Stephen Jackson for MVP? Closer Than You Think

Scribe Written on July 07, 2009

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 19: Stephen Jackson #1 of the Golden State Warriors controls the ball against Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 19, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 114-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Stephen Jackson will garner votes for MVP this year, pending the Warriors aren’t hit with massive injuries. Are you calling me crazy? Well, let's check some things out.

MVPs are the leaders of their respective teams. They make the key plays, play the stingiest defense, and create opportunities for their teammates throughout the season, while carrying the offensive load.

Let's look at Jackson’s last year and compare it with the likes of Kobe, LeBron, Dwyane, and others.

Points/ Rebounds/ Assists/ Steals/ Minutes/ FT %/ FG %/ 3P%

Stephen Jackson: 20.7/5.1/6.5/1.5/39.6/.826/.414/.338

LeBron James: 28.4/7.6/7.2/1.69/37.7/.780/.489/ .344

Dwyane Wade: 30.2/5.0/7.5/2.19/38.6/.765/.495/.317

Kobe Bryant: 26.8/5.2/4.9/1.46/36.1/.856/.467/.351

Chris Paul: 22.8/5.5/11.0/2.77/38.5/.868/.503/.364

If you look closely there are four people who averaged 20 points, six assists, and five rebounds, and Kobe Bryant is the odd man out. Now, I know Jackson’s stats last season weren’t that close to these four MVP-caliber seasons.

But let's take a step forward, shall we?

Next season should be a better year for the Warriors. Jackson’s field goal percentage ought to be better along with assists and rebounds.

Why is that, you ask?

His assists will go up because he has more weapons on the offensive end. Even though they did lead the league in points last season, they will have had this time to gel and knock shots down more consistently.

The addition of Stephen Curry, the return of Monta Ellis, and the Warriors being healthy should keep double teams off of Jackson so he can shoot a better percentage and have more weapons around him to rack up some more assists.

Rebounds will go up because the Warriors can’t play defense worse than they did last season.

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written on July 07, 2009 Opinion

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