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Crowning an MVP: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, or Chris Paul?



March 09 08

The AM Take: In March, hoop heads can feast on an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of great basketball. High schools crown their state champions. March madness is in full effect. And NBA teams vie for playoff spots.

There’s also the NBA’s MVP race to enjoy. All season, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, and Chris Paul have dazzled us with their on-court heroics.

Bryant and Garnett have brought L.A and Boston back from oblivion. In Cavalier country, King James’s stat-stuffing, all-round play has drawn comparisons to Oscar Robertson, while Chris Paul has put The Big Easy back on the NBA map.

All four players have been brilliant. With twenty games left who deserves MVP honors? As always, read the post, form an opinion, and check in with your MVP in the comment box below.

Why Kobe Bryant is MVP …

This year, Mamba has scaled back his shot-launching escapades and started to facilitate for others. With an improved supporting cast, he’s led the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference.

Don’t get it twisted. When necessary, Bryant can still takeover and drop a cool fifty on any defense. Just ask Avery Johnson and the Dallas Mavericks.

Why Kevin Garnett is MVP …

He’s intense in practice, pre-season, and even when decked out in street clothes watching teammate Rajon Rondo compete in the rookie-sophomore game during All-Star weekend.

Garnett’s tremendous skill is one thing, but his presence has lifted the Celtics to the top of the league standings.

Why LeBron James is MVP …

He scores. He rebounds. He sets-up teammates. And he single-handedly rescued Cleveland from their first-half slide. In fact, the only thing James hasn’t done is fluff Anderson Varejao’s afro.

Why Chris Paul is MVP …

CP3 is dominating opponents, dropping 21 points and 11 assists for an emerging New Orleans squad. It may be too soon for Paul to win MVP, but he’s already the best table-setter in the NBA

Who is your MVP: Bryant, Garnett, James or Paul? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts. The AM Take is Oly’s morning thoughts on the NBA appearing Sunday through Friday on HoopsVibe NBA Blog. Errors can be attributed to the time and his need for another coffee.

(Image appears courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/interbasket/1968119059/)



42 Comments: Crowning an MVP: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, or (...)

Posted by
Objectivity
on 04.14.2008		 MVP is supposed to stand for most valuable player, as in who is most productive and important their team. By that definition, I think the MVP should be bewteen Lebron James and Chris Paul.James is leading the lead in scoring while average 7+ rebounds and 7+ assists per games. Plus, in his short injury stint, the Cavs could not win without him. He is carrying the Cavs to the playoffs. Without James, I think they’d be among league’s worst teams. Paul is averaging 20+ points and 10+ assists while leading the lead in steals. He leads his team in all 3 categories while being the primary ball handler. The Hornets would not be a playoff team without Paul.Kobe and Garnett are not as productive as James and Paul. And I think the Lakers (with Odom, Bynum and Gasol) and Celtics (with Paul, Allen, Rondo and company) would be playoff teams without Bryant and Garnett. If the MVP race doesn’t boil down to Paul and James, then MVP is a misnomer and they might as well rename the award for lifetime achievement or best player on the best team. .
Posted by

on 04.12.2008		 Kobe doesnt even average a double double...why should he get mvp the only stat hes beating paul in is points and besides kobe plays way more mins than paul does and if yall wanna talk about last night lets talk about that comeback that the hornets should have won no thanks to the refs oh yeah and who was in the game the whole time...kobe...kobe did have a good game but scoring means nothing kobe i dont think is even worried about finals he has lots of rings on the other hand paul doesnt care about mvp he wants the finals shows true love for the game and he almost led the hornets to win last night from being down by 30...lets be real and look at stats and whose still in first place... .
Posted by
Slickjr
on 03.24.2008		 James and Paul are young and great, but Kobe by far this year. James is getting more credit for the same stuff Kobe was always nailed for. Paul needs to put more time in, give it time. Gasol and Bynum are out and the Lakers are still out in front. KOBE 24/7 365 MVP! .
Posted by
tempy
on 03.17.2008		 lebron will be mvp this year. no doubt .
Posted by
detoics
on 03.14.2008		 CP3 is mii mvp he nice on the court .
Posted by

on 03.13.2008		 kobe hands down peeps lebron is just a kobe wannabe face it, if kobe touched the ball every possesion like lebron he would average a triple double easy .
Posted by

on 03.12.2008		 lebron who? CP3 who? garnett who?... KB24 MVP bay bay! .
Posted by
markell
on 03.12.2008		 Kobe People be real .
Posted by
allnet38
on 03.11.2008		 damn, just hand it over to KB24... .
Posted by
Vinsanity
on 03.11.2008		 Kobe Bryant... .
Posted by

on 03.10.2008		 MVP- The Chosen One .
Posted by
king
on 03.10.2008		 Kobe hand down .
Posted by
Abdul
on 03.10.2008		 What the f-Chris paul .
Posted by
KENNIX
on 03.10.2008		 There is only one MVP and all are just trying to be at the same level with KB24 .. Kobe for life. Bron is nowhere near his excellency. For the past 2 years Kobe was burning the scoreboard and he did not get it. Lebron should not be in this conversation at all. .
Posted by
octane
on 03.10.2008		 co... mvps kobe and lebron, what more can u say about them 2. butdammm, jordan and magic all over again. .
Posted by

on 03.10.2008		 yo kobe is the best player duh .
Posted by
steven[stunna]
on 03.10.2008		 with kobe, the lakers can still win but they have a slimmer chance of doing it. lebron is good but he and his crew arent in 1st place. he has support and plays in the EAST so there is noo excuse. kb24 and the lakerz are in the red hot west and still lead the pack. now, u know that someone deserves mvp when u are on the raod and your opponent’s (sacramento kings) fans are even cheering mvp. did anyone else hear it last tuesday? =P .
Posted by
The UNDERTAKER
on 03.10.2008		 LEBRON JAMES = (MVP) .
Posted by

on 03.10.2008		 king james you’re the MVP for life.... .
Posted by

on 03.10.2008		 King James you’re the man!!! .
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Oly Sandor

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Oly Sandor

Daily take on NBA
Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More  






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© 2008 CraveOnline Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. NBA Blog : Crowning an MVP: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, or Chris Paul? - Updated on 03.9.2008