Because Mashburn says so

 

 

By Jamal Mashburn

ESPN.com

 

At the beginning of the season, I picked Kobe Bryant to finish as the MVP.

When I did that, I took into consideration everything he's accomplished in his career, yet he's never been the MVP for the regular season.

 

Why not? I don't know why this particular recognition has eluded him. Maybe there's some backlash about the breakup with the popular Shaq. Maybe, to a degree, the Colorado court case. There's no doubt his image has taken a hit.

 

And maybe we've just become accustomed to his being a superstar player.

 

Then the season began. Before he went on this latest run, he was taking seven fewer shots per game and still averaging 29 points per game. He was making his teammates better, Luke Walton and Andrew Bynum in particular, getting everybody involved. And in the last few weeks, when his team needed him to take over in scoring, he did.

 

He's my call for MVP.

 

However, Bryant had an off night Tuesday, scoring 23 in an 88-86 loss to the lowly Grizzlies. That snapped the Los Angeles Lakers' win streak at five. And it snapped Kobe's 40-point-game streak at five, too.

 

Overall, though, he has done more for his team (compared to other MVP candidates) even though his supporting cast isn't as good. The Lakers might not be winning at the level of the Spurs and Mavericks, but without him they're a lottery team.

 

I don't think the award has to go to the best player on the team with the best record, even though I really like what Dirk Nowitzki has done this year.

 

Kobe's popularity might show he's the people choice. His jersey is No. 1 in sales -- when I think MVP, I look at somebody with star power. No shortage of that here.

 

Let's not forget about his defense. There are questions that could be raised about parts of most candidates' games, but there really aren't a lot of weaknesses in Kobe's game.

I don't think he is right but he makes a decent case for him.

If Mash says so, I'm on board.

I can't stand Kobe.

 

He has proven that he is the best player in the NBA and is the MVP for the season.

 

Also, to use Kobe to give a perspective of Wilt Chamberlain....

Kobe's March was awesome. 5 games over 50 points. Averaged 40 points per game for the month. Awesome, awesome month.

 

And then look at what Wilt did for a SEASON. Averaged 50 points per game for the SEASON. As great and awesome as Kobe's MONTH was, he still averaged 10 points below what Wilt did for a SEASON.

Kobe could have averaged over 50 for a season to if he played in the era Wilt did. He wouldn't be alot taller than the others like wilt but would be WAY to athletic & offensivly gifted than everybody else.

For starters I am not a Kobe fan at all nor NBA fan for that matter. But you can't compare Wilt and Kobe, it is a completely different era of basketball. Thats like comparing Pujols to Ruth. Its a different style of baseball. Truth is, athletics as a whole are completely different than they were say 50 years ago.

Kobe Bryant is a phenominal basketball player. He impresses me because he will be double-teamed and still score, simply unbelievable.

We take Kobe for granted. We all know how great he is and everything, but yet we don't want to acknowledge it. He is the best player in the league and has been for the last 3+ years.

Kobe could have averaged over 50 for a season to if he played in the era Wilt did. He wouldn't be alot taller than the others like wilt but would be WAY to athletic & offensivly gifted than everybody else.

That's probably true for half of the people in the NBA right now.

Hey its Mashburn, how can you argue with that!! I do not like Kobe Bryant. I never really have. But I do think it should either be him or Dirk Nowitski. As of right now I believe its a 2 man race.

That's probably true for half of the people in the NBA right now.

I agree I think a lot of people in the NBA would/could have done close to what Wilt did back then.

He could very well be the MVP of the league, but Nash and Dirk are also very valuble. Those teams are still as good or better as LA with or without their stars so that's one for Kobe, but I go with Nash.

I agree I think a lot of people in the NBA would/could have done close to what Wilt did back then.

And you allow a lot of the players in those days to play in today's NBA where the stars are protected and the defenses have to be creative in doubleteaming the stars and they would average as much as the stars of today do.

 

If it was so easy in scoring in those days, why didn't more do it? Look at the top career scorers in NBA History, most come from today's game where the rules are designed to make scorers have an EASIER route in scoring.

And you allow a lot of the players in those days to play in today's NBA where the stars are protected and the defenses have to be creative in doubleteaming the stars and they would average as much as the stars of today do.

 

If it was so easy in scoring in those days, why didn't more do it? Look at the top career scorers in NBA History, most come from today's game where the rules are designed to make scorers have an EASIER route in scoring.

I really don't think that they would generally score the way players do today if they were dropped into the league. Not to say that some couldn't but as a whole I just don't see it. The athleticism is on a whole new level in today's game.

Hey its Mashburn, how can you argue with that!! I do not like Kobe Bryant. I never really have. But I do think it should either be him or Dirk Nowitski. As of right now I believe its a 2 man race.

 

If Mashburn told you to jump off a cliff, you wouldn't think twice...:lol:

If Mashburn told you to jump off a cliff, you wouldn't think twice...:lol:

 

:irked:

 

Good point! I have always said that Pitino was the thunder that brought Kentucky basketball back and Mashburn was the lightning!