Kobe is By Far the MVP
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by user The Beast
He has won three NBA championships, been All-Star Game MVP twice, scored 81 points in one game, won two scoring titles, and has scoring over 50 points in four consecutive games. So how can any player with this impressive resume, not win an MVP. Maybe it’s because Phil Jackson is right, the NBA and everybody hates him. For whatever reason, most Hoops fans east of California all seem to despise Kobe in one way or another. On addition, the NBA clearly has moved past the notion that Kobe is not the next Jordan and the LeBron is, despite Kobe being a better all-around player. Whether people like him or not, it is clear he is deserving of the league’s Most Valuable Player.
The league’s two most prominent MVP candidates are Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. Dirk Nowitzki has lead the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA best 56-11 record. The seven foot German is averaging 37.0 minutes, 25.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Reigning MVP Steve Nash leads the most exciting offensive attack in the league and the Suns hold a 52-16 record. The two-time MVP is averaging 35.4 minutes, 19.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 11.6 assists.
Despite leading a team with just five games over .500, Kobe is clearly the league’s MVP. By definition, MVP stands for Most Valuable Player. Kobe is clearly has more valuable to his team than either Nash or Nowitzki. Take away Kobe from the Lakers, and LA is in the Greg Oden sweapstakes. A few nights ago Kobe Bryant beat the Memphis Grizziles. The Lakers didn't beat the Grizzlies, Kobe did. He scored 60 points in just over 45 minutes, while the rest of the Lakers managed to score just 61.
Do you think that if Dirk or Nash was absent for the entire season that Dallas or Phoenix would miss the playoffs? Of course not! Both teams are composed of multiple All-Stars. Dallas has Josh Howard, who became an All-Star this year, Jason Terry, Devin Harris, Erick Dampier, and Jerry Stackhouse. I think that is a lineup that could sneak into the playoffs without Dirk. Phoenix could even contend for a title without Nash. Leandro Barbosa is an excellent backup for Nash and he could still be a poor man’s version of Steve Nash. The Suns are also stacked with a lineup that includes All-Stars Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudamire. No Laker, besides Kobe, has EVER appeared in an All-Star Game. The amount of talent that Kobe works with is far more inferior to the kind of talent that Pheonix and Dallas have on their rosters.
Picture this, as Steve Nash drives the lane he could throw it up to Amare Stoudamire. On the other hand as Kobe drives the lane he can throw it up to Kwame Brown. See the difference. Maybe Kobe could average more assists with a player who isn’t missing a pair of hands.
Others feel the MVP is about being the best all-around player or the most outstanding. Again Kobe is that guy. He has far better stats than Nash and Nowitzki. Kobe is averaging 30.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists while playing over forty minutes a night. In addition he has scored over fifty points in four consecutive games. With his ability to be a playmaker, three point shooting, and driving ability, Kobe is clearly an all-around offensive threat. What separates him further from Nash and Nowitzki is his defensive ability. He has appeared on the NBA’s All-Defensive team six times. On the other hand, Nash and Nowitzki have a combined ZERO appearances. In addition to carrying the offensive burden, Kobe is also assigned to guarding the other team’s best player. If the Lakers play Cleveland, Kobe would guard LeBron, Nash would guard Eric Snow, and Dirk would guard Drew Gooden.
Like it or not Kobe Bryant is the best all-around player in the NBA and is by far most valuable to his team.
http://socalsportsblog.wordpress.com/2007/03/24/kobe-is-by-far-the-mvp/
