Sorry Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant cashed in his IOU for the MVP
The Western Conference playoffs have been talked about since the beginning of the season and after the first games of the first round they definitely lived up to all the hype. But I want to take this moment to address a serious matter in which a huge mistake is going to be made that will forever be a part of NBA history and that is the selection of the NBA MVP for the 2007-2008 season.
It seems pretty clear at this point that those who can vote are leaning towards Kobe Bryant for the MVP award. I have read on several major sporting sites writers express a sense of “owing” Kobe Bryant the MVP award because he hasn’t won it before. This general feeling of “owing” Kobe Bryant is catching on with NBA fans and bloggers alike. Its not the intention of this post to tell you the readers, fans and writers what you should “feel” for Kobe. If you think you “owe” Kobe Bryant something then go nuts. But this is to REMIND you that the selection of the NBA MVP should be based on more than a feeling of “owing” or feeling pity for someone who hasn’t won it yet. If these are the factors Most Valuable Players are now being selected by then the NBA is dead and the award is meaningless.
This whole thing is like a pity party allowing Kobe Bryant to cash in an I.O.U. for an MVP award. There is no value in that! Might as well slap an asterisk on the award with small print that reads “*Because we felt bad that Kobe Bryant never got one.”
The NBA MVP award is a reflection of the ultimate player in the greatest basketball league in the world. Although the game is a huge part of the equation, other factors such as off court behavior and future direction of the NBA should be a consideration.
People lets not forget there is a reason why Kobe Bryant hasn’t won an MVP award and mostly it is because of his UN-MVP like behavior on and off the court. Remember the “its me or Shaq” that forced a trade? What about the infidelity in Colorado? Did we forget just this last summer the bashing (probably deserved) that Andrew Bynum got? And the constant “trade me” whining? How about tanking his game in last years playoffs that only Charles Barkely had the balls to call out? I ask you is that an NBA MVP? Seriously?
Now you got a real NBA MVP contender in Chris Paul who puts up serious numbers for the Hornets. Chris Paul does not have the luxury players like Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and DFish bailing him out when facing a game loss. Chris Paul is the heart and soul of the Hornets and has turned around the Hornets in a huge way. With the ability to put up MVP stats, genuinely improve his teammates and be a great indicator of the future direction of the NBA I ask “How can you not select Chris Paul as MVP?”
The worst part is it seems those who can vote are on the “Chris Paul is young and can win it later” bandwagon. It is an abuse of authority and power that contributes to the erosion of what once was a great NBA.
Joe
April 21st, 2008 at 7:14 pm
You’re an idiot if you really believe this…
Sancho
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
First off I feel no pity for Bryant, none at all. Would I vote for him as MVP, Maybe. Don’t get me wrong he’s a great player there’s no doubt about that. Is his play MVP caliber, Yes. But when your action off the court take main stage it can be disruptive to an organization. How many times do you need to mouth off about wanting to be traded before you’re taken seriously? Ignoring other potential MVPs (Chris Paul) because you feel he’s paid his dues is ludicrous.