The NBA MVP award will be given to either LeBron James or Derrick Rose. While Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, and, yes, Dwyane Wade each have legitimate claims of their own, the media votes are the ones that count, an issue alluded to by Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy. This means that the award is similar to a beauty contest. Objectivity is pushed into the corner. While every candidate is attractive, a gesture as simple as a gravity-defying, one-handed, alley-hoop dunk during a January contest against a lower-level team can be the defining highlight that is too hard to ignore come ballot time.
The criteria used to determine which player is, in fact, the most valuable is almost as subjective as whether you prefer blonde or brunette.
Is he the BEST player in the league? Does that question answer who is the most VALUABLE? Of course, it depends on whom you ask. If the award goes to the best player, then a player like Michael Jordan should have as many MVP trophies as he has years spent in the league. The best player doesn’t always take the cake.
Is the player with the most impressive stats the most valuable player in the league? That cannot be the case. Every team plays the same amount of minutes as the rest of the league. Stats will accumulate for even the most mediocre of players.
Best player on best team? This is not the Heisman Trophy. This NBA award is an individual one, at least in comparison to college football’s version.
WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST WE DO? FLIP A COIN?
The only question that must be answered is: Which player has played the biggest role in his team’s success, where success means having a legitimate shot to win the NBA Finals? This can also mean: Which contending team, when removing its best player, suffers the most?
Sure, some of the previous questions can be correctly answered by applying this simple equation, but they can also lead voters on the wrong path.
The best player in the NBA? LeBron, Durant, Wade, and Howard come to mind. Kobe should be there somewhere, too. Rose is in the discussion.
The player with the most impressive numbers? LeBron, Howard, Rose, Blake Griffin, Monta Ellis, Kevin Love, and Zach Randolph have put up impressive lines all season.
There is something to be desired with these lists, at least with regard to the MOST VALUABLE PLAYER in the league.
Let’s ask the question again: Which player, on a championship contending team, plays the biggest role in his team’s success?
There are eight teams that have a real shot to win it all: San Antonio, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Oklahoma City out west and Chicago, Boston, Miami, and Orlando in the east.
We can eliminate players from the west. Each of those teams can lose their best player and still compete at a high-level. The Lakers sport two towers in the middle, Dallas is as deep as anyone, San Antonio relies on its system almost as much as its facilitators, and Oklahoma City has Russell Westbrook, a budding star in his own right.
We can eliminate Boston and Miami, both of whom combined to represent seven of the East All-Star’s twelve participants this year. Also, Wade and Chris Bosh, along with key complimentary pieces, and under the sole leadership of Wade, would be a title-contender even without LeBron. The same can also be said about LeBron and Bosh, sans Wade.
This leaves us with Orlando and Chicago. Howard vs. Rose. Big vs. small. Size vs. speed. Point guard vs. center. The great debate. Howard may be a more coveted commodity, but Rose has his team atop the standings.
At this point, other than flipping a coin, one should not be convinced either way. It is safe to say that both teams lack the firepower around their shining star to compete any more effectively than Milwaukee or Phoenix.
This is not a bad thing. Hugely subjective? Absolutely. But who cares? This is an individual award. The fact that there is any debate about who deserves the award is an example of how intriguing this league is. The game is better for it. Publicity is good.
SO WHO IS, IN YOUR OPINION, THE NBA MVP?
Can I vote for co-MVPs? If so, I vote for Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.
Then again, it is the Finals MVP that really matters.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
NBA Threeview
NBA Threeview
Review
East
1. Atlanta beats visiting Orlando, 85-82, in a preview of a very probable first-round playoff match-up.
2. New York beats host New Jersey, 120-116, winning its second straight after dropping 10 of 11.
3. Chicago travels to Minnesota and routs the Timberwolves, 108-91, while adding a half-game to its conference lead over idle Boston.
West
1. Oklahoma City easily defeats Phoenix, 116-98, to win their fifth straight while all but eliminating the Suns’ playoff hopes.
2. Dallas outlasts host Los Angeles Clippers, 106-100, while keeping pace with second-place Los Angeles Lakers.
3. Houston loses to host Philadelphia, 108-97, dropping the Rockets three games behind victorious Memphis for the final playoff position.
Preview
1. Boston visits San Antonio in a game that each team should treat as a Finals preview. Both championship teams enter the contest with identical 5-5 records through their last 10 games. While San Antonio is battling the injury bug, Boston has yet to find traction after trading away their center(piece), Kendrick Perkins, to Oklahoma City for Jeff Green. In either case, a win tonight will be a welcome sight for sore legs.
2. Los Angeles hosts Dallas in a contest that could determine which of these two teams earns home-court advantage in the second round of the playoffs, a series in which these same teams should meet again. Add to it the fact that both are riding extended winning streaks (L.A.-7 in a row, Dallas-5 in row) and you have the makings of a playoff atmosphere. Exciting, it is.
View
1. The Bulls have only the Celtics to worry about in their pursuit of home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. Miami will end up second or third in the east. Boston, however disappointing recently, can regain its edge while recording a significant late-season statement by defeating the depleted Spurs. A loss, on the other hand, may spur a furious run by the Heat to gain the second seed and home-court in a probable second round match-up against the Celts.
2. Although San Antonio sits atop the league standings, its recent swoon only strengthens the detractors who contend that the Spurs cannot rely on its current core to win another championship. Considering the teams right behind them, they may be correct in their assumptions. Los Angeles, Dallas, Oklahoma City, AND Denver are in the middle of serious late-season runs, the profits of which will be evident when the real season starts and the strengthened chemistry and confidence carries each team during the grueling grind, also known as the first round of the Western Conference.
3. For the second straight game, the Heat have encountered extended scuffling fisticuffs versus cellar dwelling teams who considered their meeting with Miami as Game 7 of the Finals. John Wall and Zydrunas Ilgauskas exchanged contact information with each other-Big Z with a well-concealed veteran elbow or two, and Wall with a similarly concealed hook to the ribs. Two nights ago, Ryan Hollins from Cleveland and Dwyane Wade invited each other to their respective mansions for Easter, I imagine. The Heat have been experiencing firsts all season, obviously. Theses recent pleasantries are exactly what Miami should expect come playoff time, and the Heat should be well-prepared. Not to retaliate, but to do the exact opposite, retreat. Any first-round opponent would be well-served to bait Miami’s trio into a possible melee that could see one of the Big Treat suspended for a game. Heat-Knicks ’97?
Review
East
1. Atlanta beats visiting Orlando, 85-82, in a preview of a very probable first-round playoff match-up.
2. New York beats host New Jersey, 120-116, winning its second straight after dropping 10 of 11.
3. Chicago travels to Minnesota and routs the Timberwolves, 108-91, while adding a half-game to its conference lead over idle Boston.
West
1. Oklahoma City easily defeats Phoenix, 116-98, to win their fifth straight while all but eliminating the Suns’ playoff hopes.
2. Dallas outlasts host Los Angeles Clippers, 106-100, while keeping pace with second-place Los Angeles Lakers.
3. Houston loses to host Philadelphia, 108-97, dropping the Rockets three games behind victorious Memphis for the final playoff position.
Preview
1. Boston visits San Antonio in a game that each team should treat as a Finals preview. Both championship teams enter the contest with identical 5-5 records through their last 10 games. While San Antonio is battling the injury bug, Boston has yet to find traction after trading away their center(piece), Kendrick Perkins, to Oklahoma City for Jeff Green. In either case, a win tonight will be a welcome sight for sore legs.
2. Los Angeles hosts Dallas in a contest that could determine which of these two teams earns home-court advantage in the second round of the playoffs, a series in which these same teams should meet again. Add to it the fact that both are riding extended winning streaks (L.A.-7 in a row, Dallas-5 in row) and you have the makings of a playoff atmosphere. Exciting, it is.
View
1. The Bulls have only the Celtics to worry about in their pursuit of home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. Miami will end up second or third in the east. Boston, however disappointing recently, can regain its edge while recording a significant late-season statement by defeating the depleted Spurs. A loss, on the other hand, may spur a furious run by the Heat to gain the second seed and home-court in a probable second round match-up against the Celts.
2. Although San Antonio sits atop the league standings, its recent swoon only strengthens the detractors who contend that the Spurs cannot rely on its current core to win another championship. Considering the teams right behind them, they may be correct in their assumptions. Los Angeles, Dallas, Oklahoma City, AND Denver are in the middle of serious late-season runs, the profits of which will be evident when the real season starts and the strengthened chemistry and confidence carries each team during the grueling grind, also known as the first round of the Western Conference.
3. For the second straight game, the Heat have encountered extended scuffling fisticuffs versus cellar dwelling teams who considered their meeting with Miami as Game 7 of the Finals. John Wall and Zydrunas Ilgauskas exchanged contact information with each other-Big Z with a well-concealed veteran elbow or two, and Wall with a similarly concealed hook to the ribs. Two nights ago, Ryan Hollins from Cleveland and Dwyane Wade invited each other to their respective mansions for Easter, I imagine. The Heat have been experiencing firsts all season, obviously. Theses recent pleasantries are exactly what Miami should expect come playoff time, and the Heat should be well-prepared. Not to retaliate, but to do the exact opposite, retreat. Any first-round opponent would be well-served to bait Miami’s trio into a possible melee that could see one of the Big Treat suspended for a game. Heat-Knicks ’97?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
NBA Threeview
NBA Threeview
Review
East
1. Miami travels to Cleveland and loses, 102-90, losing a half-game to idle Boston and falling to third place.
West
1. Oklahoma City defeats visiting Golden State, 115-114 in overtime, keeping pace with Dallas for the third seed while almost guaranteeing first-round home-court advantage.
2. Houston is victorious over host Toronto, 112-87, keeping its playoff chances alive and well, while Phoenix dropped a must-win game at Sacramento, 116-113.
Preview
East
1. Orlando and Atlanta match wits tonight in what is sure to be a first-round playoff preview. Although the Hawks hold a 2-1 series advantage this season, the teams have not met since December. Atlanta must prove they can compete with Orlando, or they can expect a repeat of last year’s postseason sweep in the conference semifinals at the hands of the Magic.
2. New York hosts little brother New Jersey in a game that can go a long way toward helping the Knicks gain some momentum in time for the playoffs.
3. Chicago takes on host Minnesota. A victory over the outmanned Timberwolves can erase the memories of last game’s defeat to Philadelphia, while adding a half-game to its lead over Boston.
West
1. New Orleans hosts Portland in a game between the 6 and 7 seeds. While every series in the west will be hotly contested, the Hornets would be well-served to avoid the Lakers at all costs. Portland will have its hands full against either Los Angeles or Dallas, or maybe Oklahoma City, but New Orleans stands no chance against the Lakers.
2. Houston heads east to Philadelphia in a game featuring two of the best ‘teams’ in the league. Philadelphia is a lock to make the playoffs, but Houston must continue its hot streak (7-3 last 10) just to have the honor of playing San Antonio in the first round. It should not surprise anyone if either of these teams sneaks into the conference semis after upsetting a higher seed in the opening round.
3. Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Denver take the floor against inferior teams while each hopes to keep pace with the field. The crowded west is similar to a pulsating heart, an amoeba like substance whose parts continuously move back and forth and sideways until the final days of the season, at which point we will be able to dissect the final product. All we know right now is who will have home-court during the first round, everything else is up for debate.
View
1. Miami experienced its worst loss of the season last night, succumbing to the energized Cavaliers in Cleveland while failing to gain ground on idle Boston and Chicago atop the standings. The Heat had an opportunity the rest of the season to possibly catch the Bulls and definitely pass the Celts. The good news for Miami is they are equally adept at winning, home or away, so home-court advantage in the playoffs is not too much of a factor. The bad news is that they lost to Cleveland.
2. While the top teams in the east have suffered losses each time out, the west’s best, save the injury-riddled San Antonio Spurs, are on fire. Los Angeles, Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Denver each sport winning streaks of at least three games, with the Lakers winning seven straight. The horses have seemingly turned the final corner and hit their stride down the stretch.
3. The Final Four will capture the attention of hoops fans across the country, if not the globe. Four seems to be a magic number. The top four seeds in each conference are legitimate threats to make this year’s Finals. This has not been true for some time, meaning this summer’s playoffs are sure to be a treat. Enjoy.
Review
East
1. Miami travels to Cleveland and loses, 102-90, losing a half-game to idle Boston and falling to third place.
West
1. Oklahoma City defeats visiting Golden State, 115-114 in overtime, keeping pace with Dallas for the third seed while almost guaranteeing first-round home-court advantage.
2. Houston is victorious over host Toronto, 112-87, keeping its playoff chances alive and well, while Phoenix dropped a must-win game at Sacramento, 116-113.
Preview
East
1. Orlando and Atlanta match wits tonight in what is sure to be a first-round playoff preview. Although the Hawks hold a 2-1 series advantage this season, the teams have not met since December. Atlanta must prove they can compete with Orlando, or they can expect a repeat of last year’s postseason sweep in the conference semifinals at the hands of the Magic.
2. New York hosts little brother New Jersey in a game that can go a long way toward helping the Knicks gain some momentum in time for the playoffs.
3. Chicago takes on host Minnesota. A victory over the outmanned Timberwolves can erase the memories of last game’s defeat to Philadelphia, while adding a half-game to its lead over Boston.
West
1. New Orleans hosts Portland in a game between the 6 and 7 seeds. While every series in the west will be hotly contested, the Hornets would be well-served to avoid the Lakers at all costs. Portland will have its hands full against either Los Angeles or Dallas, or maybe Oklahoma City, but New Orleans stands no chance against the Lakers.
2. Houston heads east to Philadelphia in a game featuring two of the best ‘teams’ in the league. Philadelphia is a lock to make the playoffs, but Houston must continue its hot streak (7-3 last 10) just to have the honor of playing San Antonio in the first round. It should not surprise anyone if either of these teams sneaks into the conference semis after upsetting a higher seed in the opening round.
3. Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Denver take the floor against inferior teams while each hopes to keep pace with the field. The crowded west is similar to a pulsating heart, an amoeba like substance whose parts continuously move back and forth and sideways until the final days of the season, at which point we will be able to dissect the final product. All we know right now is who will have home-court during the first round, everything else is up for debate.
View
1. Miami experienced its worst loss of the season last night, succumbing to the energized Cavaliers in Cleveland while failing to gain ground on idle Boston and Chicago atop the standings. The Heat had an opportunity the rest of the season to possibly catch the Bulls and definitely pass the Celts. The good news for Miami is they are equally adept at winning, home or away, so home-court advantage in the playoffs is not too much of a factor. The bad news is that they lost to Cleveland.
2. While the top teams in the east have suffered losses each time out, the west’s best, save the injury-riddled San Antonio Spurs, are on fire. Los Angeles, Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Denver each sport winning streaks of at least three games, with the Lakers winning seven straight. The horses have seemingly turned the final corner and hit their stride down the stretch.
3. The Final Four will capture the attention of hoops fans across the country, if not the globe. Four seems to be a magic number. The top four seeds in each conference are legitimate threats to make this year’s Finals. This has not been true for some time, meaning this summer’s playoffs are sure to be a treat. Enjoy.
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