[Blue Magic]

I think the main knock against Hedo is that he said he didn't really want the award because he felt that he has been this great all along, he just never had this oppurtunity. He said this award would be a disapointment to him, or something along those lines. Remember, Hedo has constantly played behind great players throughout his career. Grant Hiil, Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Emanuel Ginobili, & Peja Stojakovic...all play'd in front of the Turkoglu. He should have been playing behind Rashard this year too, but Rashard hasn't stepped up and taken the reigns...so Hedo decided to take them and show everybody what he is all about....

Other players who I think could be wothy of winning, off the top of my head, are: Jose Calderon, Beno Udrih, Rudy Gay, Aldridge & Kaman. David West, quite frankley, has been good since '05-'06.....i thought he should have won it over Diaw back then but i dont really think you can be nominated for this award twice, can you?....I think it is hit or miss.

One thing Hedo does have working for him tho is that he got snubbed from the All-Star Game so voters may feel apt to give him the award cause they feel bad for that, over a second year guy like Gay or Aldrigde, who they were expecting to be good this year anyway. Also, he is a key player on a good playoff team unlike the other candidates. I think Hedo still deserves the award at the end of the day even if he doesnt really want it for himself, but his biggest comp imo will be Mr. Gay.

[edwardcyh]

Originally Posted by xray

Brandon Bass as a dark horse.

Represent!

[Kekai]

Gotta be Hedo. He's outplayed big dollar boy Rashard Lewis.

[MrJayremmie]

1st... Hedo

2nd... Aldridge
3rd... Gay
4th... Outlaw
5th... Bynum
Honorable Mention: Calderon, Kaman.

Is my vote.

[B-Roy]

Originally Posted by Rawse

Rudy Gay...

• …owns the highest scoring increase (9.4) among all NBA players from last season (min. 50 percent games played in each of the last two seasons).
• …leads all NBA sophomores in scoring (20.2), including the 2006-07 NBA Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy.
• …has nearly doubled his scoring average from his rookie season (20.2 in 2007-08 up from 10.8 in 2006-07) while averaging only 10 minutes more per game (37.4 up from 27.0).
• …is one of only two NBA players (MVP candidate Kobe Bryant) ranked in the Top 40 in both dunks and three-point field goals made.
• …on pace to become just the third player in Grizzlies franchise history to average 20-plus points per game in a single season (Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Pau Gasol).
• …has led the Grizzlies in scoring 38 times this season (four in 2006-07).
• …has scored 20 or more points 42 times this season (eight in 2006-07).
• …has scored 30 or more points 11 times this season (once in 2006-07).
• …has set career highs in points, field goals made, three-point field goals made, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and minutes played.
• …leads Memphis in six categories, including scoring, steals, minutes, field goals made, field goals attempted and free throws made.
• …has more than doubled his three-point field goals made from last season (125 up from 52).
• …hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to defeat the defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 19.
• …is on the verge of becoming the first player in three years to average 20-plus points in his second NBA season (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony in 2004-05).

I think you should add another bullet: Team wins. Uh oh...

That said, I think Hedo should win it with Gay second.

[MrJayremmie]

Sometimes (even more than sometimes) a player's statistics get inflated on bad teams. Al Jefferson is one case. Durant is another case. Somebody has to score, and take all the shots...

[fuzznuts]

david west

[Vermillion]

Too bad Bynum got hurt, he was my pick. Since he's not an option the choice is clearly Turkoglu IMHO.

And I'm glad people aren't as high anymore on players like Kaman and Al Jefferson like they were at the start of the season. Putting up stats on a terrible team because you're getting all the touches shouldn't equal MIP. I actually thought Gay was a prime candidate but based on this criteria I can't include him either.

[Blue Magic]

Originally Posted by fuzznuts

david west

Wtf, How is David West the most improved...?? Im sorry, but that just doesnt make much sense at all. I mean, based on what, is he the most improved in...?? Quite frankly, I would give it CP3 before i would give it to him...... Check his stats from the last three years man.....if you wanted to even considered giving it to West, you might as well just give it to Dwight Howard cuz his nuumbers have improved about the same but they are just THAT MUCH better. I have no clue why so many people keep bringing up this guys name tho.....He has been good for a while now......

Now.....if we're talking the MIP of THIS season, based on stats, it's gotta be someone like Gay, Aldrigde, Hedo, Kaman, Bynum, etc........you know, someone who has actually has taken there game like 2-3 levels higher than it was before.....Im sorry, idk where u have been but David West has been good for awhile now, let that sink in people.......If it's gonna be including the 2nd year guys, I think Gay gets it hands down......If not tho, going by stats, improvement, wins, & the impact that they now have on the game based on a year ago, i think it gotta be Hedo.

I really just want to hear a good reason why David West should be MIP, since people keep wanting to bring his name up...