NBA MVP Finalists
Kobe, K.G., King James, and Chris Paul Vie for Coveted MVP Title
As the playoffs approach, four finalists have emerged in the chase for the greatest NBA individual honor: the MVP trophy
With the NBA Playoffs fast approaching, the conference seeds are starting to pan out and everyone is getting geared up for the postseason, which should be extremely competitive, particularly in the Western Conference. There have been several plausible storylines throughout the NBA this season. The revival of the new-look Celtics, Shaq to the Suns, the Lakers back on top, and the emergence of Chris Paul. The newest hot topic is who will win the MVP in a season that has many viable candidates. The MVP candidate list have been cut to the final four.
Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Lebron James have come forward as the top players this season, in what could be one of the tightest MVP races in several years. First, Chris Paul emerged this year as a legitimate super-star and franchise player. He racked up incredible numbers that mimicked those of 2-time MVP Steve Nash, while leading the New Orleans Hornets to one of the top records in the dreaded Western Conference. In a less eventful season, Paul would probably win, but he is young and will likely win this award several times over.
Next, Lebron "King" James has once again composed eye-popping numbers, some of which the league has rarely seen. King James has consistently delivered 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists a game over the past few seasons, but is still not a proven leader. He appears to tighten up in crunch time and hasn't proven he can put a team on his back like an MJ or Kobe. James probably won't win the award no matter how large his individual numbers are until he demonstrates he can come up big consistently in the clutch. Kevin Garnett is no stranger to the MVP Award, winning it in the past, but this is arguably the best season he has ever put together. Garnett, with help from fellow all-star teammates, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen have turned the Boston Celtics around 180 degrees.
Once again, K.G. has dominating numbers and has shown a better leadership quality this year with Boston. K.G. could win this award again, but it will be in vain if the Celtics come up short of an NBA Title. Finally, Kobe Bryant is once again a finalist for the MVP Trophy. Kobe Bryant is universally-recognized as the greatest player in the game today, but oddly, in his 11-year career, he has yet to earn the distinguished honor of being named MVP.
Kobe is obviously the best player in the game, and has done an exceptional job keeping the injury-prone Lakers at or near the top of the Western Conference. He consistently hits the big shots, and has the ability to take over a game whenever he pleases. It is exceedingly important to have a player with that "killer instinct" come playoff time. There is no Shaq and the Lakers are a title-contender. This is Kobe's chance to prove his leadership qualities once and for all. Kobe should finally be recognized as the MVP, but it won't mean much if the Lakers don't perform in the playoffs.
