Why Chris Paul Is the NBA's MVP

In what has possibly been the first March when the NBA has trumped college basketball, the hotly contested race for a Western Conference playoff spot has only been matched by the equally murky debate over this season’s most valuable player.

I’ve gone back and forth from one player to another throughout the months after the All-Star break, and with just over two weeks left in the season the choice isn’t any easier.  The field, however, as I’ve concluded, has been whittled down to four contenders: Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Chris Paul. 

Now, KG has restored legitimacy to the Boston Celtics in less than a year—an almost unfathomable notion a couple seasons ago—completely transforming everyone on their roster.  His intensity, particularly on defense (the main reason for the Celtics’ success), has been infectious even to teammates who aren’t especially known for their defensive prowess (i.e. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce).  That’s why the Celtics continued to win when Garnett was sidelined with an abdominal injury.  However, also during that stretch where KG was out of commission, his MVP campaign lost some steam while other contenders seriously picked up their games—like LeBron James.

Since the All-Star break, LBJ has put up Oscar Robertson type numbers.  He has been so insane this year that spectators now expect him to post 30-8-8 every time out.  If he doesn’t, it’s almost considered a mediocre game.  That’s how amazing he has been.  And that’s not even mentioning his defensive improvements, though still sporadic, and the fact that he’s been the best clutch player in the league this season.  Despite his otherworldly statistics, however, I begrudgingly still can’t shake the .554 winning percentage (record of 41-33), in the lowly Eastern Conference no less.  I realize his supporting cast sucks (even the new one after the trade) and LeBron having the Cavs playing this well is in itself a mammoth achievement, I can’t—with a clear conscience—give the MVP to a player whose team didn’t even win its own division.  I didn’t think Kobe deserved it a couple years ago when he, while scoring a million points a game, had a horrendous Lakers team hovering around .500; same logic hear.

So, with KG’s injury-induced loss of steam in his argument and LeBron’s lack of team success, it’s a two man race between Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul, both of whom have been consistently excellent on winning squads.

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