As we continue to hand out our choices for the NBA's end of the year hardware, today we take on what is likely to be the most hotly contested award: the one for Most Valuable Player. It was a two-man race, and here are the results:
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Chris Paul
3. LeBron James
Kobe edges out CP3, by a count of three first place votes to two (out of six ballots). Kevin Garnett received the other first place vote. Kobe also received a second place and a third place vote, while Paul received two votes each for second and third. Wait a minute, that means someone left Kobe off of their ballot. Care to explain that one, Tom?
"Kobe's numbers show a poor man's LeBron. If LeBron had Bynum for three months and Pau for the other two, along with two good PGs and the bench L.A. has, he'd have 53 wins, too. Hell, he'd have 60 wins. (Also, I hate Kobe.)"
Fair enough, I guess. Reasons for Kobe ranged from the fact that Paul had a better supporting cast for most of the season, the fact that Kobe's not owned by a single player the way Paul is by Deron WIlliams, and that with Kobe instead of LeBron, the Cavs would likely be better than a four seed.
A decent argument can almost certainly be made against all of those statements, which is why this award is so close this year, especially between Kobe and Paul. I just think that this is the one year that Kobe's maintained his numbers, while finally making those around him better. Is Chris Paul doing the same thing? Probably. But after years of being considered the league's best player, it's time for Kobe to be officially recognized for it by finally receiving the MVP trophy.
Previously at FanHouse:
Who Is the NBA's Best Sixth Man?
Who Is the NBA's Most Improved Player?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-09-2008 @ 5:32PM
radja said...
lebron ahead of garnett is a travesty.
if he's a mvp his team has to be at least top 2 in conference.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 5:45PM
I-Win said...
Oh please, a guy whines all year long and then his TEAM IMPROVES, THE TEAM STARTS WINNING, and the prima-donna named Kobe Bryant deserves an award?
LOL PLEASE...
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 5:52PM
Samuel Montes said...
how do you comment on past articles?
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 6:06PM
Ryne Nelson said...
This post is destined for 20+ comments, but let me say this before it gets completely out of hand: Finally, we have a *realistic* MVP list! Kobe will be MVP whether he's deserving or not (although I personally think he is).
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 6:08PM
alejandro de Castro said...
IWin, You're ad hominem attacks aside, you have failed to understand Brett's logic. Kobe has maintained his numbers, on top of his team being on the top of the West the entire season. Both Bynum and Pau have missed considerable time this year and oh, Kobe is playing with a torn up right pinkie. And you make the argument for Garnett? That just shows your bias against Kobe. You say that he is more deserving, yet fail to give any evidence to back up your statement. If Kobe is undeserving because his team got Pau, then why should Garnett be any more deserving, when they have Pierce and Allen on their team, in a considerably worse conference. And Garnett missed quite a bit of time as well, and the C's kept on winning while he was out. C. Paul is a deserving candidate, as is Kobe. My nod goes to KB24 though, especially looking at how well his young guys are playing right now. One last point, if you think you can do better than B Edwards, go ahead and do it.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 6:15PM
frank said...
DOC RIVERS ( not a player but playing himself to others and for one) and here is why :
To have 80 % of his roster ( players) not knowing each other , creating an atmosphere and a rhythm that can be follow 100 % from the get go for each and every player involved ( new and old ) is really and truly remarkable , if you get my point.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 6:30PM
Nora said...
Notice how when Pau was injured there seemed to be quite a few more losses for the Lakers. Kobe is not the MVP.
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 9:10PM
DM said...
Another biased post by a Kobe lover. Kobe Bryant making around him better? He is not an assist man like Chris Paul. He is not making around him better, he is just taking less shots. I believe it comes down to whose team ends the season better. If the Hornets ends at no.1 in the west, it's a no-brainer.
"But after years of being considered the league's best player, it's time for Kobe to be officially recognized for it by finally receiving the MVP trophy."
This is not the Oscars, Kobe Bryant is not Martin Scorsese, keep that in mind.
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 1:08AM
West Covina Attorney said...
It should be a first place tie between Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett.
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 1:14AM
andre said...
Laker and Kobe seem to think the world revolves around LA. Ever since wanting to prove he's "the Man" in LA, getting rid of Shaq, Kobe hasn't won squat. He's got a team around him now but if one is out and he takes the majority of the shots, they tend to still lose. On the other hand, Chris Paul has "out Nashed" Steve Nash, one of the best point guards the NBA has ever seen. Without Paul, N.O. would be nowhere near where they are. Paul has great personal numbers but he makes his team better and they are ahead of Kobe and the Lakers in more ways than one.
No denying Kobe is a phenomenon but he doesn't embody MVP material. He's an impressive hot shot who needs the spot light.
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 1:51AM
agranon said...
LeBron mvp. cavs win it all this year. no question
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 3:03AM
Martin d'Orléans said...
Lebron is great but his team is mediocre. Kobe's team is good now but when Gasol and Bynum aren't there, they don't win. Garnett is surrounded by a great team. Chris Paul is the only one putting up stellar numbers PLUS making his team better. Why not give it to a great individual and team player instead of wanting to reward just the media favorites?
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 8:36AM
James said...
"the fact that Kobe's not owned by a single player the way Paul is by Deron WIlliams,"
Kobe's not owned by a single player? Does the name LeBron James mean anything to you?
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 1:35PM
angryguy77 said...
KG is the MVP, period. Without him the celtics are not in the picture. His arrival turned the team around. To say that he is surrounded by more talent and that they are in a weaker conference is bull. They are 20-5 against the west this year and kicked three good teams in the sack their last trip. I think that throws the "weaker conference" argument out the window. He does have a good team around him, but it is his arrival that has made boston the #1 defense in the league. Over looking him as a candidate is bs. I don't seem to remember the Kobe talk before Gasol came aboard. And for CP, he is worthy of the award himself, but I don't believe he has given his team the greatest turn around in NBA history like KG.
Reply
4-12-2008 @ 2:35AM
Buvi Duvi said...
The only people in the NBA who think Kobe should be MVP are the Lakers. The Cavs would be a sixth seed with Kobe instead of LeBron. Kobe is just LeBron's little bitch and thats all. Paul is going to be the MVP anyways so why are we arguing. Laker fans aren't worth it and I am done with this. They will never see the light that Kobe is great, but not MVP great. It is really funny when they cry though. Kind of like their best player. LOL!!!!!
Reply
4-13-2008 @ 12:40AM
STORMRIDER said...
Injuries+,New Team mates+ Top Defender in the NBA+, Pacific Champs= KOBE MVP
Reply
4-14-2008 @ 6:34PM
Kenneth Weibel said...
When do they pick this years MVP ??
Reply