2008 NBA MVP Candidates

Kobe Bryant the Front-Runner for Most Valuable Player Award

© Phil Partington

Mar 5, 2008

The 2008 NBA MVP race features a crowded list of names. Yet, Los Angeles Lakers star guard Kobe Bryant should be the hands-down favorite. As fans have come to expect with Bryant, he's been impossible for defenses to stop and now has a supporting cast good enough to help him vie for an NBA championship.

The Lakers are currently tied with the San Antonio Spurs with the best record in the Western Conference (43-18); they've won nine of their last 10 games; and Kobe Bryant has been the cornerstone. Many believe he's been robbed of the award in the past. It's hard to imagine him doing more to deserve it this season. He's averaging 28.3 ppg, 6.1 rbpg, 5.3 apg, 2.0 spg, while shooting 46% from the field and 84% from the line. He's hit the big baskets when the team's needed it, he's played through injury, been a leader at both ends of the court, and has made his teammates better. In addition, Bryant hasn't missed a single game.

Other NBA MVP Candidates

• LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers - James does everything for the defending Eastern Conference champs. Take James out of that lineup and Cleveland's left with a lottery team. James has averaged 30.3 ppg, 8.1 rbpg, 7.5 apg, 2.0 spg, 1.0 bspg, while shooting 49% from the field. The biggest thing separating Kobe from James is team record and free throw shooting percentage.
• Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics - KG will certainly get his share of votes, but missing nine games might hurt his chances. Garnett changes Boston's mentality at the defensive end and gives them a viable low post option at the offensive end. He's an integral part of the lineup that's - so far - earned the best record in the NBA (46-12). He's averaged 18.5 ppg, 9.9 rbpg, 1.5 spg, 1.4 bspg, while shooting 54% from the field and 80% from the line.
• Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets - Paul broke into superstar status this year, and has led the young Hornets team to an astounding 40-19 record. He's averaging 20.9 ppg, 10.8 apg, a league-leading 2.7 spg, while shooting 48% from the field and 88% from the line.
• Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic - Howard's a dark-horse candidate for league MVP, but will likely miss out due to team record. The Magic are a much-improved 39-23 and have surprised fans this year with their consistently stellar play. Howard averages 21.7 ppg, a league-leading 14.6 rbpg, 2.4 bspg, while shooting 60.5% from the field. He is a liability at the foul line, and shoots just 59% in 11.6 attempts per game, but he's still one of the best young big men in the league.
• Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns - He's still the most important player on that Suns squad. In the last three seasons, the Suns are 4-13 in games he missed. This season, Nash is averaging 17.5 ppg, 11.4 apg, while shooting 46% from the field and 90% from the line.

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