All weekend, I have been listening to probably one of the worst kept secrets – Kobe Bryant is the 2008 NBA’s Most Valuable Player. While I don’t discount Kobe as one the top, if not the best player in the NBA right now – I have a hard time making myself believe that he is the “Most Valuable Player” this year. What I found troubling, was hearing the comments: “It is his turn” or “look at his body of work”. Huh? Is this for the 2008 season, or is this a Lifetime Achievement Award. So I decided to compare the Top 3 candidates in my book for the MVP award this year: Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett. I didn’t include LeBron James in this conversation because while I consider him a candidate – I don’t consider him to be in the Top 3. So here we go:
Kobe Bryant:
For the first time, has really bought into Phil Jackson’s system and is playing some of the best team basketball in his career. Has the unique ability to completely take over a game and win a game outright by himself. But Bryant has been doing that for years. Besides Bryant’s play, the timely “steal” of Pau Gasol, as well as the development of some of the younger players (Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmer and Sasha Vujacic) have been a catalyst in thrusting this team to the top of Western Conference with a 57-25 record. But isn’t this the same Kobe Bryant that not only threw his GM and Owner under the bus during the off-season, but also demanded a trade because he didn’t like the direction of the team? It wasn’t until a couple of weeks INTO the season that he changed his mind and said he wanted to remain a Laker! Is it legit to demand a trade before the season and then receive the MVP award? What standard does this set? Will guys think that by complaining about their team and then raising the level of their play gets them a MVP award?
Chris Paul:
What can you not say about Chris Paul? Paul may be the best PG currently in the NBA – if not in the Top 3. Has been a willing face of a franchise and has helped save basketball in New Orleans – for now. With a cast of David West, Maurice Peterson, and Tyson Chandler, Paul has led the Hornets to the 2nd best record in the Western Conference at 56-26. He is the leader in pts (21.1 ppg), assists (11.6 pg) and steals (2.7 pg) of the Hornets, who have a 2-0 lead against the Spurs and are in position to dethrone the champions. While the question is worthy in Kobe’s case, where would the Hornets be without Paul? Maybe even a lack of controversy hurts him.
Kevin Garnett:
The man has helped change the direction of a franchise and has made the team relevant in a city that is dominated by the Red Sox and Patriots. With the addition of Garnett and Ray Allen, the result was the greatest turnaround in the history of the NBA – finishing with the best record in the NBA at 66-16. His intensity and passion for the game has gotten players like Pierce and Allen who have been more offensive minded in their careers – to play defense. The result: the best defense in the NBA and a “Defensive Player of the Year” award for Garnett. Garnett averaged nearly a double-double with 18.8 ppg and 9.2 assists pg. on a team where there was multiple offensive threats and used its defense as more as a catalyst for its offense.
So when I take a look, and I ask myself – is Kobe Bryant really the MVP this year? My thinking is no – that Chris Paul and Kevin Garnett had more of an impact on their teams. Furthermore, I believe that Garnett’s arrival to Boston changed the ENTIRE organization. It changed its fan base. The Boston Celtics became relevant again. So my vote: Kevin Garnett.
And yes, while my vote may be a little biased, I think it is valid. But let’s hear who your vote is and why? Who is your MVP for the 2008 NBA season?
Other Ramblings:
→ After watching Mike Bibby come up short against the Boston Celtics – do you think the Atlanta Hawks regret not taking Chris Paul instead of Marvin Williams? Williams is turning into a nice NBA player, but great PGs are hard to find. Can you imagine a team of Paul, Joe Johnson and Al Horford? Wow. Actually come to think of it – I am glad they took Marvin Williams.
→ For now the Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy plan is on hold with Hughes on the DL and Kennedy in the minors. Is it possible that the Yankees overrated these guys? Or maybe they just weren’t ready yet. Here is hoping that Hank Steinbrenner doesn’t get impatient and trade both away. Or for that matter – move Joba to the starting rotation. Even as a Red Sox fan, I don’t see either move helping the Yankees.
→ This past weekend’s Kentucky Derby was marred by the fatal injuries to Eight Belles. In talking with a friend who is into horse racing – injuries to horses during a race is rare – and to have it happen twice in recent high publicized races is unfortunate. Even he worried that people would get the wrong idea and think the sport is cruel.
PETA’s calling for the suspension of the jockey – without knowing the facts was ridiculous and irresponsible. I am all for animals not being treated cruelly, but get your facts straight before you go after someone. However, their claims have brought to light some practices within horse racing that I hope are changed in the near future:
1. Whipping of the horses. In listening to Mike and Mike this morning, it was mentioned
that this is a practice that provides NO advantage for the racers. So what’s the point? Leave the whip at home and practice your S&M in the bedroom.
2. The use of painkillers or other masking drugs before a race. Essentially this is doping up
an animal – regardless of injury or defect to allow the horse to race. Now some of our athletes have done this with cortisone shots or other meds. But it is done by choice and they obviously have a means to say “when”. I find this disturbing. Not to speculate that this happened with Eight Belles, but how many other horses are out there with that risk?
→ Roger Clemens apologized for “personal flaws” yesterday, but denied having an affair with 15 year old Mindy McCready. Huh? So there are other personal flaws? Do I really want to know about this? Roger do us a favor and drop the defamation suit. The longer the suit is out there, the more personal history that will continue to come to light. Please Roger, I am begging you – STOP!!
→ Chase Utley for the Philadelphia Phillies has 11 Home Runs already. Is this a product of being the best 2nd baseman in the Major Leagues or hitting in a sandbox ball field? Better yet, hitting in front of Ryan Howard can do wonders for how many fastballs you see in an at-bat.
→ Jim Leyland attempted to jump start his team by making personnel moves and lineup changes. The result? A 4th consecutive loss; this time at the hands of the Red Sox. So what is ailing the Tigers? After watching 10 walks last night issued by Red Sox pitchers, hitting with runners in scoring position seems to be an issue. But so does starting pitching. Verlander has yet to look like an ace. Bonderman and Rogers have been erratic. Willis was terrible before going on the DL. Don’t be surprise if the Twins and Indians surge past the Tigers.
→ Mike D’Antoni is still the Suns coach per Steve Kerr’s comments. Yet, he is allowed to speak with other teams about open coaching positions (Bulls and Knicks). Seems like they are going to fire him, but didn’t want to have it lumped in with the Avery Johnson firing. Which leads me to…
→ Why are NBA analysts suddenly hot choices for open coaching position? No offense to Kenny Smith, but what has he done to make himself a candidate for an NBA position? Mark Jackson is also a candidate. If these guys are candidates, then why is our own Casey not a candidate? Charles Barkley running for Governor is a different story.
That’s it for now. Remember guys – it is Mother’s Day on Sunday. Be good to your Mom.
I don’t profess to know much about horse racing, but I’ve paid attention to a few commentaries and read a couple of articles since Saturday. The whole ‘breeding for speed’ issue seems rather alarming. That farms are deliberately ignoring durability as something important for race horses and trying to groom animals to win races could be killing the sport. Just looking at a horse – you know the thing is in trouble – friggin’ massive bodies on Q-tip legs. I am amazed that more accidents have not occurred before this.
Couple of reasons why KG was not elected MVP: you mentioned one – Ray Allen came in with him. Both had a positive effect on the Celts. Yes, KG brings a defensive attitude. No one can argue that, but KG is surrounded by a pretty good cast. Rajan Rondo has benefited from KG, Allen, and Pierce, but he has still made remarkable contributions. Last – KG almost seems reluctant at times to take the big shot. There is a fine line between selflessness and a lack of confidence in this situation, and he may be flirting with it.
Of the three guys – KG, Chris Paul, and Kobe – Kobe is probably the most ‘unguardable’.
How about Dice-K last night – he coulda slapped on a pair of thick-rimmed specs – taped at the bridge – and the Troggs coulda been howlin’ and I wouldn’t a known any different because he was the WILD THING.
Only Jim Leyland could drop Gary Sheffield to 6th in the lineup and get away with it. Doubt that Sheff will call his current skipper a racist.
Kenny Smith might make a pretty good coach. He was a point guard. Granted he should gain some experience as an assistant first.
Did anyone else hear the exchange Sunday between Mark Jackson and Sleepy Van Gundy – “You really think Nazareth College was big time basketball?” “When we went to St. John Fisher College, the place was rockin.” Great stuff!
I have to admit that Jeff Van Gundy is fast becoming my favorite commentator. I loved the Naz comment, but I also love how at times he just tells it like it is. LIke the conversation about how the Celtics reportedly really came together on their tour in Italy this summer. To which he replied, “Yeah, well two years ago, you could have taken that team to England, Italy, and Russia and that team still would have been bad. This was a good team to start with.”.. I love it.
Are there any managers out there, that command MORE respect then Jim Leyland? Probably a small hand full and yes, Tito Francona is one of the few. Bobby Cox is another.
I agree that Kenny Smith can become a good head coach. But he should start somewhere – as an assistant. Just going from the TNT Studios to the bench is a recipe for trouble.
MVP – any of the 3 are deserving. My vote is Kobe – he is a pretty good defender plus he is there go to guy on offense.
I also like Van Gundy as a commentator – come to think of it I like his brother as a coach. He has done a great job this year.
So sad about Clemens – you hear that things used to be different in the media – they just reported what the players did in games – the off the field transgressions were kept out of the daily rag. I kind of wish things were still like that. Unfortunately my memories of Clemens will include all of the recent garbage that has come to light instead of him on the mound striking out 20 batters in a game.
Kobe Bryant is probably the best basketball player in the NBA. That being said, MVP has the word valuable in there. Chris Paul has done the most with the least, and if you take Kobe off the Lakers or KG off the Celtics, I believe they would have had better seasons than taking Paul off of the Hornets.
Kobe does not deserve the MVP. I firmly believe that you shouldn’t be able to a demand a trade and basically call out your teammates, and then be around when a blockbuster trade occurs and win the MVP. Paul, KG, or Lebron would have been more deserving choices, even if Kobe is the best all-around basketball player.
And I hope Da Bulls steal D’Antoni. He may have one more good year to make a run with the Suns, but the Bulls are younger and have potential.
Big Z pitched another gem tonight. I would start implying awards and accolades that could happen in the future, but being a Cubs fan I believe in jinxs and curses. Seeing Fukodome on the cover of SI made me a wee bit nervous,
I don’t think MVP means we should take quotes and off-court antics into consideration. Why is it a bad thing that Kobe called out his teammates and demanded a trade? Bynum’s turn around season before the injury was probably because he felt the heat from his team leader. I seem to remember a certain player with the initials MJ being notorious for calling his guys out (ahem-Bill Cartwright), though it may not have been in a public forum. And Kobe’s trade demand was clearly strategy. Do the Lakers make that trade for Gasol if their best player is not demanding more from them? They, too, felt the heat from Kobe and decided they would get what he wanted. So where did all of Kobe’s demands and complaints and play get the Lakers? The best in the West. Sounds like an MVP to me.
It’s also not fair to just hand it over to Garnett because he turned the Celtics around, lest we forget how bad the T-Wolves were with him. I credit Kobe even more because he is making his current team into a contender, something Garnett couldn’t do. While we’re on trade demands, why has Garnett been given a free pass? Wasn’t he pretty vociferous about his demands in his final years in Minnesota? Garnett has much more surrounding experience and talent than either Paul and Kobe (pre-Gasol).
That leaves Chris Paul. I agree with Smitty, where are his flaws this season? None really and that Hornets team is BAD without him. TNT ran a stat one night that showed how many points Paul accounted for, counting PPG and assists. I think he was first in the league. I would personally give it to Paul, but it is hard to make a case against either of these guys.
I am not sure Kobe called his teammates out as opposed just saying they weren’t going to win a championship. If he said guys needed to step up and play a bigger role – that to me is constructive calling out a teammate. But openly questioning the direction of the team to the press and demanding a trade – don’t seem like the actions of a MVP. Tell me, Manny Ramirez for a couple of years openly requested a trade. If he had gone out a won the Triple Crown, would you be casting your vote for him as MVP? I think alot of people would vote elsewhere.
Garnett never requested a trade. In fact he was pretty insistent on staying in Minnesota. Once the trade rumors really kicked in, he saw the writing on the wall and went with a trade.
All 3 guys are deserving – I just think Garnett and Paul are more deserving. It bothers me that you hear comments like, “Well Paul and LeBron are probably going to win it the next couple of years, so this is Kobe’s year”. This isn’t a Lifetime Achievement Award. That would be like Martin Scorcese winning the Oscar for Best Director for Gangs of New York, when he should have won for Raging Bull.
JD – Completely agree with you about Clemens. Skeletons should stay in the closet. As long as he keeps this defamation suit going against McNamee, more and more of his skeletons are going to come out. Drop the suit and move on. Walk into the sunset with at least a piece of your image not tarnished.
“Tell me, Manny Ramirez for a couple of years openly requested a trade. If he had gone out a won the Triple Crown, would you be casting your vote for him as MVP?”
Yes. Since when did the MVP denote some type of ethical obligation? Kobe demanded a trade because he did not agree with the direction of the organization. He has that right. If he calls out his teammates, then he can – it’s his team. Kobe scores at will, plays defense, survived an injury to his best big man, got his organization to grow some cajones and get a decent supporting cast member in Gasol. What is the result? They win the conference. And he shouldn’t be the MVP because of his criticism of his organization? That’s absurd. Everyone is right – it’s not a lifetime achievement award. It’s also not a character award. Roman Polanski won best director because he was the best director – and he’s a wanted criminal! And Kobe shouldn’t get the MVP because he demanded more out of his team? Just because the media reports on these demands of Kobe and Manny, doesn’t mean anyone in the organization gives a damn. Kobe still went out and did his best for the organization. If he does it and is a jerk about it, it doesn’t matter in MVP terms. He performed – bottom line. If Manny won the triple crown and got snubbed for the MVP because he demanded a trade, that shows that people have become products of the media. How much more valuable can a baseball player get to his team!?
Garnett may or may not have demanded a trade, but he was critical of his organization and wanted changes. If you want changes, doesn’t an ultimatum soon follow? He gets traded to a team and turns them around. That’s great. He also had some assistance by TWO all-stars. Does anyone discredit Ray Borque for wanting to go to a contender and win a cup? He did everything he could for the Bruins and if they were not going to have the same expectations, then he has every right to leave. *Just a note – I have no clue if Borque demanded, wanted, desired, or even mentioned a trade. But I would guess he didn’t mind it.
Helmet sticker!
Reynell, I have no problem with a player wanting more from him teammates and from an organization. I have a problem with how they did it. Did you ever hear Bourque express his displeasure with the media? He definitely didn’t because if he had said it in Boston it was definitely front page material. The fact is, he was trade after 20 years with the organization, when the team admitted they were going in a new direction and as a favor to Ray Bourque traded him to a contender. Yet, you never heard him say a word to the media. Whether he requested a trade at the end I don’t know, but it took 20 years to get there.
Now granted he had the last laugh and the greatest rub it in your face moment, when Bourque brought the Stanley Cup back as a member of the Avalanche to share with the Boston people. If you ask anyone that follows NHL, Harry Sinden is one of the people who is/has ruined the NHL. Sinden was the guy who wanted the Sabres organization to raise their ticket prices, because he thought they could make more money and not make his prices look so bad – even though we are talking about 2 different economies.
My problem is how Kobe handled it. You want more, yeah call your players out, you want a trade – go to your owner. But he went through the media. To me that brings you down a peg. That is my opinion. We can certainly agree to disagree.
But If you don’t think other factors come into play, then take a look at the 2005 American League MVP vote, where David Ortiz was left off some voters ballots and dropped farther down in others because he was DH. Nevermind the fact that Ortiz hit .346 (27-for-78) with 11 home runs, 33 RBIs and a .447 on-base percentage in the 7th inning and on in that year. That really wasn’t a good Red Sox team and really had no business being in the playoffs – shown by the quick exit as the hands of a better White Sox team.
Or given the simple fact that no pitcher has won the CY Young and the MVP award since Willie Hernandez did in 1984. In fact in 1999, Pedro Martinez came the closest winning the Cy Young and finishing 13 points behind Pudge Rodriguez.. And why? Because a voter left him completely off his ballot because he/she thought that a pitcher couldn’t win both awards.
In that year, Pedro went 23-4, with a 2.07 ERA and a club record 313 strikeouts. He struck out 15 or more batters 6 times. He allowed only 37 walks (the lowest total in history for a member of the 300-strikeout club) and gave up only 9 home runs, none of them with runners on base. Quite possibly one of the best seasons by a pitcher in the last 20-30 years. And his heroics in the Divisional series against Cleveland were amazing.
I didn’t do a very good job with the Manny example. I didn’t finish my point on it. But I would be willing to bet that people wouldn’t have voted for him or given him a first place vote, because of his perceived lack of playing defense or for some of his antics. It wouldn’t be what guys in the locker room believe – it would what the writers perceived him to be. If you don’t think wouldn’t do it, you are kidding yourself.
Yeah Garnett had to help of 2 All-Stars . Neither of them were known for playing defense. In fact I don’t think defense was in Ray Allen’s game. But Garnett got them to buy into playing a different way so they could win a championship. He got a team to be relevant again in a city that was focused on the Red Sox and Patriots. I admit my view was biased and pointed that out.
I am also not taking anything away from Kobe. Hands down I think he is the best player in the league. But didn’t the Lakers really take off when the Paul Gasol trade was made? Didn’t they have a pretty good winning streak after he started playing? Does adding an All-Star to the Lakers’ roster take away from what Kobe did? No.
The fact is all 4 – including LeBron are deserving. The more I look at numbers, I think Chris Paul should be the MVP. Seeing the way he and the Hornets are playing against the Spurs – impresses me even more.
I believe that character should play a part, if even a small one, in MVP balloting. The MVP is supposed to be the face of the league, it’s basically a huge Employee of the Year award. The MVP should be what the rest of the players want to strive for, to exemplify. And if every good player on a team that doesn’t seemed destined for greateness starts bitching and moaning in a mall parking lot, I think I’ll lose all respect for the NBA. Kobe’s actions are ones that should not be looked up to, but frowned upon, whether he is the best player in the NBA or not and whether or not the end result worked out for him.
Had he been traded to the Bulls this season, put up the same numbers and won a top 4 seed in the East, which is what HE wanted this past off-season, would we be having this discussion?
If Kobe was hands down the best and only MVP candidate this wouldn’t be an issue. But with a race close with so many deserving candidates, personal character should become a factor.
The pitcher analogy can’t be used either because the problem with a pitcher is that he doesn’t play everyday. The Cy Young is the MVP for pitchers, so no – pitchers shouldn’t win both. That may be beside the point though. Your MVP can’t watch from the dugout as your team is losing a lead because he threw a CG the night before.
Z Dubbz – You are right. MVP’s are the face of their respective leagues. They must make sure that they have the right guys in the forefront to create an image that sells and is appropriate. But don’t the players then also have that right to conduct and seek the best business decisions on their own behalf? That’s the problem. Why is Kobe the bad guy in all this? The Lakers were going to do NOTHING. He saw all the young talent in the league, knew that the whole “you can’t win without Shaq” comments were going to forever plague him, so he made his move. He didn’t do it through the media, the media took a leak (and it probably was Kobe who leaked it) and completely ran with it. Once the cat was out of the bag, Kobe ran with it too. He forced them into action, like a good businessman.
And yes, the Lakers did turn things around when Gasol arrived. But Gasol went down with an injury for several games, too. I don’t understand how anything a player says or does (that is not against the law) should impact a vote. It’s a shame it is like this. Kobe isn’t liked therefore he is going to have one hell of a time EVERY year for the rest of his playing days to get the recognition his play merits. That’s wrong.
Ty Cobb was a jerk (there are much better words that are not appropriate for the clipboard). Babe Ruth was a philandering drunk, but we put them in with the greatest. Terrible role models and truly not very good for the image of what the MLB wanted. But do we talk about those things? No. We talk about their performance on the field and their innovation to the game.
I am not a fan of Kobe. Have never been a fan. Probably will never be a fan. In fact when he came into the league, Kobe was the butt of many of my jokes – much ballyhooed prospect playing with the most dominant center in the league and every time that 300+lb. center got position in the post, Kobe thought it was time for a jump shot. Yeah Kobe just keep chuckin ’em. Eventually one or two will go in.
Then the Zenmaster came along and Kobe got a game and a few rings. That wasn’t good enough. He had to prove he could do it on his own. That didn’t work too well. Don’t forget the Denver fiasco.
Thing is – a year ago if there was one word to describe the Laker organization, as they exited after the first round, it was complacent. They have their star-studded fan base that will come to watch Kobe even if the team is not championship caliber. That was good enough for everyone…except Kobe.
Did I shake my head when he started belly-aching last summer? Yeah.
But look what’s gone on since. Yeah Derek Fisher was gift-wrapped for them. But there is this thing about Kobe’s finger injury that has been left out the discussion. A complete tear of the radial collateral ligament, an avulsion fracture, and a volar plate injury at the MCP joint of the small finger of his right hand? Don’t know what actually that is, but he must experience some degree of pain every time he touches the ball. And last time I checked, Kobe touches the ball EVERY possession.
Would any of us have blamed Kobe if he shut it down at the all-star break? That would have made the Gasol trade completely irrelevant because Pau needs Kobe A LOT more than Kobe needs Pau.
All that being said Kobe or Chris Paul? I can make a case for either of them.
If someone made this into a ‘lifetime achievement’ award, that was wrong. Kobe has earned this based on what he has done this year.
Smitty, Z Dubbz, Reynell, and JD – great friggin’ discussion. I frequent a few blog sites, and I can say, without a doubt, I never see discussions any where else that carry this breadth of understanding. Helmet stickers for all. You are why the Clipboard is the best kept secret. Reynell – it would be great if Saroney was part of this discussion (insert smiley face with a wink).
To all – I will write up more on this later – Thrilla was named Regional coach of the year. In his first year as head coach the Monroe Community College Tribunes again won their region and move on to the Districts this weekend in Maryland.
JD- I have to go against your comment on Clemens and the media. This is coming out because Clemens has become so arrogant that he thought he was untouchable BECAUSE the media had left him alone about his private life- he thought he could do a Kevin Costner at the beginning of Dances With Wolves- only with his eyes wide open daring the media to shoot him off his white horse, instead of Costner’s eyes closed hoping to have it end there…maybe Matt Walsh’s feelings long about now…
Kobe or Chris Paul?… tough call because Kobe brings so much baggage and Paul doesn’t bring so much as a brown paper lunch bag…Kobe has put in his time (I can’t say that he has paid his dues due to a certain incident in Colorado) but who’s team would be worse off without him…I am guessing that would be the Hornets which points me towards young Mr. Paul…
I tend to agree with JD. I don’t need to know about Clemens and what A-Rod did when his daughter was born. I would rather not know about Matt Leinart’s parties or for that matter what John Daly does for kicks. I would rather talk about the game. Yeah Clemens had this coming to him because our media is so inflated.
If Roger spent 5 minutes telling us all the truth, I won’t know any of this personal garbage because he would not be suing his trainer for telling the truth for him…
Funny thing about this whole saga is that Roger has no problem with everyone knowing his personal trainer used his bedroom to inject Mrs. Clemens…with HGH. Don’t you think you would want to keep that juicy morsel away from the public’s appetite?
Roger riding his horse thinking that one bullet hitting his wife is one less that can hit him…
Helmet sticker!!!!!!!
In some ways I think sports reporters have probably enabled professional athletes into thinking they can get away with anything. As these guys travel from city to city – you have to think that players have probably been seen with someone other then their wives. In the past, I think reporters as an unwritten code probably protected their bread winners and kept the bad stuff out of the papers.
But now the nature of the beast has changed. Readers want to know everything and reporters are giving them everything – including the negative stuff.
Roger riding a horse.. It is on the same HGH he and his wife used. “It’s so good, we even use it on our pets.”