As we continue to hand out our choices for the NBA's end of the year hardware, today we take on what is likely to be the most hotly contested award: the one for Most Valuable Player. It was a two-man race, and here are the results:
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Chris Paul
3. LeBron James
Kobe edges out CP3, by a count of three first place votes to two (out of six ballots). Kevin Garnett received the other first place vote. Kobe also received a second place and a third place vote, while Paul received two votes each for second and third. Wait a minute, that means someone left Kobe off of their ballot. Care to explain that one, Tom?
"Kobe's numbers show a poor man's LeBron. If LeBron had Bynum for three months and Pau for the other two, along with two good PGs and the bench L.A. has, he'd have 53 wins, too. Hell, he'd have 60 wins. (Also, I hate Kobe.)"
Fair enough, I guess. Reasons for Kobe ranged from the fact that Paul had a better supporting cast for most of the season, the fact that Kobe's not owned by a single player the way Paul is by Deron WIlliams, and that with Kobe instead of LeBron, the Cavs would likely be better than a four seed.
A decent argument can almost certainly be made against all of those statements, which is why this award is so close this year, especially between Kobe and Paul. I just think that this is the one year that Kobe's maintained his numbers, while finally making those around him better. Is Chris Paul doing the same thing? Probably. But after years of being considered the league's best player, it's time for Kobe to be officially recognized for it by finally receiving the MVP trophy.
