For a good portion of the last half decade, I have read experts saying this player deserved the MVP award because he makes his team better.
What utter crap.
The people voting for the MVP award are maintaining a double standard when it comes to that argument.
Case in point: in 2001-2002 season, Jason Kidd was traded to the lifeless New Jersey Nets franchise. In the season before, the Nets only managed to win 26 games and with Kidd on board, the Nets doubled the win total to 52. Kidd averaged a sterling 14.7 points, 9.9 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals. Can we say Kidd was the difference for the Nets in those two seasons? Absolutely. It's interesting to not that the core team of the New Jersey Nets outside of Kidd did not change in those two seasons. So can we draw the conclusion that Kidd made his team better? With all probability, yes.
Conventional wisdom would tell us that Jason Kidd, with all his "make his team better" achievement in that season, should win MVP. Did he win?
To this day, Kidd has not won an MVP award.
So much for making your team better.
Tags: Lakers
LinkWithin
Not every great player can win an MVP award, but I agree Kobe is top 2 this season.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing-- it's rare for a great player to be remembered without an MVP award for recognition of his talent/skills. Dominique Wilkins would come to mind.
ReplyDelete