The NBA MVP From 200 Down To 1

The term "Most Valuable Player" has taken such a different meaning in today's NBA. It seems more and more that there are so many factors that determine the eventual winner.

Some say that it is the player's overall meaning to the team. In other words, where would the team be without that particular player.

That isn't a very good way to determine who wins because that means at least eight players every year can win the MVP award.

For example, there's eight playoff teams in 2009 that wouldn't be in the playoffs if it weren't for their star player.

Those teams are: Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat and Utah Jazz.

The all-everything star players of those teams are Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Joe Johnson, Dwyane Wade and Deron Williams in no particular order.

None of those teams smell the playoffs without those guys, so using that criteria is pointless. Others think that the MVP is overall the best player in the league.

That isn't effective in determining the award either, because every great player has a rival that is on the same platform as them.

Magic had Bird and Jordan, Olajuwon had Ewing, Shaq had Duncan and Kobe has LeBron. Who's the best out of LeBron and Kobe? That is highly debatable, but has no clear answer.

The MVP should be the player who meant the most to their team by overall play and team morale for that particular year. Say what you want, but Kobe Bryant was the clear MVP choice last season despite a great year from CP3.

Only if he had upstaged the loaded Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Many players are vital to their teams, but one player usually elevates his play and his teams play beyond expectations and has fun doing it.

Contrastingly, there's guys who hold their teams hostage with not fulfilling expectations and/or creating issues for the franchise.

That my friend is called the LVP or "Least Valuable Player."

We will determine who is both the LVP and MVP in a list that goes from 200 to 1. (Thanks Bill Simmons, one of the best to do it)

Last year the LVP was Stephon Marbury and the MVP was Kobe Bryant. I was right on both accounts. Steph has actually tried to fit in Boston and has become an option behind Rondo. Kobe is Kobe.

Who's MVP? Let's just say lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice. At least not in Los Angeles.

200. Jamaal Tinsley, Indiana Pacers

This year's LVP award winner, Mr. Tinsley has been like a big piece of lard carved from a piece of steak that wasn't good to begin with. It seems like centuries ago when he actually stepped foot in an NBA arena to play.

The guy hasn't played since 2008, has missed 135 games in the last three seasons and is scheduled to make nearly $7 million. Now he wants a buyout? He deserves to be let go for FREE.

192. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets

What happened to him? T-Mac went from among the league's best to an expensive pest for Houston. He's like the ex-girlfriend that just won't seem to go away, even though there's still some luster there. He's missed a zillion games in the past three seasons, and is clearly not the same player. McGrady's went from 25 ppg to 16 ppg, and he's only 29. Watch out.

184. Jermaine O'Neal, Miami Heat

He's back on this list again. Maine has been terrible, and he's virtually no help to a Heat team that could use front-court muscle. Traded from the Raptors for another declining player Shawn Marion, O'Neal has managed to make the Heat actually miss Marion. After his five seasons of glory, this is his ppg average per year: 19.4, 13.6, 13.5, 13.0. Someone's career is burning with the Camry in the Carfax commercial.

173. Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers

One of the biggest deals made in the offseason, Brand was part of a quintuplet of bad players involved in ridiculously dumb moves. Brand, a declining Baron Davis, Corey Maggette and Ricky Davis all swapped places and were paid too much.

None of their respective teams made any noise this season, and Brand hurt himself and missed most the season. The injury wasn't the problem; the fact his team was better without him was.

158. Allen Iverson, Detroit Pistons

This deal was just bad. As Charles Barkley would say, "just terrible!" Chauncey Billups has thrived in Denver and made them a contender in the West. Iverson made the Pistons pretenders like Jarod, and it's sad to watch. His supposedly ailing back has kept him out of the playoffs to get ran out of the gym by LeBron, and that's good for him and Detroit. Maybe keeping his dignity is more important to him.

143. Zach Randolph, Los Angeles Clippers

When your season's highlight is a weak slap-punch to the face of Louis Amundson, your season sucked. Doesn't every season suck for Randolph? He's the proverbial "I'm selfish so I play when I want and I think much more of myself than I really am" guy, and his little impact in the win column for his whole career reflects that. Just look at Portland and weep, Zach.

127. Ricky Davis, Los Angeles Clippers

Just a loser. That's it.

109. Stephon Marbury, Boston Celtics

I commend him for being a backup to Rajon Rondo without complaining or causing a stir. I also commend him for being a fallen star and actually playing still without faking an injury. Keep your head up Steph, at least you're not the LVP again.

100. Baron Davis, Los Angeles Clippers

Thanks to the lying Elton Brand, Baron ended up in the basketball black hole by himself. Never trust a man when it comes to dollar signs. The whole Clipper team should be on this list, and you know what...

94. Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman, Baron Davis, Ricky Davis, Zach Randolph, DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

These guys are all worthless as NBA players. They deserved their own spot here all together like that joke of a unit they put on the floor every night. I'm just saying. Maybe Baron still has something left, and Eric Gordon and Al Thornton are good players. That's about it.

81. Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors

He was supposed to really break out this year, but he went all jackass mode and screwed up his ankle. There was no way he'd miss the first half of the season and come back in shape and ready to play. Basically, he wasted a year of his career. Maybe he can return to form next season. Maybe not.

72. Jordan Farmar, Los Angeles Lakers

Farmar seemed to be molding himself into a serviceable backup and future NBA starting point guard. That was until Shannon Brown stepped into Staples with attitude. Brown is stealing all of Farmar's minutes like a squirrel in a tree biting nuts, and Farmar doesn't look like the angry squirrel who wants his nuts back.

His shoulders look slumped and he seems to be losing confidence faster than Paris Hilton loses her underwear.

54. Nate Robinson, New York Knicks

The little big PG played very well this season for the Knicks, who for the first time in forever had playoff aspirations for over half the season. The bad part about little Nate is that he simply doesn't pass the ball or make his teammates better. He averages 17.1 ppg, but under 4.5 assists per. If Jason Kidd offers a camp, he's better be first in line.

41. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers

An injury waiting to happen, Oden has the record for most times a franchise held it's breath in a player's first two seasons. Every time Oden makes a step, Nate McMillan is looking away hoping he will turn his head to see Oden still standing. Oden so far is a out of shape looking softie who can play a little when he's healthy and not fouling. That's a whole 'nother story, bro.

33. Trevor Ariza, Los Angeles Lakers

After his foot injury, Phil and Kobe actually have a hidden gem in Ariza. He's played very well for LA, and his intangibles on the court could mean the difference between watching No. 23 or No. 24 holding up the trophy at Finals end.

21. Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee Bucks

The man with no eyebrows has been a good player for Scott Skiles in Milwaukee. I find it interesting that he gets laid into for Twittering during a game, but Shaq got away with it. Anyway, Villanueva is a difference maker who joins Rudy Gay as UConn players who are still being overlooked. All you fantasy-ers watch out for Charlie next year.

17. Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix Suns

Even though the Suns missed the postseason for the first time since the 2003-04 season, Shaq was a bright spot in his old age for Phoenix. The big man won the All-Star game MVP with his old friend Kobe, did a great performance with the Jabbawockeez, and averaged nearly 18 ppg and over 8 rpg.

11. Derrick Rose/Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks/Chicago Bulls

Both of these guards helped to lead their teams to the playoffs, and were superb. Johnson has been around longer, but his teams maturity and better play may lead them into a second round birth. D-Rose has exceeded all expectations in Chicago and beside being the league's best rookie, is currently pushing Rondo and the champs to the hilt.

10. Chauncey Billups/Carmelo Anthony/J.R Smith, Denver Nuggets

Billups arrived in Denver to a wacky team that never could make sense of their talent. Melo shoots less, J.R realizes how good he is and Billups is the facilitator. Bingo.

9. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Another great regular season for the German. We expect it now.

8. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Full season, no McGrady, Ron Artest, emergence of Landry, Wafer and Brooks, playoffs. Same formula, hopefully for the 20-10-3 Yao, not same results.

7. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz

Second most dangerous PG in the league, Williams can score, shoot and pass. Not to mention, he'll pick your pockets. If the Jazz dump Boozer and pick up someone like Chris Bosh in 2010, the Jazz may be playing tunes in the Finals.

6. Pau Gasol/Tim Duncan, LA Lakers/San Antonio Spurs

Duncan is getting old and his NBA career is winding down, but he's still the most crafty big man to play in a long time. Pau Gasol has been sensational again and will be the difference for Kobe. Can he toughen up?

5. Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers

I just love this guy's game. Since the days in Washington. The consummate pro, Roy is a lethal shooter who can do it all on the court. If the Blazers indeed get past the Rockets, watch out KB24.

4. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

The best center in the game, Howard is developing moves down low everyday. All of the talk about him not being serious enough is wrong, and Rafer Alston is NOT Jameer Nelson.

3. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Just plain face-scrunching amazing. Period. Best comeback season since Michael Jordan. Never count D-Wade out again. He may be home by May, though. Damn you Michael Beasley!

2. Kobe Bryant/Chris Paul, Los Angeles Lakers/New Orleans Hornets

Last year's MVP, Kobe's been doing it for a long time now. Remember the days he hung out with Brandy? He's not that KB anymore, and if it weren't for someone wearing the No. 23's jaw-dropping year, he may be a two-time MVP. CP3 is the best point in the NBA, and will be back in this position every season. Don't worry Chris, your Maurice Podoloff trophy is on the way.

MVP- LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

I could go on and on about 'Bron's statistics, but I will spare you that. The point is, the young man from St. Vincent St. Mary's has became the best overall player in the game. Kobe's soon ready to hand the torch, and LeBron couldn't be more ready.

Giving him Mo Williams was a brilliant move by the Cavs front office, and may mean a title in Cleveland. LeBron's passion, morale, hard work on both sides of the court, respect commanded from his teammates and the entire NBA and astronomical abilities make him the 2008-09 season MVP.

You can book it.

You can also book the fact that LeBron will win more of these and that he's become that guy that nobody can guard or has any answers for.

Just ask Detroit.