2008 NBA MVP Race

Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul Front-Runners for Most Valuable Player Award

Apr 18, 2008

A breakdown of the top NBA MVP candidates.

There's a tight race for the 2008 NBA MVP race. Most consider Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, Kobe Bryant of the LA Lakers, Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers to be the top candidates. Here's a break down of those four players as well as arguments for and against them as to why they should win the award.

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets: Nobody suspected that the Hornets would be as good as they were this season. They had the second best record in the league this year, which doesn't happen without Chris Paul. He led the league in steals (2.7 per game) and assists (11.6 per game), while committing just 2.5 topg. He scored 21.1 ppg, while shooting 49% from the field and 85% from the line, and he was the team's leader at both ends of the court.
Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers: Kobe has made quite a case for the MVP award this season. He led the Lakers to the best record in the competitive Western Conference. Keep in mind that even though the Lakers landed Pau Gasol late in the season, they were near the top even before that trade occurred. Bryant's done a great job getting his teammates involved this season. Aside from his 28.3 ppg scoring average, Bryant's averaged 6.3 rbpg, 5.4 apg, 1.8 spg, and shot 46% from the field and 84% from the line.
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics: Garnett may not have had the same kind of statistical season as the other players mentioned on this list, but he was just as effective. He was the anchor and leader of the league's best defense, and was the emotional leader in the locker room as well. Plus, his 18.8 ppg, 9.2 rbpg and 54% field goal shooting is nothing to sneeze at. The big knock against him is that Boston was 9-2 in games that he didn't play.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron is a beast and might be the most versatile player in the league. His 30.0 ppg, 7.9 rbpg and 7.2 apg average is without compare in the league. Yet, his team may not be good enough to help him get the award.

PredictionsThe race is really against Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul. Bryant will likely end up winning it, but Paul may be just as deserving. Both players have led their prospective teams to surprising seasons, and it may come down to a photo finish.

The copyright of the article 2008 NBA MVP Race in NBA is owned by Phil Partington. Permission to republish 2008 NBA MVP Race must be granted by the author in writing.

Comments

May 9, 2008 12:24 PM

Guest :

the mvp is an award given to the best player in the league. dirk nowitski was the best player on the team with the best record last year and he got it which is complete bullshit. If your going to do it that way then why the hell does garnette not get it this year why is he in such a fight with lebron just to be ranked 3rd overall in the rankings. The coach of the year should be the only award that should be given out due to the teams record not the mvp. So that’s why garnette should not get it. Lebron is more deserving that kg sure all the bandwagon jumping boston fans are going to hate on me for that. But the mvp is clearly between chris paul lebron and kobe. Now I do not have a biast opinion even though my favorite player of all time is kobe Bryant along with Jordan. But kobe has been the best player in the league for the past years. And he was the best player this year. Plays great d has the highest NBA IQ in the league I think. And has the best offensive game since Jordan. Who gives a shit about the great story of new Orleans and there great season. And you cant argue with record as the laker record is better then the new Orleans record. Sure paul had a great season. But kobe is the clear cut winner and deserves the award he received a couple of days ago. SUNS are gay and la is bringing home another ring once they dispose of utah in another sweep. Hopefully boston makes it to the finals so kobe can shit kick the big three… GO kobe mvp go lakers.

May 9, 2008 11:24 AM

Guest :

Just to let everyone know, Kobe is the most deserving. Yes after all these years he has been overlooked but all in all he continued to play his game the way he knows how to play it. I mean come on (even though this was about a year ago) anyone that score 81 points in a game and still doesn't get MVP is well deserving in my book.

May 6, 2008 7:03 AM

Guest :

KOBE KOBE KOBE KOBE.................MVP

May 6, 2008 4:13 AM

Guest :

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
"Yet, his team may not be good enough to help him get the award."

-OH PLEASE! They're on their way back to the finals, they are currently facing the celtics. Whatever you say, they're still alive and kicking dude! Chris Paul may get the MVP award but kobe? I doubt it. Stats of Kobe(28.3 ppg, 6.3 rbpg, 5.4 apg) are incomparable to that of Lebron's(30.0 ppg, 7.9 rbpg, 7.2 apg) not to mention his average in steals. And let's face it, they're on the same level in the playoffs. =)

May 6, 2008 1:34 AM

Guest :

to all you who said Kobe you know your stuff and to all those who said otherwise...children you still have some learn some past and present NBA tendencies, robberies, and politics in the MVP voting.

And MVP is not MOST VALUABLE PLAYER...in the league...not just to his team...but in general...in other words greatest impact on a winning team...not a baring making the playoffs team...Kobe won it...he is great...you can't say he is the best player in the league but he would be the number 1 choice for 90% of the teams as a first pick.

May 5, 2008 9:47 PM

Guest :

i like lebrone james to be awrded as mvp this season... pls give him the award, coz his putting/bringing cleveland on top...

May 5, 2008 5:18 PM

Guest :

CHRIS PAUL

May 4, 2008 1:11 PM

Guest :

KOBE BRYANT IS DA BEST
KOBE #1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HE DESERVES IT
BRYANT 4 MVP!!!

May 4, 2008 12:20 PM

Guest :

Are you all crazy? Have you been watching this season? There is only player deserving of this award which should include on and off the court!!!!
Lebron James

May 3, 2008 1:59 PM

Guest :

kobe bryant is a big ballhog. chris paul is the man does everything on the court. plays hard defense. scores. makes everyone on his team better. you can't ask for anything more. CP3 for MVP!

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