But despite all of these great happenings, the main thing getting media attention these days is who will be M.V.P. when the dust settles on this historic season. There are four names in serious contention: Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, Lebron James, and my pick, Kobe Bryant.
I know, I know, everyone and their mother has an opinion on who should win the award. It’s been established that there is no set criteria for winning. Yes it’s a popularity contest. Yes, I know that Lebron James has Oscar Robertson numbers and Kevin Garnett has made the Celtics relevant again, and Chris Paul is playing the PG position better than anyone ever has (thank you Bill Simmons).
I have been a lifelong Lakers fan, so one would assume that I’m a little biased but hear me out. During last summer’s off-season when Kobe was demanding to be traded, I had had enough. I was tired of his spoiled outbursts, the drama, the negative attitude, and most of all, I was tired of getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs. I distinctly remember saying to myself, “Maybe we’d be better off without Kobe.” Now, how many of the aforementioned candidates were you saying that about before the season started? None!
The Lakers went into the ’08 season destined to bomb. Everyone was writing them off, including myself. I was ready for a trade which netted a few young prospects and draft picks, and I braced myself for years of rebuilding. Instead, Kobe has saved not only himself and his reputation, but the Lakers franchise.
It’s been stated before Kobe is doing all the things that have been asked of him over the years. Basically, playing within the system, being a great teammate and leader, taking over games when he needs to, and playing the defense he’s capable of. He’s averaging 28.6ppg, 5.4apg, 6.4rpg, and nearly two steals a game. Those are Jordanesque numbers. But the reason he is my M.V.P. doesn’t revolve around the stats, as spectacular as they maybe be.
Bryant has imposed his will on the Lakers basketball team. Amidst all the early drama, Kobe quietly went to work. People argue that Kobe is getting tons of help, and that is true. If you told me Ronny Turiaf, Sasha Vujacic, Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmer would be key contributors this late in the season, I would have told you there was a better chance of getting Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown and pair of sneakers…wait, nevermind. But if you think that these players haven’t benefited from Kobe’s relentless expectations, skills, and swagger you’re insane.
Kobe attracts so much attention on the court, he makes the game easier for those around him. Kobe’s influence also let’s the rest of the Lakers’ play with more freedom, because they know if they hit a dry spot, they have a go to guy who can get it done.
Yes Kobe got lucky with the development of the Lakers bench, Bynum’s development, and the Pau Gasol trade, but he has incorporated all of them seamlessly. Plus Bynum and Gasol haven’t even played for the majority of the season, and the Lakers are still in contention for the number one seed in the west (Did I mention Ronny Turiaf is their starting center?). If I throw in he’s been playing hurt, will it be too much?
All of these things are valid reasons for Kobe’s M.V.P. candidacy, but I’ve already mentioned why he gets my vote. Out of all the players who are in contention and out of all the teams they play for, did you honestly believe Kobe and the Lakers would be in this position before the season started? We knew KG would make the Celtics better, we knew Chris Paul was the best player on his team, and we've been waiting for Lebron to average a triple double since he was in high school. Kobe hasn’t only proved everyone wrong, he’s rekindled the faith that he could become the player everyone wanted him to be while making the Lakers serious championship contenders.That’s why K.O.B.E. is the M.V.P.
