Putting Derek Anderson Into Perspective
March 4, 2008Cavaliers Preview Game #61
March 4, 2008While LeBron James continues his assault on the rest of the NBA, many media outlets have been trying their hardest to find any other possible player to toss into MVP consideration. Last year, it was Dirk Nowitzki… Two years ago, Steve Nash. This year, there is no doubting that Chris Paul has done amazing things in New Orleans, so I’m not saying that he isn’t worthy of consideration. He’s just not the MVP.
Thankfully, as the Hornets have fallen off a bit in the ever-competitive West, it is looking more and more like a two horse race for the this season’s award. Those two horses? Obviously, LeBron James and the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant. And something else that I’m thankful for? Yahoo!’s Kelly Dwyer finally putting the Bryant arguments to rest in a piece written yesterday.
Dwyer also touched on the fact that James was right there with Bryant when Nash miraculously one his second of back-to-back awards in 2006. But he also had this to say:
This year, the man has been fantastic, running one of the NBA’s most devastating offenses while regaining the defensive edge that he appeared to have lost last season. He put on a brilliant performance on national TV yesterday, registering 52 points (30 in the fourth quarter and overtime alone) and 11 rebounds while carrying the Lakers offensively in a win over Dallas.
When Bryant went to the free throw line, the Staples Center crowd chanted, “M-V-P! M-V-P!”
And they should stop it.
KD admittedly says that the race is very tight. In fact, you really can’t get much closer in comparing any two NBA players, save Matt Bonner and Mark Madsen. OK, I made that last part up, but you know what I mean. But whether you use the “what a player means to his team” argument, or go by shear numbers, how can you not go with James?
James has Bryant licked in scoring per game (30.3 to 28.2), assists (7.5 to 5.4), rebounds (8.1 to 6.0) and shooting percentage (48.6 to 46.6). Bryant shoots better from long range (35 percent to 30), and has James’ number from the line, but so does Kyle Korver. Otherwise, they’re even on steals and turnovers, and James blocks nearly twice as many shots.
Man, do I hope Korver gets a vote. And if you think any of LeBron’s edge has anything to do with extra minutes played, check out the per-minute stats. You’ll learn otherwise.
I’ve said this many times before. When Nash won his second award, the argument against James was the fact that “he’ll have his whole career to win MVP awards.” Are you kidding me? That is an argument? Regardless of age, if someone is the MVP, they’re the MVP. It’s not the best player on the best team (Dirk), it’s the most VALUABLE player. Stealing a page from Bill Simmons, put an average small forward on this Cavaliers team – say, Marvin Williams of the Hawks – and is this team even in playoff talks?
Take Paul away from the Hornets, and they still have an All-Star in David West to go with a former All-Star in Peja Stojakovic and a would-be All-Star in Tyson Chandler (if not for the loaded West). Take Kobe out of the LA equation and I’m willing to bet that Odom, Gasol, Bynum and Co. could more than handle their own.
LBJ in ’08. Progress!
Why … Kobe Bryant is not your MVP [Yahoo! NBA Blog]
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5 Comments
For the record, James won his second player of the month award for February.
To play devil’s advocate, the argument that Kobe, Garnett, Paul and whoever plays with other all-stars shouldn’t automatically remove them from consideration though. James is doing what he has to do to win. If he was on a team with two other all stars (with due respect to the players brought in lately) his numbers might not be the same because he doesn’t have to put them up to win. It is tricky.
I don’t think that anyone has LeBron’s combination of size, speed, and stregnth. He is too powerful to cover with even the best small forward and too fast for a power forward to handle. He is in a different class.
I agree that James should be the frontrunner right now in the MVP race, and as soon as Andrew Bynum comes back from his injury, I think you will see a shift in offensive strategy that will reduce Kobe’s chances on that end. I do however think you are not giving enough credit to what Chris Paul has done. Saying that removing him you are still left with a competitive team with West and Peja is a little shortsighted. David West is an All-Star partly because of Paul’s play, and removing Paul from that team would be devistating. Not as devistating as removing James from Cleveland obviously. Still, give credit to Paul for something Lebron hasn’t been able to do this year: make his teammates all-stars.
Thanks for the comment, Jed. If I sound like I’m not giving Paul credit, I apologize. It may be partly in bitterness as just when it seems like LBJ has his best season ever (read: each year of his career to date), someone else jumps in the mix. Paul has been amazing, without a doubt.
And I dont think that the “other player” comment shouldn’t remove them from consideration, but it should be taken into account. I still think that Nash was able to get those two awards because his team was excellent. You only get 12 assists per game if your team converts on those 12 passes. Having Amare/Marion/Etc makes that a lot easier. Just think of how amazing Magic looked during all of his career when he was able to pass the ball to Worthy/KAJ.
Kobe shoots better from 3 and FTs than LBJ but so does Kyle Korver? Now what kind of logic is that? You make good points in the whole blog but stuff like this kind of shows out your agenda don’t you think?