Kobe Bryant's MVP Chances Look Slim

As big as a Laker fan I am, I can see the writing on the wall that Kobe Bryant is the dark horse for this season's Most Valuable Player award.

The clear-cut favorite is NBA darling LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. I say so because LeBron's resume this season fits the MVP voters' requirements:

1. Team success - LeBron has led the Cavs to the best record in the league so far;
2. Individual stats - LeBron is averaging 28 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. This is probably one of the best stat lines since Oscar Robertson's triple double average in the early 1960's;
3. X-Factor - I think a lot of voters think LeBron's time has arrived. A lot of folks primarily attribute the Cavs' success to LeBron's play and leadership.

Kobe, on the other hand, is in the MVP discussion, but not so high on many llists. Because...

1. Team success - Kobe has led the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2nd best record in the league so far;
2. Individual stats - Kobe is averaging 27 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, which is superb by NBA standards.  But for MVP considerations, it's weak compared to LeBron's stat line;
3. X-Factor - A lot of people argue that Kobe has a stronger supporting cast (Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum) compared to LeBron's posse (Mo Williams, Anderson Varejao, Zydrunas Ilaguskas), thus his contribution to the Lakers success is diminished. Also, I get the impression that if you take away Kobe and LeBron from their respective teams, the Cavs will be crippled severely.

So there, I have several reasons to believe that Kobe has a long shot to get this season's MVP award. And I think it's a shame because the Lakers have had the best team success this season since the dynasty years.

Technorati: Kobe Bryant

Pau Gasol Kia Western Conference Player of the Month Video

Here's another video I found: Pau Gasol's awarding of the Kia Western Conference Player of the Month for February.


Technorati: Los Angeles Lakers

With MVP, Kobe Bryant is One of NBA Greats

After twelve seasons in the league, Kobe Bryant has officially achieved the highest individual award-- the 2007-2008 Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

The MVP has long eluded Kobe, with a lot of people believing he deserved the awards for the last three years, including MVP candidate LeBron James. Kobe most often failed in the "makes his team better" criteria, something Steve Nash supposedly excelled and something Dirk Nowitzki did last year in Dallas. This year, Kobe has led the Lakers core of Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and Luke Walton on top of the Western Conference and deep into the NBA Playoffs.

In winning the MVP, Kobe joins the elite group of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and former teammate Shaquille O'Neal as Los Angeles Lakers who have won the award. (Kareem and Magic won multiple times). You can also add Kobe to the list of players who have won at least three championship rings and an MVP award. That group includes Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Bill Russell and the Spurs' Tim Duncan. The MVP of a dozen years in the making is also proof of the longevity of Bryant's talent and skill.

No doubt, any discussion on NBA greats should definitely include Kobe Bryant, one of the NBA's All-Time Greats.


Tags: Lakers

Kobe Bryant to Win the the NBA's 2008 MVP Award

Finally, the MVP voting body has corrected the error of its ways.

The NBA will present Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant with his first regular season Most Valuable Player award, according to reports. I've been advocating his selection since the start of the year and I've also said my piece regarding why he IS the NBA's MVP this season. As a Lakers fan, I'm happy the league has really recognized Kobe's impact in the game (and that could even include the "makes his team mates better" criterion).

Kobe is set to join Laker greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'neal as players who have won the award that cements the reputation of a player as an all-time great.

What's next for Kobe Bryant? The Finals MVP Award.


Tags: Lakers

Lakers lose and the Warriors are feeling giddy

With every mounting Laker loss, the Golden State Warriors are seeing their NBA Playoffs becoming a reality. The loss the Lakers had against the Suns and the Warriors victory over the Sacramento Kings have narrowed the gaps between the 7th to 9th ranked Western Conference teams.

Kobe mightily struggled against "Clothesline" Raja Bell (one of the players I absolutely hate). Kobe's output of 17 points was 14 below his average. Luke Walton picked up the slack (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) but a pair of double-doubles by Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion was too much to handle. (It didn't help that reigning MVP Steve Nash had 26 points and 14 dimes.)

Speaking of Luke Walton, why isn't he mentioned in the Most Improved Player discussions? He raised his game over all. He is averaging roughly 12-5-4 from a meager 5-3-2. His mastery of the Triangle's intricacies have proven crucial, especially when he went down with an injury midseason, where the Lakers struggled.

Oh well, Kevin Martin of the Sacto Kings seems to be taking it home in a few weeks.

No MVP for Kobe this Season

If we are going to listen to the NBA pundits, it's basically a two-man race for the MVP: Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.

Kobe Bryant is considered a long shot third on MVP talks. Which is really unfortunate, really, because Kobe has been the NBA's most lethal scorer and arguably the best non-center in the last 3-4 seasons. I liken this situation to Rick Barry's predicament in the 70's where mediocre team play and a tainted reputation basically shut him off from MVP consideration numerous times.

While Kobe may downplay the MVP awards talk, given his explicit competitiveness, this is probably eating him a bit.

Side note: Luke Walton is not dating Britney Spears!