Kobe Bryant has never been simple or straightforward. His career has been filled with controversy, making him difficult to evaluate as a player and person.

Part of this is Bryant’s doing. His actions and attitude have often left something to be desired.

Part of this is our doing. Many of us, starting with his days at Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia, wanted to see him fail.

How could we not hate on him? After all, who was this teenager taking Brandy to the prom on network television? And who was this teenager declaring himself eligible for the draft in black sunglasses? And what right did he have to force a trade to the Lakers?

Bryant made a bad first impression. Things went from bad to worse with the Shaq feud. His image then hit rock bottom when he was charged with sexual assault.

Enough time has gone by. He should receive a full pardon from the court of public opinion. But some will never forget his past, forever complicating Bryant’s legacy.

This year, for once, Bryant’s play has been simple to evaluate. He’s been outstanding. Here’s why he should be included in any MVP discussion:

1) Bryant’s the only MVP candidate capable of dominating on defense. He’s an excellent individual and team defender. Nash is a poor defender, while Nowitzki holds his own.

2) Bryant’s role changed during the season. For the first thirty games, he was Kobe the Facilitator, dropping dimes and hitting the open man.

His role changed when Luke Walton and Lamar Odom went on injured reserve. Kobe the Facilitator had to become Kobe the Scoring Assassin. And the 2-guard certainly scored, running off several 50 point games and forcing the league’s shutdown defenders to seek new forms of employment.

Most importantly, Kobe the Scoring Assassin saved Los Angeles’ season. Bryant’s been a chameleon, changing his role to help the Lakers win.

3) Bryant’s finally acting like an MVP. He gets his teammates involved. He encourages instead of alienating. He’s a leader.

 Nash or Nowitzki will win MVP. But Kobe Bean deserves consideration. His past shouldn’t matter. But like everything with Bryant, it’s never simple or straight forward.

Sunday’s game between Dallas and Phoenix confirmed one thing: the Mavericks have no answer for the Suns’ fast lineup.

Let me explain. After beating Dallas on March 14th, Steve Nash’s crew hit a rough patch, dropping games to weaker teams like Golden State and Sacramento.

 And whenever the Suns lose a few games, the doubters come out of the closet. Critics dismiss Phoenix as a novelty act. Fans appreciate the entertainment, but wonder if 7 seconds to shoot can actually deliver an NBA Title.

 Give Coach Mike D’Antoni his due. He could have listened to the doubters and implemented elements of a more traditional system.

But the Suns’ sideline boss came to a different conclusion: the league’s fastest team had to get faster.

D’Antoni felt his team needed an injection of energy and enthusiasm-nothing more. There would be no major changes, only tweaks. The Suns would keep their identity.

So Boris Diaw was dropped from the starting lineup. Leandro Barbosa, the NBA’s fastest player, took his place in the opening five.

The decision to tweak paid dividends in Sunday’s game. Dallas couldn’t stop or even contain Barbosa. The ‘Brazilian blur’ went off, hitting a bevy of shots to finish with 29 points. Most importantly, his speed and quickness created a tempo that favored Phoenix.

Steve Nash makes the Suns go. But Barbosa’s quickness puts pressure on the defense, forcing opponents to play at an unfamiliar pace.

Dallas and Phoenix won’t face each other for the rest of the regular season. If they meet in the playoffs, the Mavericks better adjust to the faster version of the Suns.

Many years ago, I was playing pickup at a well-known run in Vancouver, Canada. A skinny kid with a familiar smile and recognizable eyes showed up. He was new to the area and had just enrolled at a local high school.

There was a buzz about this kid, something different. Then the word dropped: he was the son of Sidney Lowe, the current sideline boss for the Vancouver Grizzlies.

Sidney Lowe Jr. was a quiet kid with an excellent, son-of-a-coach style game. He moved well and made excellent decisions as a lead guard-exactly like his father who starred at North Carolina State and went on to spend six season in the NBA.

He also kicked my team’s ass. But Lowe Jr. never talked trash or showed us up, so we accepted our fate as losers and left the court for the next team.

I never saw Sid Lowe Jr. again, until last week. The coach’s son was charged with a number of crimes in the state of North Carolina. If convicted, he’s looking at serious jail time.

(Here’s the link)

All I saw was a decent kid with a Division-1 caliber game. That’s why last week’s accusations were so surprising. And that’s why last week’s accusations were so sad.

Hopefully, this is a mistake. And someday his smile will return.

Several months ago, I was sipping ice water in the press box, watching the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds play the Arizona Wildcats as part of a pre-season practice tournament in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada.

Lute Olson, Arizona’s legendary coach, was directing traffic from the sideline. The Wildcats were loaded with wily veterans, all of whom under normal circumstances would be worth watching closely.

Reggie Theus, a former NBA star and the current coach of the rapidly improving New Mexico State Aggies, was relaxing in a corner of the arena. Theus’ Aggies were also taking part in the tournament.

Nobody cared about Olson, the Wildcats’ established stars or even a mellowed out Theus. The crowd had gathered to watch one player: Chase Budinger, Arizona’s first year swingman.

After all, this incoming class had hype. There was Greg Oden, the stud centre for Ohio State. There was Kevin Durant, the athletic swingman for Texas. And there was also Budinger, Arizona’s prize recruit and a supposed lock for the NBA lottery.

The former California prep star began the game on the bench. After a few minutes, Coach Olson motioned for Budinger to check in.

He nailed his first three shots in spectacular fashion. The stadium was buzzing. Fans and local media were stunned at what they had just seen.

Arizona’s traveling media weren’t surprised. They were chuckling at the reaction Budinger’s play was getting. One of the Wildcats’ beat writers then turned to me and dropped a shocking statement.

“You know what? Chase’s been sick all day,” the reporter said. “He’s got an upset stomach and a bad headache. I don’t know how he’s even playing, let alone doing that.”

Following the game, a ‘sic’-playing and sick-looking Chase Budinger answered a few quick questions.

Oly Sandor: How you feeling?

Chase Budinger: Pretty bad. I’ve got a virus. I’ve been very sick for the last couple of days. This was the first time I’ve played basketball in four days. So it’s tough for me. I’m under the weather. I’m just trying to go out there and do as much as I can.

OS: What position will you end up playing this year?

CB: I think the wing, 2-3. That’s what they (the Arizona coaching staff) have been saying.

OS: What made you pick Arizona?

CB: The style of offense. Coach Olson is a great coach. I don’t think they’ve had a losing record, ever. I wanted to play with the best players. I wanted to play with and against the best teams. Arizona was just a great match for me.

OS: Was your decision Arizona or the NBA?

CB: No. I also wanted to go to college. It was between UCLA, USC, and Arizona. Those were my three choices.

OS: Good luck this year.

CB: Thanks.

After years of the free-lance hustle, Oly Sandor has signed a ‘max’ contract to bring his cutting-edge NBA analysis to HoopsVibe.com, the hottest basketball website in the game.

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There’s been significant interest surrounding my recent posts on NBAblog.HoopsVibe.com. Here’s the deal: HoopsVibe.com and I are combining forces to hit you with the tightest NBA blog.

This will not be the typical blog that recycles the same old opinions. 

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The choice for MVP comes down to Steve Nash or Dirk Nowitzki. And Sunday’s game between Nash’s Phoenix Suns and Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks could determine which of these two players wins the MVP hardware at season’s end.

The Nash or Nowitzki debate has split the NBA into two camps.

One camp supports Nash for MVP because they feel the award should go to the player with the greatest value to his team.

 The other camp supports Nowitzki for MVP because he’s the best player on the league’s best team.

Here’s why Nash should win MVP:

1) The Suns are all about offense. That’s their identity. Nash’s vision and basketball IQ makes the whole thing go. Take Nash out of Phoenix’s line-up and 7 seconds to shoot is 7 seconds from the NBA lottery.

2) This year, Nash is averaging 19 points and 12 assists per game. Both are career highs. If Nash’s numbers are better than his MVP seasons, then he should be in line for a three-peat.

 3) Nash has MVP presence. He plays the game properly. He has a positive on-court demeanor. He finds the open man. And he knows when to assert himself and when to defer to teammates.

Here’s why Nowitzki should win MVP:

1) The German has been Dallas’ best player. Dallas has been the NBA’s best team. Do the math.

2) Nowitzki is a better defensive player than Nash. He can lock down most forwards, while the Suns often have to hide Nash on defense by using Shawn Marion to cover opposing point guards.

3) Nowitzki has displayed MVP toughness by playing on a severely sprained ankle. He’s never complained about this injury. He’s never asked for or expected sympathy. Nowitzki’s just fought the pain and done everything in his power to help his team win.

Right now, the MVP race is close. Too close to call. Sunday’s game could tilt things in favor of Nash or Nowitzki.

Two weeks back, on March 14th, the Phoenix Suns edged the Dallas Mavericks 129-127 in a double overtime classic.

This game was filled with amazing plotlines and twists. [Dirk Nowitzki->http://www.google.ca/] missed two late free throws that would have sealed a victory for Dallas. Steve Nash was epic, hitting for 10 points in the final minute to force overtime. And Amare Stoudemire nailed 16 of 19 shots and finished with a game high 41 points.

On Sunday, like a pair of heavyweight prize fighters, these same two teams meet in the rematch.

Think Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, ‘Thrilla in Manila’ style. Think Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, the sequel. And somewhere, behind a bush, Don King is probably lurking, devising a way to get in on the action.

The hype is warranted. Fans and journalists have been waiting for Sunday’s game. It could also settle the MVP debate between Nash and Nowitzki.

Here’s two things we should we look for from the Mavericks in the rematch:

1) Dallas likes to defend Steve Nash with a big body. On Sunday, Josh Howard could draw the MVP on defense.

2) Dallas has nobody that can guard Amare Stoudemire. That includes Kevin Willis.

And here’s two things we should look for from the Suns in the rematch:

1) Phoenix needs a big game from Boris Diaw. The pride of France has Houdini tendencies and can quickly go from voila to straight vanishing. Two weeks back, Diaw contributed just 4 points and 2 assists in 20 minutes against Dallas.

 2) Phoenix has to start playing their bench. The Suns typically use 7-8 players. Against Dallas, in a double overtime game, they only used 8 players. This won’t do. No modern team has ever won an NBA Title with such a short rotation. Mike D’Antoni, the Suns’ coach, must figure out a way to give his bench consistent minutes.

 Basketball fans have been waiting for Sunday’s rematch between Dallas and Phoenix. Ironically, it’s April Fools Day, so expect the unexpected. But you can also expect an entertaining game from these rival teams.

The Toronto Raptors proved something with their recent win over the Miami Heat. The Raptors proved they could overcome the loss of Jorge Garbajosa, their blue-collar forward who sustained a serious ankle injury on Monday night in a game against the Celtics.

This isn’t meant to minimize Garbajosa’s contributions. He’s a terrific glue player. He rebounds. He sets solid screens. He knocks down enough shots to keep opposing defenses honest. And he defends.

With his rugged style, the Spanish forward has helped to kill the perception that European players are soft. That’s another reason why Garbajosa’s season ending injury was so disappointing.

Toronto will be fine. They’ve already played through injuries to Chris Bosh, T.J. Ford, Andrea Bargnani, and Anthony Parker. No player complained or asked for sympathy. Not once. They simply adjusted.

With Garbajosa out for an extended period, the Raptors will once again adjust. Here’s what they’ll likely do:

 • Anthony Parker will shift to the small forward spot.

 • Juan Dixon will get additional minutes in the backcourt.

 • Morris Peterson and Joey Graham will see time at the forward spots.

 • Kris Humphries, a tough inside player, will get a chance at regular minutes.

 Bryan Colangelo, the T-Dot’s new GM, deserves credit for building such a deep roster. Coach Sam Mitchell should be recognized for keeping his team focused.

Since January 1st, Toronto has the Eastern Conference’s best record. And their winning ways won’t be stopped by an injury to a key player.

Last night, the Dallas Mavericks clinched their 60th victory. After a disappointing 0-4 start, Mark Cuban’s crew has posted a 60-7 record.

Here’s why Dallas has been so successful:

1) Avery Johnson, the Mavericks’ coach, has taken San Antonio’s defensive system and applied it to Dallas.

2) Dirk Nowitzki has played like an MVP.

3) Josh Howard and Jason Terry are terrific blending players.

4) They have a deep roster.

5) Mark Cuban has built an excellent organization. This attracts talent.

Websites are reporting that the Dallas Mavericks will bring in Kevin Willis for a tryout.

Okay, back in the day, Willis was a physical specimen. He once commanded double teams from opposing defenses. He always respected the game. And he accepted his role as a practice player for San Antonio when they won the NBA Title in 2003.

Willis deserves respect. He could still contribute as a practice player.

Games are a different story. Willis is 44. That’s 3 years older than the age listed on Dikembe Mutombo’s birth certificate. The other day Willis was on TV as part of The NBA’s Greatest Games. He played in the epic 1988 postseason series between the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics. That’s almost 20 years ago.

If Willis pulls a Rocky and signs with the Mavericks, then the flood gates are open for all retired posts to consider a comeback.

After hearing about Willis, these five are probably scheming on a comeback right now:

1) Michael Cage-Bring back the Jerry curl.

2) Benoit Benjamin-If your first 14 years don’t succeed, try again.

3) James Edwards-‘The Buddha’ could serve as a team’s spiritual mentor.

4) Larry Nance-He could still pack it on fools.

5) Charles Barkley-Did you see his race against Dick Bevita?