rezdawg, that sounds like an argument for why Shaq should be MVP. Do you think that, with that lineup, you replaced Kobe with Shaq, they'd have a record that was as bad? No way. Incidentally, I think the same is true if you put Duncan in there or one of the other top big men.
I was saying that both Kobe and Shaq need each other to be effective. If one of them goes, the team is going to struggle. Right now, if the Lakers were to lose Kobe for 10 games, they would lose 8 of them. Shaq isnt going to cut the mustard on his own.
You are correct...their record was not as good, but, like I said, the supporting cast of the Lakers is horrible. In any case, these are the numbers for Kobe before Shaq returned: 29.9 ppg 8.9 rpg 6.2 apg 2.3 spg 43% FG Yeah, he played like $hit.
I am amazed that people forget so quickly...For me, at least, this has been a huge season for Kobe; a season of exposure. The record without a healthy Shaq has, IMO, confirmed all the suspicions about Kobe I have ever had. He has NEVER shown the ability to carry a team, and this year has demonstrated that better than any other. Is he an exceptionally talented player? No question, but an exceptionally talented player who benefits immeasurably from being the best perimeter player on a team with the most dominant post player in the game, and who therefore never sees the double and triple teams that other exceptionally talented perimeter players like T-Mac, Iverson, and Carter see just about every night. How can someone be the most valuable player in the league while simultaneously being the second most valuable player on his own team? Kobe may one day be able to face the night in and night out grind of facing defensive focus and still carry his team to victory...but this year has clearly demonstrated that he isn't there yet, and while he has shown that he is capable of putting up incredible numbers facing the single and/or left alone coverage that being Shaq's teammates affords him, I would suggest that McGrady, Carter, and a couple of others would put up incredible numbers if given the same opportunity. They have to do most of their work each night getting by the second and third guy, the first guy is a given. They have also demonstrated the ability to carry their team on their shoulders and win, something Kobe has shown himself not yet ready to do. How can he be considered the most Valuable player if he hasn't demontrated the ability to lead his team and win? Isn't that the essence of the award? If I had a vote it would be Garnett or McGrady, if Orlando makes the playoffs...
Well no sh... I think it would be hard for the MVP voters to deny a 40 ppg player the award(Unless the teams starts losing again). There's no way he can keep that pace up. This isn't Wilt or MJ we're talking about.
MacBeth, you are failing to look at the supporting cast that was with Kobe when Shaq was out. Look at the players McGrady gets to play with: Hill (Injured now, but they were barely a .500 team with him) Mike Miller Armstrong Garrity Vaughn Kemp Now, compare them to this team: Shaw Fisher Fox Horry Walker Medvedenko George The Magic supporting cast is much better than the Lakers. And guess what? The Magic are under .500. Yeah, TMac should be MVP, but Kobe shouldnt.
No one from the Eastern Conference deserves this award until they prove that they can produce a legit title contender. Right now its Duncan, and its not really even that close. Look at the Spurs lineup, its absolutely horrid - yet they're near the top of the Western Conference.
earlier in the season, people were writting the lakers off, saying they wouldn't make the playoff. but right now, the lake show has turned the season around because of the play of kobe. the great turnaround and the great numbers: 28pts, 7 reb, 5 assist, kobe should be the mvp.
Yeah? Lakers with Shaq - Kobe = 10% win ball club Too bad Kobe doesn't get injured to put Shaq in the same situation.
I admit Duncan is the 2nd best player in the league behind Shaq but he is so damn boring to watch. No sportcenter highlights and he won it last year which makes more difficult for him to win it this. Just think of the 94-95 Dream. He was just as dominating that year as the previous but they gave it to the stat monger Mermaid who got fed the ball just so he could win the scoring title. How pathetic.
I had Garnet as my pick for MVP before reading this thread. But after reading I think I am leaning towards Kobe.
I don't consider Tmac MVP a candidate, but he has one of the worst teams in recent memory. Hill which has hardly played, and that includes the games he's attempted to play and can't finish an entire game, is not what the Magic expected when they signed him. If you want an overrated player, look no further than Mike Miller and one of the most inconsistent players....reason they've been trying to trade him for a couple years now. Kemp......what a joke. Vaughn......starting PG? Declearq.....Cato(before this year) of the east? Sasser.....only thing he's got going for him is that he looks like a "ghetto" Ray Allen Armstrong....isn't nearly what he's been for the past several years, but still a decent player. I wish we had him instead of Moochie. To all this, add the fact that neither of these fruits can play the slightest bit of defense. A team of Clutch BBS posters can go against them and score 100 points, ofcourse they would score much more against us.....but you get the point. About the only thing worth **** on that team other than Tmac is Garrity. I hope we(Rockets) find a way to pick him up. And KG is like CWebb? If KG was on the Kings instead of Webber, the trophy would be in Sacramento right now. Me disagreeing with Kobe winning the MVP is basically based on their record and his ability to lead a team. No one is arguing he isn't an All-NBA first team member and won't continue to be for the rest of his prime, but he isn't even the MVP on his own team.
i think Garnett has a good shot, he is so good. i'm not sure about kobe, because they haven't got a play off place wright now, i know they will have one at the end of the year, but for now i can'call him MVP. if minesota end in the top 5 of the west, garnett has a good shot. His team is absolutly horrible. just like duncan, so in my opinion it shuld be Garnett or Duncan. i hope garnett wil win it
If you havent noticed, the Lakers are a HALF game behind the Rockets for the final playoff spot and they are on a roll. They will make the playoffs for sure. Remember the words, "Never underestimate the heart of a champion." Plus I have seen that T-Mac has been mentioned as a possible canadiate for the MVP. How can he be even considered? His defense is pathetic compared to Kobe, KG, and Duncan. Have you guys even seen him on defense? I bet Colin Pine could even take him to school!!!!!!! As for Duncan, I believe another post touched on why he will have a hard time convincing the voters that he is worthy of the MVP. He is not a "highlight film" type player that the fans and the media crave. That's what Kobe and KG are. In fact, he is as boring to watch as The Mermaid. (David Robinson) and just like DRob, he will probably win only one MVP award. However, atleast he wont be considered as a soft p***y like the Mermaid! As for KG, I will give him his props too. He is probably the only legitmate contender Kobe has for the MVP. But as to why I think KG will not MVP is pretty simple. The collapse of the Lakers at the beginning of the season was the BIG story in the NBA this season along with Yao Ming. Seeing them fight to atleast make the playoffs has sort of captivated the viewing audience. And seeing them rise from the ashes like a phoenix has made everybody weary of them. And you guys have to admit that the man behind this story is Kobe. He is the reason why this team is on a roll and have climbed back into the playoff race, not Shaq. The team is built around Shaq, but Kobe is the one doing the scoring and providing the defeseive stops with his thievery. And unlike KG, Kobe does not have a supporting cast to help him, just Shaq. If you subtract Kobe and Shaq from the rest of the Lakers squad what do you have, THE CLEVELAND CAVS!!!!!!!!!!!
That team would get $hit on by the cavs. Ricky Davis, Ilgauskas, Boozer, D. Wagner, etc... But, I do understand your point, the Lake Show would suck ass.
tigereye, Shaq is worth more than the whole Wolves supporting cast. Let's just ignore the issue of the second half and pretend that they are selecting the MVP right now. If you talk about who's "worthy" of the MVP, I'd pick Duncan. But I know he's not going to get it two years in a row because he is not that much above the others. That leave KG, Kobe and Kidd. My prediction is Kobe will win it because he's got the most attention, as the Lakers always do (plus he's playing great lately--lately is always better than early). I think it is really a close call. Performance-wise, Kobe is the best. But in terms of "most valuable" to the team, I think many people have already pointed out, Duncan, KG and Kidd are more valuable to their teams than Kobe.
I would have to say that I agree with those of you that are saying that Kobe should not be the MVP. Player of the week? Yes. Player of the month? Yes. MVP? Nope. He hasn't been as consistently great as some of the other candidates. As a Mavs fan I would love to see Dirk get the MVP however I think there are other players more deserving such as KG, Duncan, and Kidd. In my opinion the MVP should go to KG. He is having an amazing season, and even though he has Wally on his team he is without question the reason the Wolves are as good as they are.
