Near the end of last year, I was diagnosed with severe, proliferative diabetic retinopathy. By March my doctor told me I was legally blind, and up until last week my eyes were useless.
For over a month, I couldn't believe my ears.
While at least five or six teams were battling for the top spot in the Western Conference, one thing caught my attention quicker than Drew Gooden's goatee located on the back of his head.
The undying hate for Kobe Bryant.
Two seasons ago, Steve Nash claimed his second MVP award. Bryant had his best statistical season at that time, averaging over 35 points per game, outscoring the Dallas Mavericks through three quarters, and scoring 81 points on the Toronto Raptors.
Unfortunately for Bryant, the Lakers fought through injuries and pulled away with 45 wins, enough to make the playoffs.
John Stockton would be disappointed. He played a few seasons that matched, and sometimes outmatched, Nash's two MVP seasons. Still, Karl Malone snagged all the credit, while Amare Stoudemire was said to be a product of the unselfish Canadian.
Dominant scorer Kobe? Not good enough.
Last season, Bryant became everyone's favorite team player, changing his jersey number to signify the teammate in him—the new Kobe—all while leading the Lakers to another playoff berth with only 42 wins.
Teammate Kobe? Not good enough.
Many seem to forget that, years ago, Bryant was a stellar teammate. He ran the triangle offense and averaged a team-high in assists for all three dynasty seasons in Los Angeles. He also provided the team with a second option in himself, as well as clutch scoring and exceptional perimeter defense.
Kobe's efforts fell short, though, as Shaquille O'Neal helped split votes in the MVP race. O'Neal even won one despite Kobe's presence.
Championship, facilitator Kobe? Not good enough.
This season, Kobe Bryant is, yet again, the primary scoring option. He's also running the offense, finding open teammates, just as he did eight years ago.
Bryant is playing exceptional first-team perimeter defense. Instead of an average 45-win season, Kobe's Lakers are preparing for their 57th win of the season, top seed in the Western Conference.
With a tear in his finger, an injured Derek Fisher and Andrew Bynum, less than a third of a season with Pau Gasol, and no All-Star teammates to count on, Kobe Bryant has combined everything he has done in the last decade to make a run for the MVP award.
Perfect Kobe? Not good enough.
For reasons I have no explanation for, voters are standing for Chris Paul, who has David West (All-Star), Tyson Chandler (a very good center), and Peja Stojakovic (one of the best shooters in the NBA). Paul is somehow dragging in more support than ever in the second half of the season.
History tells us that if this were Bryant with these teammates in 2001, he would see few votes for MVP.
LeBron James, who has been a dominating statistical monster this season, has no chance of winning 50 games. If this were Bryant in 2006, the voters would put him in his place, at third or fourth in the race.
Boston's superstar forward Kevin Garnett won his only MVP award when he was with Minnesota, logging a 58-win season, similar to Kobe and the Lakers this year.
In the last eight or nine years, Kobe Bryant has done everything there is to do for the Los Angeles Lakers. In the past three or four years, he has been the best player in the NBA.
He may not be as complete as Michael Jordan, but he's as close as anyone can get to arguably the greatest player ever to grace the NBA.
Closest to Michael Jordan? Not good enough.
It's been quite a while since I've actually watched Kobe Bryant play, but quite frankly, I've heard enough. I couldn't help but wonder if these NBA analysts and commentators are suffering from the same disability I am at this time, because from what I've been hearing, all eyes are on Chris Paul.
This is Kobe's 12th NBA season, and zero times he has been named the most valuable player. He's never even been in second place.
It's true that Paul, LeBron, and Garnett may be most valuable to their teams.
But in a pool of 450 players, the one with the highest league value, the man all general managers would pay the most for one single season, the player that has deserved it for quite some time now, Kobe Bryant's reign as NBA most valuable player is long overdue.
Eyes on the prize, Kobe. We've both seen better days.
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6 months ago
very nice.
i do hope that one day kobe will be as good as jordan.
in my mind, he is already equal to jordan, but not everybody sees it that way.
some talk stats and accomplishments, but something sets apart kobe and jordan from the rest.
from 6 months ago
Stats may be different, some in favor of Kobe (highest scoring game, for instance), and MVP race may be one-sided, but Kobe and Jordan are very, very similar. It's tough to find a weakness in their games, which is why both compare quite well. I can't recall any 30+ PPG scorers since Jordan (other than Kobe) who are so dominant on the defensive end as well...not to mention one of the better slashers, a great post game, and the ability to hit from 10-20+ feet out with two people on them.
from 5 months ago
Brandon, nice writing. Although I don't care too much about the MVP, this was a solid analysis of the major players with a nice explanation of why you think Kobe should win the award.
That being said... I just can't believe people are still comparing Kobe to Jordan. I mean, I guess I'm guilty of hating most (if not all) player-to-player comparisons, but Kobe is one of the best of his generation of players. Jordan was the best of all time. As good as Kobe is (and he is VERY good), the comparison falls extremely short.
Other than my critique of the comment though, a solid article. Keep up the good work, I look forward to reading more.
6 months ago
Beautifully written
6 months ago
For a while i thought it should be Chris Paul, but if the lakers can win their final game and clinch the number one seed in the west hands down it has to be Kobe, he would be the best player on the best team in the west, which is the best conference. Although his stats may not be as good as previous years for Kobe, this is by far his best year as a pro. Going into this year no one outside of LA thought that this team had a chance to contend with the upper level of the West's elite, and he has lead this team into the discussion of NBA championship caliber teams.
6 months ago
this article is terrificly composed and well argued. In fact, i was split on the MVP race (CP3 or Kobe) before reading this, but you have convinced me. Keep up the good work.
6 months ago
Kobe fears LeBron.
LeBron owns Kobe.
Kobe won't surpass MJ but LeBron has now surpassed Kobe.
KOBE BRYANT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kobe fears LeBron.
LeBron owns Kobe.
Kobe won't surpass MJ but LeBron has now surpassed Kobe.
KOBE BRYANT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kobe fears LeBron.
LeBron owns Kobe.
Kobe won't surpass MJ but LeBron has now surpassed Kobe.
KOBE BRYANT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kobe fears LeBron.
LeBron owns Kobe.
Kobe won't surpass MJ but LeBron has now surpassed Kobe.
KOBE BRYANT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kobe fears LeBron.
LeBron owns Kobe.
Kobe won't surpass MJ but LeBron has now surpassed Kobe.
KOBE BRYANT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kobe fears LeBron.
LeBron owns Kobe.
Kobe won't surpass MJ but LeBron has now surpassed Kobe.
KOBE BRYANT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 months ago
i love talking about who should be the MVP this year and really it does come down to two men: Kobe or Chris Paul. i dont think Garnett should be in the talk for MVP because he has Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and other players to work with. Just because you have less minutes, points rebounds ect doesnt mean you should be MVP. if thats going to happen you might as well put tim duncan in the conversation as well but we all know that manu ginobili and tony parker do the scoring and duncan is on the defense. Just because you make the biggest turn around in NBA history doesnt mean your MVP.
Now Kobe is Kobe. he will tear it up no matter who he plays or whos on the court. He's going to give you more then 20 points a game and now that he has Gasol there is no stopping him. if you play him rough he's going to get by you and if you dont play him hard he's going to embaress you with a jumper in your face. double team him and he's going to put up assists to his other scorers and yes he has definetly gotten better on the defensive side. Paul on the other hand is also having an awesome year but i agree with brandon that kobe should get MVP. he's long over due Because he has doen this for so long now i think people should start regonizing it. KOBE 4 MVP!!!!
from 6 months ago
The thing I hate about that argument is that it diminishes players for having good teammates. Would Kobe be any less great if he had Tim Duncan on his team? Would Chris Paul have the impact on New Orleans if he had garbage to play with?
And Kobe hasn't torn it up against everyone. Against the premier defender in the NBA this year, Kobe has struggled against Shane Battier. Kobe's also struggled against Paul Pierce, a couple of factors that play heavily in my decision that Paul Pierce is this year's MVP.
6 months ago
Alright.
Last season, the Hornets nearly won 40 games with everyone missing games. Peja nearly missed the entire season. West missed games, Paul missed games. I knew they'd be a 50-win team, easily.
So Chris Paul makes his teammates better? Well, David West is assisted on 50% of his shots. Gasol? 67% of his.
And don't forget, Gasol has only played 27 games with us this season as well. That's about the same amount Peja played for the Hornets all of last season.
Kobe, with a tear in his finger, is carrying the Lakers. Fisher has a tear in his foot. Bynum has been out since January. Ironically enough, the Lakers were first seed WITHOUT Gasol, back in the middle of January when Bynum went down vs. Memphis.
Chandler is averaging 12/12. Bynum was averaging 13/11 before going down.
Peja has had seven seasons where he has shot better from the field without Paul. He is averaging 16.5 PPG on 44% shooting. He has had four seasons where he averaged 20+ PPG and two where he shot 48% from the field...without Paul.
David West shot his best from the field when Chris Paul was a rookie and averaging his lowest assist numbers (under eight per game).
I'm not sure where you guys think Chris Paul is doing a better job with his teammates. Kobe has had less help for the duration of the entire season, including the injuries and not having Gasol, and they still came out with a better record than NOH.
6 months ago
good article, i completely see you're argument but I am a huge Wizards fan and I can never support Kobe after what he said after a game where the Wiz scrubbed the floor with the lakers, Gil demolished Kobe, and the KOBE HAD THE NERVE TO SAY GIL TAKES TOO MANY SHOTS!!!!
He may be a MVPcontender but he is a complete tool who hopefully will never win another championship
from 6 months ago
See, Rohit, if you were a voter, you would vote someone else in just because you can't stand Kobe, as you admitted.
And that's why he's never won it.
5 months ago
Great job like always.
Keep up the great work B.
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