[kzero]

In regards to stats and MVP: If you guys watched LA vs Dallas, the Mavs double teamed Kobe hard 40 feet away from the hoop every time he touched it down the stretch. All he had to do was pass to Odom or Gasol and those two could play hot potato all the way to the cup. There's a difference between stats and impact on the game.

[EHL]

Based on the voters' flawed criteria, Bryant should get it this year; his team is elite, his stats are elite, and he's never won before. KG would have this locked up if he hadn't won it in 04, but he did. Paul would be the winner if he was Jordan or he wasn't so young, but since he clearly hasn't been better than Bryant or KG (or LeBron certainly), he won't get it this year unless the Celtics and Lakers absolutely collapse these last two weeks and NO wins out. The "newness" factor is a big deal with voters, that's why Duncan didn't win it in 05 despite the fact that both he and Shaq were clearly superior players impact-wise to Nash.

[Plastic Man]

So if a win against the Knicks and a 33/15 with 2 turnovers does good for Paul's campaign, what does a 26/10/6 with 0 turnovers and game clinching FTs in a win against Dallas do for Kobe's?

I kid, I kid.

[Prolific Scorer]

Who expected New Orleans to be where they're at right now? Who would've expected average *** David West to be an All-Star? Who would've expected Tyson Chandler to go from 5 Points and 8 Boards to being a daily double double?

Chris Paul did...

Chris Paul for MVP 2008

Paid for by Prolific Scorer

[EHL]

^ David West is a legit power forward in the NBA, his development has nothing to do with Paul. Paul did not give him a killer mid-range jumper or aggression inside. He just gave him a few more looks per game.

[Prolific Scorer]

Originally Posted by EHL

^ David West is a legit power forward in the NBA, his development has nothing to do with Paul. Paul did not give him a killer mid-range jumper or aggression inside. He just gave him a few more looks per game.

Yeah but Paul made him an AS...David West without Chris Paul is a rich man's Udonnis Haslem.

[EHL]

Originally Posted by Prolific Scorer

Yeah but Paul made him an AS...David West without Chris Paul is a rich man's Udonnis Haslem.

rofl.

[Blue Magic]

Fact is, yes, LeBron has the best stats in the league, but with 1/3 less wins than the best team, it's just not happening.

Paul is a young'n. At the end of the day, his teams record will pretty much be just as good as Kobe's, give or take a game or two. Taking into account the fact that the Lakers have been plagued by injuries, Kobe has been ballin up like this for the last 5-6 years, and Kobe has yet to win an MVP award. I think all else being equal, Kobe gets the nod here over the new kid on the block.

As for KG, He used to be my all-time favorite player. I respect him alot and I like the intensity he brings to everything he does. He is a genuine guy and a great guy off the court, but in b/tween the whistles he will be your worst enemy. He will get under your skin and he does all the little things to help his team to win. Only reason Kobe gets it over him is because Kobe has arguably been just as good, and has yet to win the award despite being a top 3 candidate the last 3-4 years. Also, Kobe has doing this consistently with less help.

Everybody says it is not about the past, but it is. You cant say that all else being equal, Kobe doesn't deserve this award. KG got his over Duncan in '04, now Kobe gets his over KG & Paul. Kobe deserves it, it's not the hard to put it all together. The man has earned his respect, so it's only fair that we give it too him. If he puts up big numbers, everybody says he's selfish.....If he defers, then LeBron or someone else is better.... At the end, everybody wanted him to win w/o shaq and he is doing that, so give him his props and quit making up excuses. He has done everything that was asked, therefore, Kobe = MVP.

[ChrisRichards]

it took a NBA cheating steal trade for Pau Gasol for Lakers to be elite.

the stacked roster of LA with kobe, odom, gasol, bynum, fisher, etc..... get real. before gasol, kobe was not mvp.

my MVP is kevin garnett and a distant 2nd is chris paul

[Drewbs]

Originally Posted by ChrisRichards

it took a NBA cheating steal trade for Pau Gasol for Lakers to be elite.

the stacked roster of LA with kobe, odom, gasol, bynum, fisher, etc..... get real. before gasol, kobe was not mvp.

my MVP is kevin garnett and a distant 2nd is chris paul

Way to not watch the NBA...

That lineup you listed has yet to play together.

I also seem to remember the Lakers being in first place before Gasol came to LA. Back when they had Bynum in the lineup.