whopping 59% alongside of Kobe, as well as raising his scoring average by 1.8 per game. Gasol is a 51.1% career shooter who had never shot better than 53.8%. The third piece of that trade, Javaris Crittenton, has sene his shooting percentage drop from 49.1% to 38% since it was made. Another mid-season acquisition in Didier Ilunga-Mbenga has seen a similar rise. He shot 31.3% from the field last season, and 39.1% in 16 games with Golden State this year. He has shot 45.5% in 14 games with the Lakers. Derek Fisher’s three years away from L.A. saw him shoot 39.3%, 41% and 38.2% from the floor. Since returning to the Lakers he has shot 44%. Laron Profit suffered a career ending injury in his first season as a Laker. In the 25 games prior to his injury though he shot 47.6%, his previous career high was 43.8% with two seasons under 40%. Jumaine Jones shot 39.1% from beyond the arc and 43.2% from teh floor playing alongside Kobe, after shooting 34.4% from teh floor and 29.5% from beyond the arc the season before. Since leaving he has never shot better than 40.5% from teh floor or 34.3% from long range. Chucky Atkins also had arguably his best season alongside of Kobe, scoring 13.6 per game while shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc. He hasn’t matched either number since.

    Lamar Odom has in the eyes of some struggled to co-exist with Kobe. In many ways this is true, as both guys like to have the ball in their hands. In reality though he had shot under 43.9% in each of his three previous seasons before joining Bryant, and never above 46% in his career. He has shot 47.3%, 48.1%, 46.8% and 50.4% in his four seasons with the Lakers. His scoring has dropped slightly, by a couple of points a game. The other odd case is Caron Butler. Caron became an all-star after being traded from the Lakers, and some might use that as justification that Kobe held him back. The reality though is that Caron averaged a career high in both points per game and in field goal percentage in his season with Kobe. His field goal percentage jumped 6.5% from the season before and was 2.9% higher than his previous career best.

    In the end, there is plenty of evidence to support Kobe making his teammates better, but not much at all to support Lebron doing so. In fact the evidence would seem to point the opposite way. You can read into that what you will. But at the end of the day members of the media will soon determine who is the NBA’s next MVP. It’s a reasonably safe bet that the name on that trophy will be Lebron James and not Kobe Bryant. In the aftermath of that you will hear a lot of rhetoric and hyperbole about why they gave him the award. What I would like to see from those very same writers though is to address the things written here. Kobe has been among the best, if not the best player in the NBA for a very long time. Yet he has never won the trophy. At just 23 years of age, Lebron is going to have many chances to hang that trophy. Kobe Bryant is not. He has earned it by the very criteria that they set out. In a perfect world he would be the 2007-2008 MVP. In reality though, that is not likely to happen. Not because he hasn’t earned it, but because too many of the people who have earned a vote simply do not like him.

86. Zane Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 7:59 pm

    Kingsblade,

    Here are the numbers on West, Chandler and Peja:

    West: PPG 19.7 REB 9.1 ASST 2.3 (All-star numbers)
    Chandler: PPG 11.7, REB 12.3 (4th in league), FG% 59.7 (3rd in league)
    Peja: PPG 16.1 REB 4.4, 46% 3FG (6th in league)

    West is a bondafied all-star, Chandler is a great defensive player, and Peja is a former all-star and has played well in the 4th for NOH. They just don’t get their props. Then you have Pargo, MoPete, Wells and Butler. Chris Paul has a very good roster around him, and Kobe has an even better team around him.

    Compare this to the guys starting next to Lebron:
    Big Z: PPG 13.4 REB 9.5
    Big Ben PPG 5.4, REB 8.3, ASST 0.4 (ouch)
    Wally: PPG 9.2 REB ,2.8 ASST 1.8, FG% 31.3 (ouch)
    West PPG 9.9, REB, 3.9 ASST 4.2, FG% 42.6

    None of these guys would even get a starting spot on the Hornets OR the Lakers! And the fact is that they were even WORSE off before the trade!

    If you traded Lebron, for Kobe or Paul - the Hornets and Lakers would the NO 1 contenders, and the Cavs would be a .500 team at best.

    LEBRON IS THE MVP. NO DOUBT.

87. Daniel K (forgotten names) Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 8:04 pm

    Michael bennett- dont forget that lebrons stats are padded because of the fact that he is forced to do everything on his team. where kobe has fisher and odom both who are good passers to compliment him, lebron has no one so he has to create everything for his team. kobe dosnt need to do everything anymore. also lebrons fg percentage is a little higher due to the fact that way more of his takes are layups or dunks. he also gets more rebounds a game because of his body and size and shouldnt be looked at as a factor of whether he is better or not.

88. Zane Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 8:09 pm

    Also, Lebron is the most productive player in the league - of this there is no arguement because it’s not even close. You would expect him to average the most turnovers by far.

    But he is in fact tied with Kobe for just 5th in the L at 3.4 TOPG, and Lebron has a much better assist-to-turnover ratio than Kobe.

89. Isaac Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 8:44 pm

    Kobe’s record is only rated a 8 because his team boasts a deeper bench then New Orleans as well as premier players in Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. I understand that the Hornets have David West but other then that, their is no other legitimate scorer. And the reason Kobe’s attitude is only rated a 9 is because in the beginning of the season, he asked to be traded and Paul, who’s team did not make the playoffs last season, did not complain at all. I’m not saying Chris Paul is the better player and neither am i saying that he is the mvp but rather answering some of the questions asked by the millions of Kobe fan boys

90. Kevin Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 9:12 pm

    Apparently “wow” factor is more important that let say “defense” or “leadership” or “hustle”.

91. Rashidi Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 10:33 pm

    MVP games played
    Dirk: 78
    Nash: 79, 75
    KG: 82
    Duncan: 82, 81
    Iverson: 71
    Shaq: 79
    Malone: 82, 49 (of 50)
    MJ: 82, 82, 80, 82, 82
    Admiral: 82
    Hakeem: 82
    Barkley: 82

    Anyone notice any trends? The MVP has traditionally been given to the stars who haven’t missed many games. Other than Iverson’s fluke and the Nash exception (team wasn’t elite but was better than expected without Amare) no MVP in the last 15 years has played less than 78 games, i.e. missed more than 4 games.

    At best, the chances of being named MVP when missing 11 games (Iverson) are extremely slim. This is also a big reason why Shaq only has one MVP to his name as he would usually miss 10 games a year in his prime.

    Paul Pierce is leading Boston in scoring and hasn’t missed a game - he is more of an MVP candidate than KG. 9 games (what KG has missed) may not seem like much, but that’s 11% of the season right there. It’s tough to name a guy league MVP when he’s only 3rd on his team in total points. In short, if a guy is going to play less than 95% of the season, he better seperate himself considerably from the other candidates to even be in the discussion. Garnett simply hasn’t done that, although if MVP voting were done in December he’d have been the consensus winner. And for as impressive as Houston’s streak is, it’s not like T-Mac is averaging 30 points and willing his team to victory, he has had quite a few poor shooting games in the streak. What it does mean is Rick Adelman should get Coach of Year but that’s a post for another day.

    My rankings
    1. Chris Paul: 64 of 66 gms (missed 2)
    2. Kobe Bryant 66 of 66 gms (missed 0)
    3. LeBron James 62 of 68 gms (missed 6)
    4. Dwight Howard 69 of 69 gms (missed 0)
    5. Steve Nash 65 of 66 gms (missed 1)
    6. Tim Duncan 63 of 67 gms (missed 4)
    7. Dirk Nowitzki 66 of 67 gms (missed 1)
    8. Amare Stoudemire 63 of 66 gms (missed 3)
    9. Paul Pierce 66 of 66 gms (missed 0)
    10. Baron Davis 65 of 65 gms (missed 0)

    Honorable mentions: Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Chauncey Billups

    Disqualified List
    Kevin Garnett - 57 of 66 gms (missed 9)
    Tracy McGrady: 51 of 66 gms (missed 15)

    Paul deserves to win MVP based on how his team has performed, a lot of people did not even have them making the playoffs yet they have a better record than all the household names that they show on ESPN and TNT every week.

    HOWEVER, since the media votes for MVP, it’s going to Kobe or LeBron unless something drastic happens between now and April (like the Lakers falling to the bottom of the playoff bracket).

    I also went over in a previous blog how no MVP in the last 20-30 years has come from an NBA team that didn’t have at least a top 4 record in the league.

    These teams are
    Celtics: 53-13
    Pistons: 49-18
    Rockets: 46-20
    Hornets and Lakers: 45-21

    And of course, the Suns, Spurs, Mavs, Jazz, and Magic are literally right behind them and a lot could happen between now and the end of the regular season.

    That would seem to disqualify LeBron although with the stats he is putting up a lot of people are probably willing to make him an exception.

    However as things stand, given history, Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant are the only players that should be in contention for the award. Boston, Detroit, and Houston have gotten by on depth and teamwork rather than one player excelling. The Hornets and Lakers belong to their respective star, and both have inarguably been the best player at their position this year. (If Cleveland can go on a 10-15 game win streak to close out the season that would put him at their level, as he is inarguably the best player at his position too. It’s not impossible, just improbable - you can say the same for Dwight Howard and Orlando btw).

92. Kingsblade Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 10:57 pm

    “it’s not like T-Mac is averaging 30 points and willing his team to victory, he has had quite a few poor shooting games in the streak. What it does mean is Rick Adelman should get Coach of Year but that’s a post for another day.”

    Adelman does deserve coach of the year, but since when does an MVP need to average 30 points? What he has done is lead his team to the second best winning streak in history. I see your point about missed games though.

    I need to mention again that I am not really trying to say that I think he should be MVP, but he has certainly merited a consideration. Have you watched many of the games? He is finally actually filling a leadership role that has been asked of him for years.

93. Melvin Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 11:05 pm

    lengthy discussions there… still i feel paul deserves it the most!!! I have a poll about mvp… bryant or paul? vote now!!
    http://basketballnonsense.blogspot.com/

94. Rashidi Said,

    March 18, 2008 @ 11:38 pm

    Oh and Bennett, t