A Case For Kobe

Kobe Bryant is the NBA MVP. Okay, not yet...but he should be.

As far as I know, the debate comes down to Kobe, LeBron, Chris Paul, and Kevin Garnett. Here are five reasons why I believe Kobe Bryant should win the award.

1.) He has the most polished offensive game since "His Airness." Kobe is a matchup nightmare. He has proved time and time again that he can post up smaller guards and take taller, longer guards off the bounce all the way to the cup. He averaged 28.3 ppg this year, compared to LeBron's 30.0, CP3's 21.1 and KG's 18.8.

2.) He is a superb defender. Kobe is a five time all NBA Defensive First Team performer (and is working on his third straight). Kobe is consistently asked to step up and defend the opposing team's best player. His length and tenacity are his two greatest defensive attributes.

3.) He is the best player on the best team in the NBA (according to seeds). Dirk won it last year (although, Kobe was the best player in the NBA) and the Mavericks were the No. 1 seed in the West. Nash won it the two previous years with the Suns garnering the No. 1 seed in the West in 2005 and the No. 2 seed in the 2006 playoffs.

Before Nash,  KG won the award (2004) and that was the year the T-Wolves were the No. 1 seed in the West. My point is this: if history teaches us anything, then Kobe trumps LeBron because Kobe leads a legit Title-contending team.

4.) Kobe is the best player in the NBA. Put it all together. He has an unbelievable offensive skill set and is an impossible matchup. He sees the floor (5.4 apg) and is able to make the players around him better (Odom is the prime example). On top of all this, he is a lock down defender.

5.) Finally, if Kobe doesn't win the MVP this year, when will he? I can't imagine looking back at all of Kobe's accomplishments and that list not including an MVP award.