Kobe is no MVP
Kobe, Kobe, Kobe...I would like to know why so many people are calling for Kobe Bryant to be the 2005-06 NBA MVP. "Kobe scored 81 points in a game"...so what? That makes him the MVP? That put him in the lead for the scoring title and nothing else.It seems like all people care about anymore is scoring, and that team play like the Pistons, Spurs & Suns is "boring". I hear people giving Kobe credit for "leading the Lakers into the playoffs"...ummm, they have the 7th spot in the west, that's not much to celebrate. It's already bad enough that people are praising him for scoring 40 points in losses. The only thing the Lakers have to thank for their playoff slot are the Jazz, Sonics, and Timberwolves for having horrible seasons. It almost makes me forget that Phil "The Zen Master" Jackson is coaching this team.
Scoring the most points in the NBA is never a reason to award anyone the most valuable player award, that's why there's a scoring title. Although players have won the MVP and scoring titles in the same season before (it's been done nine times by five players; Pettit +2, Chamberlain +2, Abdul-Jabbar, McAdoo, & Jordan +3), the award is for playing unselfishly, having a positive impact, and being a leader on the court for a winning team, not simply for scoring.
The last time the MVP was awarded to a player not on one of the top teams in the league was in '88 (Michael Jordan).
Fact: Kobe Bryant is not and will never be Michael Jordan. The only number Kobe will have over him is total points scored in a career because if Kobe plays as long as Jordan did, he'll have played seven seasons longer than Jordan (didn't go to college and probably won't retire and come back twice). Well, he'll beat him in turnovers too.
I've never really understood why every big scorer gets the Jordan comparison. Vince Carter, Grant Hill, Anfernee Hardaway, and many more haven't filled the shoes so why keep comparing?
Like it or not, Steve Nash and Chauncey Billups are the top candidates for MVP this season, and statistically, it's pretty even. Nash is having a slightly better season than last year with 3 more points per game, but averaging 1 less assist per game. He's also succeeding despite the injury problems that Phoenix has had this season. Winning your division without your top scorer is pretty hard to do. Since he's the reigning MVP and put up just about the same numbers, he should get it, right?
Well, there's a player named Chauncey Billups who led the Pistons to the top record in the NBA and is a threat to Nash's possible back to back MVPs. Chauncey is having a career year in points, assists and 3 point percentage. While the stats are nearly identical, there is one significant difference: Nash has 3 more assists per game than Billups, but is 3rd in the NBA in turnovers while Billups is 48th in the league in turnovers and #1 in assists per turnover.
While Billups poses the biggest threat, Nash deserves it more. The Phoenix Suns succeeded without Amaré Stoudemire, who only played 9 games, and Kurt Thomas, who missed 30 games. Meanwhile Shawn Marion, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, James Jones, and Eddie House all had career years...and don't forget that they played without Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson who were traded in the offseason.
The voting should go like this:
1. Steve Nash
2. Chauncey Billups
3. Dirk Nowitzki
4. Kobe Bryant
5. LeBron James
6. Dwayne Wade
So Nash gets MVP...and Kobe goes home with the scoring title and a first round exit from the playoffs.
posted by CrazyRay @ 7:36 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I hate how seemingly there continues to be individuals who hate on kobe. Quite frankly, these haters have no substantive reason to dislike the guy's game. Those who complain that he shoots too much have no idea about the lakers system and as well as kobe's predicament. Those who criticize him for not making his teammates better once again have no idea what they are saying especially considering the fact that lamar is the facilitator. If kobe doesn't win MVP this year, he'll never will. That being said, everytime he doesn't win the mvp (including previous years), I'll regard him as one who got robbed year in and year out.
Come to think of it, the mvp award is less credible than what it used to be. When MJ won it, the definition back then entailed the best player in the league but this year the definition has changed to once again rob kobe. If the definition involved making teammates better, then stockton shouldve won it. It seems like the definition almost always alters yearly, perhaps to once again keep the award from kobe.
Speaking of stockton not winning it, Nash is the most overrated player in the league and the most overrated MVP in league history. If he wins again, the nba has lost all of its credibility, not to mention it would be a travesty. Nash is overrated because assists are overrated. I say this because you are only a good passer if the receiver can capitalize on the opportunity. Given this, he is surrounded by all-stars and quite possibly the most complete team (their bench is outstanding) so it is almost expected of him to average 10 asists. I'm sure if kidd or knight were on the suns, they would put up similar numbers. That being said, I do think he is a great offensive
pg but my other gripe is with those people who exagerate his ft%. The guy shoots less than 4 fts a game so I'd much rather be in awe of someone who shoots 10 a game while maintaining 85%. Simply put, Nash has found himself in a fortunate situation and he is thriving from it, thus conceivablly the mvp award is circumstantial like it has always been.
Regardless, those who followed laker games, would be able to discern that if kobe's teammates were more productive, he'd average around 7+ assists per game. I'm sick and tired of refuting claims of why kobe shouldnt win the mvp because I would be just repeating myself. I have realized that kobe has justifiable reasons to win the mvp and many are past the fact that he is the best but there are a select few who continue to hate him despite what he does. This unfortunate but nothing can be done about pure hatred.
Speaking of pure hatred, the mvp award is becoming more like a popularity contest. Kobe wont win the mvp cuz the media unjustifiably hates him. If you look at polls regarding who should win mvp across espn, yahoo, and so forth, kobe garnered the most votes thanks to fans but obviously this will not have any implication on the voting whatsoever as the media is predisposed to hating kobe.
It is unbelievable, kobe has yet to win a seasonal award, yet we mention him as one of the greatest. This speaks volumes, hence perhaps maybe it is a good thing if he doesnt with this dubious award. Anyways, If kobe doesnt win it, my vote goes out for dirk.
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