Taking a look at who and why players are voted the NBA MVP.
Lebron? Kobe? D-Wade? These are the names that people speak of when they talk about this years NBA MVP. When you look at the years these players have had, any of them can go away with the MVP. But what is the criteria for MVP exactly? Is it the best player in the NBA? Is it the most valuable player on the best team? Is it the most valuable player for their team? Is it all of the above? Let's take a look at these players and then you tell me who you want to win the MVP.
1. Lebron James. He is probably the front runner to win the MVP this year. His team has the best record in the league. Last night the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the #1 spot in the Eastern Conference. They also got some breathing room with the LA Lakers losing to the Portland Trailblazers. He's averaging 28.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.3 assists this year. He was featured on 60 minutes a few weeks ago. His team doesn't only have the best record in the NBA but they only have one loss at home. He's one of the best players in the NBA (some believe he's the best). He is making people in Ohio outside of Cleveland that don't necessarily like Cleveland sports root for the Cavaliers. As well as getting more Cavalier fans outside of Ohio. He's doing a lot for his team and the NBA.
2. Dwayne Wade. I'm a big fan of D-Wade. I remember watching him put the Miami Heat (include Shaq) on his back and bring them back from 2 games down, and down 13 with 6 minutes left in game 3 of the 2006 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, to win 4 games in a row and take home the championship and MVP. You'll hear analyst say that you can't win 4 games in a row in the playoffs. Well D-Wade and the Heat did. But that team is rather different from the Miami Heat today. Take Dwayne Wade off of this team and how many games do they win? Are they even in the playoffs? Doubtful. Dwayne Wade is very important to this teams success. This years he's averaging 29.8 points, 5 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
3. Kobe Bryant. Many may argue about this but I think that Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA. He deserved the MVP last year. He's on a mission this year to win the Finals MVP. Some think he's selfish and not a team player. Some just hate to hate. He's averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists this year. He and the Lakers have run away with the Western Conference this year. With Bynum back he finally has another team around him that can help him win the championship. Maybe he'll have to go through Cleveland to get it, but that one loss the Cavs have is from the Lakers. And Kobe had the flu.
So who will win the MVP this year? Again, it depends on what your criteria is. If you want to vote for the best player then Kobe gets it. But if that's your criteria, why didn't Jordan win it every year? How bout the most valuable player for their team. That would be D-Wade. But remember when Kobe had a team like D-Wade does now. They said that he couldn't win cause of his teams record. Or do you pick the best player on the best team? Right now that would be Lebron. But if the Lakers get the best record does that mean Kobe gets it?
If I had a vote I would pick Lebron. You may think it's because I live in Ohio but Lebron isn't my favorite player. He may be 3rd on my list. But I can't take away the year he has had. He's one of the best players in the league. He's very valuable to his team as well as the league. He has helped his team get the best record in the East and possibly end up with homecourt throughout the playoffs. This year has pretty much been The Year of Lebron in the NBA. At least the regular season has been. Who knows what's going to happen in the playoffs. As far as the regular season goes, Lebron has my vote for MVP.