Kobe Bryant for MVP?

So far this has been one of the strangest NBA seasons in recent memory. From the battle for playoff contention in the wild Western Conference to the fall of teams like the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, the playoff race has been just crazy this year. 

There was a time when people said that Kobe Bryant was a lock. He has been one of the best players in the NBA for several years now and he deserves it. He has shown that he can lead a team and still take over and be the most dominant player on the court in any game. 

So the question remains, why not Kobe? And if not Kobe, who?

Chris Paul: Paul has quickly become the best point guard in the NBA. He led a team of former nobodies to greatness atop the West standings. He combines amazing basketball knowledge and savvy with blow by speed and a dependable shot. He averages about 22 points, four rebounds, and 12 assists per game. But looking past just the pure numbers you see that CP3 is elevating his play every night and willing the Hornets to the top of the West. If Kobe doesn't get MVP it should probably go to Paul.

Tracy McGrady: People seemed to forget rather quickly that T-Mac led the Rockets to 22 straight wins. During their win streak T-Mac stepped up his game and became a force to feared. He finally started jelling with his team even without Yao Ming and led the Rockets to the second greatest single season win streak in NBA history. He is currently averaging 23 points, six assists and six rebounds per game.

LeBron James: Of course King James has to be mentioned in the conversation because he has proven himself as one of best players in the NBA. He took the Cavs to the Finals last year almost by himself. LeBron is one of the most athletic and strong guards in the league and as his shot has improved so has his confidence. He has had another solid year, but his team is battling for the fourth slot in the struggling East. If the MVP award were based solely on numbers then he would be a lock by virtue of his monstrous stats. He is averaging almost a triple-double with 32 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists per night. Not to mention he has turned it up on defense averaging two steals a game.

All these candidates have a legitimate claim to the MVP trophy. At this point the only thing that is certain is that the MVP will be controversial debate until the day it is given out.