Who is the NBA's Most Valuable Player?

My choice for the NBA MVP (The Top 4):

4. Kevin Garnett: I understand the Bill Simmons argument for Garnett's MVP candidacy. KG changed the culture in Boston and made every guy play better and with more respect for the game, his teammates, and his team. He helped Paul Pierce play to his capabilities and helped develop Rajon Rondo et al into great young players. He has been a leader in every sense of the word. On the court, he was good (especially on the defensive end), but he simply did not play to the level of LeBron, Kobe, or Chris Paul - or even Paul Pierce - and he missed 10 games due to injury. I admire everything Garnett accomplished this season, especially off the court, and I greatly admire the man; the New Celtics would not be the New Celtics without him. But the Lakers would not be the Lakers without Kobe, the Cavs would not be the Cavs without LeBron, and the Hornets would not be the Hornets without Paul. Garnett saved Boston's season, but Paul saved New Orleans' team. Garnett fits comfortably here at 4.

3. LeBron James: LeBron had the best season of his career this year, averaging 30 points a game and over seven rebounds and assists. He played hard the entire year (some might say he took off the beginning of last season) and carried a hapless Cavs team to 45 wins. A year after he took his game/legend to the next level in the Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron proved once again why his potential is unlimited. In any other year, he or anyone else on this list could be the MVP. You can't say that LeBron is not deserving of the honor - there were just two other guys who deserve it more.

2. Kobe Bryant: Kobe is the best player in the game and the Lakers were the best team in the West. And once the Lakers got Gasol, Kobe became the best teammate he has ever been. He played a less selfish game than we're used to seeing from him and set up his teammates' shots as much as he took his own - the only reason his assist totals aren't higher is because he gave the ball up earlier in possessions. Kobe played inspired ball and showed us a different side of his game. Sounds like an MVP, right? Wrong. Kobe spent the entire off-season turning the Los Angeles Lakers into the Kobe Bryant Soap Opera. He demanded trades, criticized teammates, bashed the organization, and kept the entire basketball world on the edge of its seat. He played the first part of the season with a perpetual grimace on his face. While LeBron, Garnett, and Paul drove their teams all season, Kobe did so only when it became clear that the Lakers could win. Until then, he seemed content to play the same, selfish, bored Kobeball that we have all come to know and hate. I give Kobe immense credit for turning into a team player this year but let's not forget that it only came after he put on one of the most selfish shows the sport has ever seen.

1. Chris Paul: Chris Paul is my MVP. There's really no question. He put together arguably the best season ever by a point guard (21.1 - 11.6) and transformed the Hornets from a 39-43 disaster a year ago into the 56-26 Southwest Division champion. For all the talk of Garnett changing a team's culture,   Paul has single-handedly turned the Hornets into a close-knit group of guys and a true contender. I'm not saying the Hornets are a one man team (David West and Tyson Chandler would probably have something to say about that), but no player on that team would be anywhere near as good without Paul's leadership and example. Paul is one of the three best players in the league this season and with Garnett is probably the league's best leader. Those two things alone would qualify him for the MVP. But there's also that little part about him saving basketball in New Orleans. Yeah, that.

The Hornets were expected to return to the Big Easy this year, stink it up, and then move on to another city. Instead, the Hornets became one of the best teams in the West and Chris Paul became the face of not only the team, not only the NBA, but also the city of New Orleans. If you asked anyone in 2006 who the face of New Orleans sports would be, they would have said Reggie Bush. But while Bush has struggled thus far in the NFL, Paul's saving the Hornets has been a fitting symbol for a city trying to save itself. Simply put, Paul has transcended basketball. For his astonishing play, his incredible leadership, and the role he has played off the court, Chris Paul should be the NBA's most valuable player.

Comments

[SG]

No matter what I think that the MVP is defined as what player did the most for their team to make it better. Based upon this who can say that Stephon Starbury is not that man. He fought with the coach and their combined actions were the main reason ownership realized that there must be change. Hopefully Thomas will be fired in the next day or so, and the Knicks can start the rise back up the NBA ladder. So my choice would be Stephon for all he has done for a team, especially by not playing.

[Jerome]

Basically, these are 4 good candidates (though actually I think I'd put Lebron in fourth) but I think it is hard to argue against KG. He fits Paul's argument but even more so--took an even worse team, and amassed an even better record (albeit in a much weaker conference.)

I think if you take MVP literally, you have to say, how much worse would this team be without X, and no doubt that is the Celtics, who will probably get to the finals this year.

[Dave G]

Jerome, it's hard to disagree with you. Garnett is the centerpiece, catalyst, and captain of a team that I believe will win the title. He has meant everything to Boston and I see your argument about him being Paul but better. But the truth is that he isn't better. LeBron, Kobe, and Paul played at a level far beyond any other players in the NBA this season. And of those three, I'd go with Paul because he does add the off-the-court aspect to his bball play. Garnett's game just wasn't in the top three this year.