[nba.com] Race to the MVP - Week 19 (T-Mac at 4)

Week 19

By Maurice Brooks
Posted Mar 13 2007 3:28PM

SECAUCUS, N.J., March 13, 2007 -- Hey, nobody is perfect, right? Luckily, it is never too late to admit a mistake or two or in my case five. With that being said, here are the First Annual Race to the MVP My Bads ...
My bad, Sixers … After spending 32 years as a fan, I jumped off the bandwagon (despite having a lifetime membership) somewhere between Allen Iverson getting a Denver address and Chris Webber going back home to Detroit.

I know, I’m the worst. Where is my loyalty?

Yo Samuel, Kyle, Dre Miller, Billy King and Mo Cheeks, please forgive me and take me back. I know I shouldn’t have abandoned ship.

If only I would have known that Andre Iguodala was going to single-handedly bring you guys back into playoff contention this season instead of three or four years from now. Speaking of Iguodala, check out this editorial e-mailed to me by one of my colleagues.

After stringing together seven victories in a row, Philly’s record now stands at 25-38, just four games out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

My bad, Shaquille O'Neal … Wow big fella, I thought you were done. I had already stuck the fork in you. And you know what, you can’t really blame me. You missed most of the first half of the season because of injury and even when you did play you didn’t really do your thing like back in the day.

I should have known better than to count you out but I forgot that throughout your career you’ve made a point of proving doubters wrong (What up, Kobe?).

With Dwyane Wade sidelined with a shoulder injury, you’ve powered your squad to six straight wins and you guys have your swagger back. A few weeks ago, it looked like Washington was going to run away and hide with the Southeast Division title. Now it seems like it’s a foregone conclusion that the Heat will run down the Wizards, who you trail by only one game.

My bad, Tracy McGrady … Of course I knew you were one of the 10 most talented ballers on the planet. Still, I thought your creaky back, which for the past few years has caused you to spend a ton of time in designer clothes instead of your uniform, had won the battle. I thought your days of being the man were over.

When Yao Ming went down in December with his leg injury, I thought your Rockets would follow. Boy did you prove me wrong.

You’ve regained your All-NBA caliber form. Thanks to your averages of 24.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists, Houston has a record of 39-25, good for fifth in the ultra-competitive West.

My bad, Stephon Marbury and Isiah Thomas … Has anyone looked at Stephon’s point totals during the past eight games? Marbury has been on fire, dropping in 22, 22, 25, 23, 34, 38, 40 and 15 points.

That stretch has brought his season averages up to a healthy 15.8 points and 5.5 assists per game. No, Marbury didn’t forget how to play. It just seemed that way during the nightmare that was the 2005-06 Knicks season.

And while we’re talking about New York, congratulations Isiah on your multiyear contract extension. With 29 victories so far, you already have six more wins than all of last year and if the season ended today, you’d be in the postseason.

Larry Brown is a Hall of Fame coach, he just wasn’t as good a fit as you are to motivate the Knicks. I didn't think you would get the job done, but obviously your squad has shown improvement.

My bad, 1996 Chicago Bulls … Watching the Warriors embarrass Race to the MVP leader Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks on Monday to end their 17-game win streak reminded me of just how hard it is to win 70 games, let alone 72.

While one defeat doesn’t take any of the shine off of what the Mavericks (52-10) have done this season, there may not ever be another squad as dominant as the 1995-96 Bulls.

Also, as a reminder of how great Michael Jordan was, check the history books. MJ was so dominant that he was named MVP of the All-Star Game, regular season and The Finals.

Do you want to apologize about a wrong basketball prediction you made this season? Send me your "My bads."

Here are the player rankings for the season through March 12.

1. Dirk Nowitzki
2. Steve Nash
3. Lebron James
4. Tracy McGrady
5. Kobe Bryant
6. Tim Duncan
7. Gilbert Arenas
8. Chris Bosh
9. Kevin Garnett
10. Deron Williams

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Check it out: http://www.nba.com/features/player_rankings.html

Gooooo T-Mac!!!!