2007-2008 NBA Regular Season Thread

[miami_fan]

Or one of the greatest GMs ever in the NBA, Jerry West.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

It's so odd. In MLB and the NFL, there seems to be a "business" and "analysis" side of the front office so silliness like this doesn't happen. You just don't see players retire, be a token coach/front office schlub for a year, and then take over the most important position in your organization. In the NBA and somewhat in the NHL, this just isn't the case.

SI

it's so stupid. a former player does the commentator circuit, acts like he knows what he's talking about and lands a plum job running a team with no formal front office work whatsoever. i think in the case of Dumars, he didn't do the commentator thing - perhaps he had a prior role in the Pistons front office? i don't know, there's really a void between his playing days and his GM gig.

si: in the "exception to every rule dept", the only NFL exception i can think of is Matt Millen. FOX analyst, and somehow that qualified him to run the Lions.

but yeah, this certainly happens way too much in the NBA. Jordan, McHale, Isaiah, Kerr (?...we'll see, his Shaq trade is what will define his GM career and there's remains much to be seen), Ainge (hey, if all it took was to aquire KG and Allen and hope for the best anyone, yours truly included, could have done that. hey, when tanking doesn't work out for you then you might as well go all in.), Bird (hasn't done SHIT since he took over the Pacers, hasn't aquired anyone big and hasn't drafted anyone of big importance.) Paxson folded and is now on the fast track to a pink slip within the next 2 years. he had the East's best emerging team and he sat on his thumbs and let the Celtics do what he couldn't get the Bulls to do. Danny Ferry makes his 1st big move after having the Cavs running in place. he's on the clock now and everyone will see how aquiring Ben Wallace's fat contract will pan out. he can't claim responsibility for LeBron. i don't think he drafted him, but regardless, picking #1 overall and taking LeBron who is a once in a generation player isn't exactly rocket science.

Chris Mullen has done a great, outstanding job with the Warriors.

not a good track record. that's two players (Dumars and Mullen) in like 10. so there's a 20% chance a former player will be a beneficial hire for a team. you can have the same odds picking anyone who's in a multi-player text sim sports league.

[miami_fan]

Are we talking about former players or former star players? Kevin Pritchard is a former player who has done an outstanding job in Portland. Otis Smith has done a nice job in Orlando. For all the shit I have given Mitch Kupchak over the years, he may have pulled off a trade that garners his team a title this year (over a non player I might add) and drafted the next great big man in the league despite being roundly critcized for it. Bryan has it right. Being a former player does not automatically make you a bad GM.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

it

Chris Mullen has done a great, outstanding job with the Warriors.

Did you see some of the contracts he handed out? 40m to Adonal Foyle? Troy Murphy 6/60ish? Dunleavy Jr 6/50ish? He just got lucky he found teams that were manned by dumber GM's than him to take those guys.

[Anthony]

biggest upset in NBA history and a team that no real contender wants to face in the playoffs, not a bad resume.


and i'm talking star players don't equal good GMs. pretty much every GM has been a player (either NBA or in college). you can't major in General Managing, being a player at some point in your life is what gets you through the door. for all their oncourt success, 80% of former players do not make good GMs.

funny how Murphy and Dunleavy went to one of the aforementioned former NBA star GMs. lol

[stevew]

I bet you could make a flow chart of stupid former player GM's. Ainge was awful, but he got lucky that McHale was dumber than him. Then you have Mullen shitting all over Bird. And Paxson(+everyone else) shitting all over isiah.

[Chief Rum]

Back to the games...anyone watching the Lakers-Mavs game today, there were a lot of "man, he reminds me of Michael" Kobe moments today.

[Neon_Chaos]

KO-BE!

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Back to the games...anyone watching the Lakers-Mavs game today, there were a lot of "man, he reminds me of Michael" Kobe moments today.

Dare I say that yesterday was a "signature moment" in his MVP season? Kobe really was amazing in the 4th and OT.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Dare I say that yesterday was a "signature moment" in his MVP season?

You're talking about this play, right?

[miami_fan]

Only if Deng could have gotten himself in better position. Lebron would have done to him what Vince Carter did to Weis in the Olympics.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by stevew

You're talking about this play, right?

In my day they called that "traveling" but I suppose "signature moment" is as good as any.

[Brian Swartz]

The rule is two and a half steps, exactly what LeBron took, is allowed.

I give the MVP so far to James by a nose over Kobe.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

The rule is two and a half steps, exactly what LeBron took, is allowed.

I give the MVP so far to James by a nose over Kobe.

I don't see where 2.5 steps is defined as legal.

[Fidatelo]

Plus it looks more like 3 to me anyways.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

The rule is two and a half steps, exactly what LeBron took, is allowed.

I give the MVP so far to James by a nose over Kobe.

Not to take away from Kobe's great season, but if he gets the MVP its based mostly on the players around him improving and the addition of Gasol.

I would say Lebron by a landslide at this point.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Not to take away from Kobe's great season, but if he gets the MVP its based mostly on the players around him improving and the addition of Gasol.

I would say Lebron by a landslide at this point.

Kobe's weakness in his game was that he couldn't make people better and now that they have improved their game, he doesn't get any credit for it? What more can the guy do?

It'll be an NBA travesty if Lebron ends up with an MVP before Kobe. Once Lebron wins his first one, he probably won't lose another one for a while

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

I don't see where 2.5 steps is defined as legal.

FWIW, the NBA rules on traveling say nothing about how many steps you can or can not take.

http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_10...av=ArticleList

Section XIV-Traveling
a. A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.
b. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may use a two-count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

FWIW, the NBA rules on traveling say nothing about how many steps you can or can not take.

http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_10...av=ArticleList

the "two count rhythm" is further defined in that rule. not that I made much attempt to make sense of it.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Kobe's weakness in his game was that he couldn't make people better and now that they have improved their game, he doesn't get any credit for it? What more can the guy do?

It'll be an NBA travesty if Lebron ends up with an MVP before Kobe. Once Lebron wins his first one, he probably won't lose another one for a while

A travesty?

LeBron averages over 2 ppg more - 30.3 to 28.2

LeBron averages 2 rebounds more per game - 8.1 to 6.1.

LeBron averages 2 assists more per game - 7.5 to 5.4.

LeBron shoots 2 percentage points higher - 48.6% to 46.6%.

LeBron assist to turnover ratio is better - 2.2 to 1.6.

LeBron steals it just as much - 2 per game.

LeBron blocks more shots 1 per game to 0.6.

Most would agree that LeBron doesn't have the talent around him that the Lakers do, particularly post trade. The only travesty would be if LeBron doesn't win this MVP award. He clearly deserves it.

[ThunderingHERD]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

FWIW, the NBA rules on traveling say nothing about how many steps you can or can not take.

http://www.nba.com/analysis/rules_10...av=ArticleList

A foot on the floor increments the "count." So if he picks up the ball with a foot on the floor, that's one. The next foot to hit the floor is two.

Whether Lebron travels or not on that play comes down to where you say he picked up the dribble.

[rjolley]

That didn't look like a travel to me. Lebron crosses over at the top of the key, takes one hard dribble, takes two steps, then is up and floating to the rim. Perfectly leagal. I think where someone may think it's travelling is that he takes a step as the ball hits and comes up. That's not usually considered in the 2 steps to the basket.

It was a great move and was legal.

[rjolley]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

A foot on the floor increments the "count." So if he picks up the ball with a foot on the floor, that's one. The next foot to hit the floor is two.

I'd have to disagree with that. Can't ever remember seeing it called that way. Maybe it's in the interpretation by the refs, but the way I've always noticed it called is the first step after the dribble is picked up is one. At least that's the way my coaches have taught it.

[ThunderingHERD]

Originally Posted by rjolley

I'd have to disagree with that. Can't ever remember seeing it called that way. Maybe it's in the interpretation by the refs, but the way I've always noticed it called is the first step after the dribble is picked up is one. At least that's the way my coaches have taught it.

I think it's largely a matter of when you consider the dribble to be picked up. Here is the wording from the NBA:

Section XIV-Traveling
a. A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.
b. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may use a two-count rhythm in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball.
The first count occurs:
(1) As he receives the ball, if either foot is touching the floor at the time he receives it.
(2) As the foot touches the floor, or as both feet touch the floor simultane- ously after he receives the ball, if both feet are off the floor when he receives it.
The second occurs:
(1) After the count of one when either foot touches the floor, or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.

[rjolley]

Yeah, I think we're saying the same thing. As he recieves the ball from the floor, his next step would be the first count.

Either way, that move still wasn't travelling.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Kobe's weakness in his game was that he couldn't make people better and now that they have improved their game, he doesn't get any credit for it? What more can the guy do?

Yeah, but who got better? Odom isn't playing any better (more rebounds, FG%, fewer points by 2+, fewer assists, and his a/to is as bad as it's been in LA). Fisher is a carbon copy of his two years in Golden State - same with Radman on his last season in Seattle/LAC. Luke Walton is significantly worse by the #s. Vujacic, Farmar and Bynum are the only ones better - and Bynum's been hurt most of the year. Plus, Sasha and Jordan are just getting more minutes.

The difference for LA has been having a post presence for the first time since Shaq with Bynum. Then, when he went down, they traded their 8th or 9th player for Pau Gasol essentially straight up. You take the 8th or 9th best player on any West contender and swap that guy with Gasol and you have the heavy favorite.

It'll be an NBA travesty if Lebron ends up with an MVP before Kobe. Once Lebron wins his first one, he probably won't lose another one for a while

The Lakers are the most talented team in the West right now - and they are playing well. The Cavs were so lacking in talent that they essentially reshuffled 4 of their top 7 guys at the deadline. Here's the telling stats:

1. The Cavs are 0-6 in games without Lebron.
2. Not counting those 6, Cavs are 6-8 in games where Lebron scores less than 25 points.
3. LA is 20-4 in games where Kobe scores less than 25 points

With 1-3 taken into account, as well as the level of talent on both teams, LA is 42-18 in games where Kobe plays (70% w). Cleveland is 34-20 in games where Lebron plays (63% w). When you look at players 2-8 on Cleveland, there's no way they should even be in the same stratosphere as LA - yet they are with Lebron.

[stevew]

Larry Hughes with some comments that solidify the fact that he's a giant dripping turd....

“I play to enjoy myself, some people take this the wrong way, but winning a championship is not what I base everything on. I was given an opportunity to play basketball, travel around and have fun doing it and that’s what I want to do. I wouldn’t take being unhappy and not being myself and winning.
I would rather enjoy myself with 18,000-20,000 people watching the game and the people sending fan mail and those things and be happy…I didn’t come here to play the point guard, that’s just it. I came here to run the wing, just like he was running the other wing. I was asked to sacrifice for the team to win and for everybody, I guess, get paid. That is what was told to me and I wasn’t happy with that.”

[Neon_Chaos]

I think that this is Kobe's year. As great as he and Lebron have played this season, this is Kobe's year. He is the best player on the best team in the NBA. I thought the day would never come, but it's here, right now. I would have thrown my hat in with Garnett, but he's missed enough games to not count.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

I think that this is Kobe's year. As great as he and Lebron have played this season, this is Kobe's year. He is the best player on the best team in the NBA. I thought the day would never come, but it's here, right now. I would have thrown my hat in with Garnett, but he's missed enough games to not count.

Couldn't have said it better myself. You can compare the stats all you want but when you watch Kobe, you can tell he's playing better then he ever has. The crazy offseason obviously sparked a change in Kobe for the better and the Laker fans can sit back and enjoy the ride.

[Brian Swartz]

this is Kobe's year. He is the best player on the best team in the NBA.

First of all, that's a poor criteria for selecting an MVP. Call it MHP if you want(Most Hyped Player), but if you want to find out who the most valuable player is, or if you want to find out who the best player is, whether or not they happen to play on a great team isn't the issue. And while we're on the subject, how do we know the Lakers are the best team? We should put in a call to Stern so he can cancel the playoffs if we can know that information well before they even start.

Kobe clearly is a better defensive player, but in most other areas LeBron is better, with an inferior supporting cast.

Adjusted for pace and a 36-minute standard:

Points: LeBron 27.34, Kobe 25.47
Assists: LeBron 6.79, Kobe 4.86
Rebounds: LeBron 7.29, Kobe 5.48
Blocks: LeBron 0.90, Kobe 0.50
Steals: LeBron 1.77, Kobe 1.76
eFG%: LeBron 56.51%, Kobe 57.94%

Bryant is a little more efficient as a scorer, but the total package? That's James.

You can compare the stats all you want but when you watch Kobe, you can tell he's playing better then he ever has.

Except that's not the issue. It isn't whether Kobe is playing better than he ever has, it's whether he's playing better than anyone else is this year.

[MrBug708]

But Kobe is essentially the same player doing the same thing when his supporting cast was weaker then Lebron's supporting cast was in a much harder division and yet he received crap about not being able to win enough without Shaq. Now he's winning without Shaq but he isn't the MVP because his team is too good??? What would he do to need to win an MVP? Go 73-9? Lebron gets assists because he's the point forward. Kobe's a SG. Lebron gets rebounds because he's a forward. The fact that Kobe is that close to Lebron in boards should actually be a benefit to Kobe. I mean, Andrew Bynum has some better stats then Lebron does, but no one actually thinks Bynum deserves the award right?

[stevew]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

But Kobe is essentially the same player doing the same thing when his supporting cast was weaker then Lebron's supporting cast was in a much harder division.

kobe's supporting cast was miles ahead of lebrons, even pre-gasol.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by stevew

kobe's supporting cast was miles ahead of lebrons, even pre-gasol.

Smush Parker? Waste in Miami.
Kwame Brown? Can't even get off the bench in Memphis now
Luke Walton? Good passer, intelligent player, sucks at most else
Brian Cook? Check out Orlando right now
Lamar Odom? Serviceable, but highly inconsistent.

Don't think there was a worse starting lineup last year in basketball. The fact that they made the playoffs was a miracle

[Arles]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

But Kobe is essentially the same player doing the same thing when his supporting cast was weaker then Lebron's supporting cast was in a much harder division.

I'm not following. I hope you aren't in a round-about way saying that Hughes+Gooden+Z+Gibson+Damon Jones are on the same level as Bynum/Gasol+Odom+Fisher+Radman+Walton+Farmar.

Again, the best combination of Kobe to Lebron in talent was probably the 10 games when Bynum was out and Gasol wasn't there. In those games, Kobe had Odom, Fisher, Brown, Walton, Radman and Farmar as his support cast. That's fairly comparable to Gooden, Hughes, Z, Gibson, Jones and Devin brown. In those 10 games, LA went 5-5.

[Brian Swartz]

Smush Parker? Waste in Miami.
Kwame Brown? Can't even get off the bench in Memphis now
Luke Walton? Good passer, intelligent player, sucks at most else
Brian Cook? Check out Orlando right now
Lamar Odom? Serviceable, but highly inconsistent.

Odom is a heck of a lot better than serviceable, and far better than anybody LeBron has ever had. During his two playoffs in LA, he's shot 48.9% from the field, 19.25 ppg, 11.8 rpg, and 3.75 apg. Give me a team of such 'serviceable' players and you'll soon be hanging banners.

The worst starting lineup? A little below average supporting cast, but hardly the worst. Probably a good dozen that were worse.

Now he's winning without Shaq but he isn't the MVP because his team is too good??? What would he do to need to win an MVP? Go 73-9?

No, he'd need to have greater value than LeBron. This isn't about last year or the year before. It's about this year.

Lebron gets assists because he's the point forward. Kobe's a SG. Lebron gets rebounds because he's a forward. The fact that Kobe is that close to Lebron in boards should actually be a benefit to Kobe. I mean, Andrew Bynum has some better stats then Lebron does, but no one actually thinks Bynum deserves the award right?

Oh my. Bynum and LeBron's stats don't even begin to compare. Besides that, Kobe and LeBron both dominate the ball. And if you think 25% less rebounds means Kobe is 'close', then we have different definitions of what close is.

As for what Kobe would need to do to be MVP -- with a far superior supporting cast he should be at least equal to LeBron in assists. If he were slightly ahead in that, I'd probably give him the nod. Given that James has 40% more with less capable targets to pass to(even pre-Gasol), I really don't think it's much of an argument.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Arles

I'm not following. I hope you aren't in a round-about way saying that Hughes+Gooden+Z+Gibson+Damon Jones are on the same level as Bynum/Gasol+Odom+Fisher+Radman+Walton+Farmar.

Again, the best combination of Kobe to Lebron in talent was probably the 10 games when Bynum was out and Gasol wasn't there. In those games, Kobe had Odom, Fisher, Brown, Walton, Radman and Farmar as his support cast. That's fairly comparable to Gooden, Hughes, Z, Gibson, Jones and Devin brown. In those 10 games, LA went 5-5.

I wasn't talking about this year, I was talking about years past

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Odom is a heck of a lot better than serviceable, and far better than anybody LeBron has ever had. During his two playoffs in LA, he's shot 48.9% from the field, 19.25 ppg, 11.8 rpg, and 3.75 apg. Give me a team of such 'serviceable' players and you'll soon be hanging banners.

Yup, in the first round of the playoffs, especially two years ago, he has played well.

[quote[The worst starting lineup? A little below average supporting cast, but hardly the worst. Probably a good dozen that were worse. [/quote]

Maybe I should have just done 1-10 or so

Oh my. Bynum and LeBron's stats don't even begin to compare. Besides that, Kobe and LeBron both dominate the ball. And if you think 25% less rebounds means Kobe is 'close', then we have different definitions of what close is.

Why not? If you are just using stats alone, Bynum shoots at a much higher percentage, has more blocks, has more rebounds et al...

And yes 25%, considering they play different positions, is close enough. Why would any team want their starting SG crashing the boards? He's third in all guards in rebounding per game. That's why it's close enough. Jason Kidd is first, and Mike Miller is second.

As for what Kobe would need to do to be MVP -- with a far superior supporting cast he should be at least equal to LeBron in assists. If he were slightly ahead in that, I'd probably give him the nod. Given that James has 40% more with less capable targets to pass to(even pre-Gasol), I really don't think it's much of an argument.

Again, assists are a nice stat, but do you honestly think if he averaged a few more assists he suddenly becomes better then Lebron? If that's all he needed to do to win the MVP, I think he's done more then enough

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

First of all, that's a poor criteria for selecting an MVP.

Are you kidding me?

MVPs since 1980-81:

Year / Name / Team / Team Record (* denotes best record for that year, ^ denotes best record in conference, ~ denotes best record in division)

2006-07 - Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas, 67-15*
2005-06 - Steve Nash, Phoenix, 54-28~
2004-05 - Steve Nash, Phoenix, 62-20*
2003-04 - Kevin Garnett, Minnesota, 58-24^
2002-03 - Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 60-22 *tied with Dallas
2001-02 - Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 58-24~
2000-01 - Allen Iverson, Philadelphia, 56-26^
1999-00 - Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers, 67-15*
1998-99 - Karl Malone, Utah, 37-13 *tied with Spurs
1997-98 - Michael Jordan, Chicago, 62-20 *tied with Jazz
1996-97 - Karl Malone, Utah, 64-18^
1995-96 - Michael Jordan, Chicago, 72-10*
1994-95 - David Robinson, San Antonio, 62-20*
1993-94 - Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston, 58-24*
1992-93 - Charles Barkley, Phoenix, 62-20*
1991-92 - Michael Jordan, Chicago, 67-15*
1990-91 - Michael Jordan, Chicago, 61-21^
1989-90 - Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers, 63-19*
1988-89 - Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers, 57-25^
1987-88 - Michael Jordan, Chicago - 50-32
1986-87 - Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers - 65-17*
1985-86 - Larry Bird, Boston, 67-15*
1984-85 - Larry Bird, Boston, 63-19*
1983-84 - Larry Bird, Boston, 62-20*
1982-83 - Moses Malone, Philadelphia, 65-17*
1981-82 - Moses Malone, Houston, 46-36
1980-81 - Julius Erving, Philadelphia, 62-20 *tied with Celtics

For the past 27 seasons, it has, more often than not, been the best player on the best team.

Since the 1980-81 season, the only two players to have won the MVP without their team sitting on top of their division, their conference, or the league, were Moses Malone in 81-82, and Michael Jordan in 87-88.

18 times, since 1980-81, the MVP was the best player on the best team in the league.

5 times, since 1980-81, the MVP was the best player on the best team in their conference.

2 times, since 1980-81, the MVP was the best player on the best team in their division.

[MrBug708]

Hard to believe Shaq only won it once in his career

[Brian Swartz]

the past 27 seasons, it has, more often than not, been the best player on the best team.

Since the 1980-81 season, the only two players to have won the MVP without their team sitting on top of their division, their conference, or the league, were Moses Malone in 81-82, and Michael Jordan in 87-88.

I was arguing for who it should be, not who it will be. By that criteria, let's give it to KG and forget about Kobe and LeBron.

Why not? If you are just using stats alone, Bynum shoots at a much higher percentage, has more blocks, has more rebounds et al...

And yes 25%, considering they play different positions, is close enough. Why would any team want their starting SG crashing the boards? He's third in all guards in rebounding per game. That's why it's close enough. Jason Kidd is first, and Mike Miller is second.

Bynum is not the focal point of the team though. He doesn't shoot that much, he doesn't have anything in the way of assists, etc. Obviously I wouldn't consider a player for MVP who isn't even the best player on his own team.

On the rebounding, they both spend a lot of time on the perimeter offensively. Defensively James as a SF often guards perimeter players as well. There isn't nearly that much of a gap between their opportunities.

assists are a nice stat, but do you honestly think if he averaged a few more assists he suddenly becomes better then Lebron? If that's all he needed to do to win the MVP, I think he's done more then enough

That's putting the cart before the horse. I think if he were better than LeBron, he would be averaging more assists. Since scoring-wise they are basically a wash and he has better players to pass to, setting his teammates up for scoring opportunities seems a particularly relevant area to look at to differentiate the players. It's the one where there is the biggest gap. I think that's indicative.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Hard to believe Shaq only won it once in his career

Especially when a guy like Steve Trash won it twice.

[Anthony]

i don't care what anyone says, to me KG is the true MVP. what he's done with the Celtics is nothing short of amazing. sure, he's been out a lot, but he TRANSFORMED an entire franchise. that's an MVP.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

I was arguing for who it should be, not who it will be. By that criteria, let's give it to KG and forget about Kobe and LeBron.

Like I said earlier, if Garnett didn't miss those 9 games, he would be the runaway winner.

The Spurs and Pistons suffer from the fact that they are too much of a well-oiled machine whose best players aren't shining the most to garner Billups or Duncan the MVP trophy this year.

Which is why Kobe should be the MVP. Not LeBron James and his mediocre Cavs.

[Sublime 2]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

Like I said earlier, if Garnett didn't miss those 9 games, he would be the runaway winner.

The Spurs and Pistons suffer from the fact that they are too much of a well-oiled machine whose best players aren't shining the most to garner Billups or Duncan the MVP trophy this year.

Which is why Kobe should be the MVP. Not LeBron James and his mediocre Cavs.

I realize your advocating Kobe as MVP, but James has missed 6 (I believe) games himself, is there that big of difference between that and the 9 that KG has missed?

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Sublime 2

I realize your advocating Kobe as MVP, but James has missed 6 (I believe) games himself, is there that big of difference between that and the 9 that KG has missed?

And Kobe is playing with a torn finger on his shooting hand.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Sublime 2

I realize your advocating Kobe as MVP, but James has missed 6 (I believe) games himself, is there that big of difference between that and the 9 that KG has missed?

Miss 3 more, and he's out of the running?

[Brian Swartz]

Nine games. 11% of the season. That just doesn't make sense to me.

Moreover, the Cavs as Arles pointed out have won 63% of their games(34-20) when James plays. That's a pace that would put them four games behind the Lakers. Fundamentally, I just disagree with the idea of basing the MVP on how good the team is.

[rkmsuf]

Without Al Jefferson the T-Wolves probably only win like 3 games.

Al Jefferson for MVP!

[Butter]

Plus, Kobe leads the league in dodged rape charges. I mean, that's gotta count for something.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Nine games. 11% of the season. That just doesn't make sense to me.

Moreover, the Cavs as Arles pointed out have won 63% of their games(34-20) when James plays. That's a pace that would put them four games behind the Lakers. Fundamentally, I just disagree with the idea of basing the MVP on how good the team is.

Well, that's the way it works, more often than not. Best player on the best team.

Oh, and the Cavs are 34-26. They are on pace for a 46-win season. The Lakers are on pace for a 57-win season. That's huge margin.