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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 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Apr 19, 2008 8:42 PM
Kyle West :
Great Article...However I believe Chris Paul will win the MVP. Let me tell
what will cause him not to first. If Kobe Bryant takes it because hes Kobe
Bryant. Don't get me wrong he is the best player, and he did have a great
season. But his team is full of solid veterns that have a lot of
experience. He doesn't have to be the all out leader. Thats what Chris Paul
is to the Hornets. He took the pieces and formed the puzzle. He used his
strenths to bring out his teammates strengths. That his how the Hornets
went from a sub par team to one of the best in the toughest interconference
play the NBA has seen for years,
Apr 22, 2008 8:14 AM
Phil Partington :
I have no arguments against Paul winning MVP. I actually prefer Paul to
Kobe as a fan, and I don't think you're wrong in suggesting that Bryant
might win it based on past-performance. Sadly, I think bias does slip in at
times (notice how Chauncey Billups never made an All Star team until he won
finals MVP?). Paul's definitely had an MVP season and I'd even consider him
the number one point guard in the NBA - even over Steve Nash. I still say
Nash gets much of his numbers because he's in the ideal system for that,
even though he's the one who makes it work. Yet, Paul plays at both ends of
the floor and doesn't turn the ball over nearly as often as Nash.
Still, I still think Kobe's just as deserving if not more deserving than
Paul. It's a toss-up. The objective side of me actually leans toward Kobe,
because he led that team to the top of the standings even before they
acquired Pau Gasol, and he's quietly made players around him better, like
Ronny Turiaf, Jordan Farmar and others.
But you're right.
Paul's very deserving, too. I don't think there's been a tighter race for
MVP in a long, long time and it'll be interesting to see what happens. I
wouldn't even mind seeing a co-MVP, though I think the fans would be pissed
:).
Apr 22, 2008 8:14 AM
Phil Partington :
I should mention, though in the article I believe I talked about Bryant,
Paul, KG and LeBron, Dwight Howard should also get some mention as an
outside candidate.
Apr 25, 2008 12:53 PM
Guest :
for me kobe is the best player in the world. he can fly, he can dribblle,
he can he jump shot and he can score basket if he want.
Apr 25, 2008 8:39 PM
Guest :
for me it is kobe bryant,,the very best player now in nba,,,,,,,,,,
Apr 27, 2008 6:00 AM
Guest :
yah! kobe is the best! Kobe 4 MVP!
Apr 27, 2008 11:15 AM
Guest :
kobe is the man because he is the boss of the all nba
Apr 28, 2008 3:26 AM
Guest :
Kobe should have won the MVP years ago and didn't because of the whole rape
thing. Now that it has been forgotten the league will award him the award
seeing he is one of the greatest players ever to play the game and it would
be a shame for him not to have won the award. Also seeing that his time in
the NBA as the top player is slowly winding down while Chris Paul is just
starting out as one of the top players.
Kobe and Chris both
deserve it and you could argue both ways, but because of history and
politic Kobe will win it. You can bet your house on it.
Apr 28, 2008 7:11 AM
Guest :
Congrats to Chris Paul for having a tremendous season leading his team to
the second seed in the Wild West,BUT,there is a fenomenal and spectacullar
player known as KOBE BRYANT who knock everybody in the league with his
young team. Heis the real MVP. Period.
Apr 28, 2008 7:15 AM
Phil Partington :
Regarding Bryant not winning MVP a few years ago because of the "rape
things", I don't think that had much to do with it. Fact is, it's rare
to see a player win MVP when his team doesn't have one of the league's top
three-to-five records...and Kobe's didn't. I don't agree with that
ideology, but that's the reality of it.
Apr 28, 2008 11:32 PM
Guest :
Kobe Bryant has been one of the most incredible basketball players of all
time. Why he has not won a MVP award yet is beyond me.Chris Paul is a great
player but KOBE hands down is the MAN and should be the MVP
Apr 29, 2008 12:37 AM
Guest :
I think politics does have a major role to play in the voting. Kobe, after
Shaq left, still led his team to the playoffs. That year with the 81 point
game when he won the scoring championship he should have won MVP. He alone
led them to the playoffs and nearly knocked out Phoenix. While Nash always
had Stoudamire, Marion, Diaw, Bell, Barbosa, and a slew of other really
good players. Kobe had Odom. The Suns still would have made the playoffs
without Nash with a worse record. The Lakers would have been the worst
team in the association with out Kobe....Thank God for
"Jordanesc" players like Kobe and Lebron...
Apr 29, 2008 7:31 AM
Guest :
This season's MVP award will definitely expose NBA as a body that
Basketball watchers cannot and will never trust if Kobe Bryant of LAL
doesn't win it. What else do you guys want Kobe to do before he wins the
the so called MVP. If Kobe doesn't win it, then the name should be changed
from Most Valuable Player MVP to Most Indeserving Player MIP. Everybody is
seeing how those that vote for this MVP vote against Kobe because most of
them who happen to play in the league same period as Kobe get jealous
because Kobe probably tormented most of them as a player when they matched
up against each other. A lot of them are angry at Kobe for denying them
championship ring at some time in their prime. Sorry it is time you guys
deal with it. It used to be Karl before he went to Phonix suns. He was
sooooooo angry and I believe he vowed that over his dead body would Kobe
win the award. Today we see there are many like him. Shame to NBA if this
happens. NBA has been disgraced enought and it it time the body stopped
allowing fools to mess up what is supposed to be an enjoyable game. Kobe
is the MVP.
Apr 29, 2008 11:32 AM
Guest :
Michael Jordan is the perfect player that ever play the game. But today
there's only one player near him and his name is Kobe Bryant. It's been a
long time since the NBA stole the MVP from him but this year it won't
happen again. I like Lebron, Garnett and CP3 there are all great players
but to be an MVP you must play well all year. The first part of the season
until the all star Garnett was # 1 and KOBE # 2, second part ot the season
CP3 was # 1 and KOBE # 2 so that means Kobe has been consistant all year
among them base on that fact he will be the MVP this year and I can assure
you if no injuries it won't be last , so watch out.
FRANCKLYN
ROMELUS
Apr 30, 2008 10:43 AM
Guest :
Kobe Bryant for MVP. he's a genius. he deserves it
Apr 30, 2008 12:41 PM
Guest :
I think that lebron is the best player of the entire world.look how lhe
dunks and flys up and down the court.the cavs are not the best but with 1
or 2 better players they can win the next years title.and i wont even
mention that lebron will be better and stronger.so I know that he is the
one and only mvp this year!!!
DOMINIK MLINAC
Apr 30, 2008 7:30 PM
Guest :
Okay, to start this off. All four are amazing players, and everyone knows
that. I like CP3, KG, and Kobe. I'm actually not that big of a fan of
Lebron James. But I have to admit, he is good. Lebron and KG I consider
automatically out. That means it is down to Kobe and CP3. For MVP you have
to show leadership, passion, and determination. Both of these players have
shown these three qualities. But, to me I have to believe Kobe showed more
determination. For example, he played the half the season with a broken
pinky finger. That's harsh, and he still didn't back down. This year he
stepped up his game to a whole new level by trusting his team. So, did CP3
though. And finally, he's also the only player in the NBA that can be
compared to Michael Jordan.
May 1, 2008 8:39 AM
Guest :
I honestly don't any of them deserving enough to be the most valuble
player. Everyone is saying Kobe because he took his team to the top, hell
no he didnt, he is a great player but before the Pau Gasol Trade the Lakers
were around the 6th or 7th spot in the west. Chris Paul is great and went
from barely missing playoff hopes last year to number 2 this year, but Paja
Stojacavic is a big help who was injured all last year and David West has
steped up to help out a lot too. KG is a beast, but he also has Ray Allen,
Paul Piece and Rondo, he aint doin it all on his own, and Lebron, He is
unstoppable, but last year he took hs team all the way to the finals but
didnt get it, so what makes you think he should this year when they have no
chance of going to the finals. MVP does not mean the best player, it means
the most valuable player, I dont even like this team at all, but the most
valuable player to his team is Andre Iguodala. He lost Iverson and stepped
up to the challenge and now does it all for them on his own and I think can
single handedly take the sixers past the pistons...
May 1, 2008 10:58 PM
Guest :
Fan of the belated suns here, I must say Kobe all the way!! Still cannot
belive shaq has got so many when he does not of much, Chris paul is Good
But not MVP worthy yet, KOBE ALL THE WAY!
May 2, 2008 1:14 AM
dunkadelicmc :
Chris Paul will not win the MVP award because a player must establish
himself in the league for some period of time. CP3 has 3 years under his
belt. LeBron has 5 and Kobe has 12. That's right KB24 has been in the
league 12 years and has 3 NBA Championships. Its his time now Chris Paul
will have his day when he hits the prime of his career.
May 2, 2008 10:59 AM
Guest :
To the last comment: Please do you reserve before you make a comment like
this, "before Pau Gasol Trade the Lakers were around 6th or 7th in the
West,..." You idiot, the Lakers were in 1st for much of the 1st half
before the slipped to 3rd entering the break. Gasol was in last place with
the Grizzles before the trade.
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!
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 4, 2008 1:11 PM
Guest :
KOBE BRYANT IS DA BEST
KOBE #1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HE DESERVES IT
BRYANT 4 MVP!!!
May 5, 2008 5:18 PM
Guest :
CHRIS PAUL
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 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 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 7:03 AM
Guest :
KOBE KOBE KOBE KOBE.................MVP
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 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.
31 Comments
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