Charlotte: The NBA MVP Race, The Truth

The NBA has been absolutely amazing this year with the tight race for the playoffs in the West and battle for positioning in the East! We also need to figure out who is deserving of this years MVP award. Well, let’s consider a few things.

So, we all have pretty much have figured out the players in the MVP race. They are Lebron James, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnet. Let’s leave all the talks out about Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki and anyone else. They haven’t been as consistent through out the year.

Kevin Garnet- He’s got 2 other all-stars that help out and he hasn’t been as consistent through out the ENTIRE year.

Lebron- His numbers this year have been spectacular. However, his team is ranked 4^th in a weak conference and they have struggled against sub par teams. He’s putting up the same types of #s as last year, the only difference… Kobe isn’t shooting as much and he’s not trying to win the scoring title. Let’s shed away the layers of him being 8 foot 9, 468 pounds and faster than the speed of lighting. Can he shoot? Not as of yet. Keep working Lebron. But he will drive the lane and slam it on your entire team and the fans in the first 2 rows.

In actuality, the race is truly between Chris Paul and Kobe. I give the “W” to Kobe “this year” and here’s why:

Obviously, we are talking about 2 different types of players with 2 different types of play. We expect Chris to have stats in scoring, assists and rebounds. What’s amazing is that he puts up GREAT numbers in these areas any given night. Cool.

We can’t fault Kobe for having Pau and Bynum. Actually, Kobe hasn’t had Pau or Bynum all year. They certainly haven’t been on the court together yet. Kobe has dealt with an injury stricken team. He’s managed to play with injuries of his own and still carries his team. Chris Paul would not do as well with the same type of injuries to his team. It’s not going to happen. We’re talking about key players, not just any role player. And really, the Hornets have a better team today without Chris Vs the Lakers with Kobe.

Remember, Kobe hasn’t had the luxury of having healthy players in Bynum, Pau, Fisher, Ramonovich and Trevor Aviza! Did you hear me? Did you see the amount of key players on injury? Now really! The Hornets have a better team from this standpoint. Not to mention, without any down low type presence, the Lakers are going no where fast in the West.

You don’t have to necessarily be the #1 scorer in the NBA or on the #1 team, although, the Lakers have had their run as the #1 team in the West.

Let’s also consider the fact that he has changed his game for the better of the team. His assists have sky rocketed, his defense and rebounding remain intact, his decision making ability has improved drastically, his scoring is exactly where it needs to be and as the MVP he literally puts the team on his back during the most trying times and they win, bottom line. It’s about how you win and what you commit to doing to win. By all means, Kobe has demonstrated this without a doubt.