Let’s put this in perspective—Dwyane Wade is only getting shafted out of the 2009 NBA's Most
Valuable Player Trophy for one reason, and one reason only: his team is only going to finish 2 or 3 games above .500 for the entire season. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers and Lakers, LeBron and Kobe’s teams (did I even need to say that??) are sitting more than 50 games above .500, basically implying to many voters and fans that they are more deserving of the award. In terms of MVP criteria, wins is an extremely important determinant in deciding who actually should receive the award. It is that way, and I believe it should be that way. At the same time, in order to evaluate an individual award in a team sport, I would like to think that you have to take into account the situation being presented to the player to truly determine whether or not they proved “Most Valuable” in the league, or if a portion of their value is credited to the team around them (and if so, how much). With all that said, let’s cut to the chase…Kobe has Gasol, an all-star post player, a $60 million center, a 3-time champion point guard, and an array of young talent around him. He has a team of veterans who all have (at minimum) reached the NBA Finals. He won the MVP Trophy at long last a year ago, and he’s returned this year to similar brilliance, albeit in the form of lesser numbers. 60+ wins, admirable. But expected. LeBron James is the best player in the league. If that were the argument today I’d be on the wrong side of it writing this article—that much I’ll admit. But from his past we’ve seen that his unselfishness in an even vote should actually work against him in the MVP voting. That is, he is the best player in the league right now because his supporting cast this year has been exponentially better. Surround him with below-average shooters and a loafing center and he is forced to do things he’s not yet great at. Surround him with the best shooting center and backcourt in the league, along with a stifling defensive plan from his coach, and he’s an unstoppable force, and the owner of the league’s best record. Simple. And Dwyane Wade? Well, it’s been quite a different road for Wade this year. Despite numerous personal and professional difficulties, he has managed to fight through the season in a way that has impressed voters to give him a peek for MVP. Of course, his actual “peak” seems to be 2nd or 3rd place. Well here’s a case for DWade.
Valuable Player Trophy for one reason, and one reason only: his team is only going to finish 2 or 3 games above .500 for the entire season. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers and Lakers, LeBron and Kobe’s teams (did I even need to say that??) are sitting more than 50 games above .500, basically implying to many voters and fans that they are more deserving of the award. In terms of MVP criteria, wins is an extremely important determinant in deciding who actually should receive the award. It is that way, and I believe it should be that way. At the same time, in order to evaluate an individual award in a team sport, I would like to think that you have to take into account the situation being presented to the player to truly determine whether or not they proved “Most Valuable” in the league, or if a portion of their value is credited to the team around them (and if so, how much). With all that said, let’s cut to the chase…Kobe has Gasol, an all-star post player, a $60 million center, a 3-time champion point guard, and an array of young talent around him. He has a team of veterans who all have (at minimum) reached the NBA Finals. He won the MVP Trophy at long last a year ago, and he’s returned this year to similar brilliance, albeit in the form of lesser numbers. 60+ wins, admirable. But expected. LeBron James is the best player in the league. If that were the argument today I’d be on the wrong side of it writing this article—that much I’ll admit. But from his past we’ve seen that his unselfishness in an even vote should actually work against him in the MVP voting. That is, he is the best player in the league right now because his supporting cast this year has been exponentially better. Surround him with below-average shooters and a loafing center and he is forced to do things he’s not yet great at. Surround him with the best shooting center and backcourt in the league, along with a stifling defensive plan from his coach, and he’s an unstoppable force, and the owner of the league’s best record. Simple. And Dwyane Wade? Well, it’s been quite a different road for Wade this year. Despite numerous personal and professional difficulties, he has managed to fight through the season in a way that has impressed voters to give him a peek for MVP. Of course, his actual “peak” seems to be 2nd or 3rd place. Well here’s a case for DWade. You can find the rest of this blog at http://go2page3.blogspot.com/
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