Bleacher Report - Articles by Chad Ridgeway

Fear Not Lakers' Fans: This One's Going to Seven

Chad Ridgeway — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:31:31 -0400

I don't know what the folks in Los Angeles ate tonight, but whatever it was, it's spewed all over Figueroa St. and Santa Monica Blvd. this evening, the stench lingering throughout the greater Los Angeles area until this weekend.

It didn't need to be a blowout victory. Lamar Odom didn't need to drop a 50-point triple double. But when a team that hasn't lost on it's home court in over three months loses.... after being up by 20 midway through the third quarter... in the NBA Finals... it's worst than "The One that Got Away."

For basketball fans it's a crying shame.

For the Laker's it's a disaster.

A crying shame because a 2-2 series with somebody going back to Boston facing elimination sets the stage for a classic finale. A disaster because 3-1 hole in the NBA Finals is a death sentence.

The end of game 4 was a slow motion nightmare, like waking up during an operation. It wasn't just that they lost, it was the way they lost. Teasing us with the greatest lead in NBA Final's history after the first quarter. Finally delivering on the Showtime display we've been expecting. And then I lost sensation in my legs and my stomach rose up to my throat while I covered my mouth with my hands...

Excuse me for a moment while I clean up my dinner....

....

Don't think for a second that the Lakers are losing game 5. Los Angeles isn't losing two in a row, and the Lakers aren't ending the season on their home court.

Game 5 is a given, so there's no need to ice champagne and lay out the hats and t-shirts in the Celtic's locker room "just in case." David Stern won't be making a speech on Saturday night, and the Larry O'Brien trophy will stay locked up until next week.

Game 6 will be the challenge. It's easy enough to end the story there, with Boston winning it all in The Garden. As a fan, I may be crossing the bounds of objectivity, but don't you think the Lakers can win in Boston just once this series? Don't you think they can find the moxie that they displayed with such gusto during the first three rounds of the tougher Western Conference playoffs? Don't you think that for one game Kobe can be Kobe and that Lamar can be Lamar? Or that Pau can be just decent?

The Lakers are down 3-1 to a team that has looked superior all series. But if any team can win on their home court and find a way win one game on the road, it's this loaded, heavily-favored-not-so-long-ago Lakers' squad.

For those of you that bleed purple and gold, your hearts were broken tonight. The stench of upturned stomachs will leave a heavy residue in the morning, but you can count on Game 5. Game 6 will be a story.

And anything can happen in Game 7.

Kobe Bryant Jumping over Car: Fake, but Cool

Chad Ridgeway — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:04:00 -0400

You may have seen the video of Kobe Bryant jumping over the Aston Martin at 50 mph on ESPN or around the Internet. It's shocking, unexpected, cool, and completely 100% unadulteratedly fake.

As a visual effects artist, I can say that this kind of thing isn't too complicated. You can shoot it in multiple passes. No green screen work, no intense color correction (as long as you shoot quick so daylight doesn't change), and you'd get realistic lighting and shadows (because both "plates" are real). The edges on Kobe look questionable when he's up in the air and there seems to be a slight transition at the moment the car enters the frame. (A better version is at the official KB24 site)

Plus, if this really were just an amatuer video with Kobe and a couple of his buddies, the camera would have been handheld. The fact that this is filmed from a straight-on angle and the camera is locked off reaks off post-production.

And remember; this is a commercial. He's advertising his new Hyperdunk shoes! What kind of person shows the camera his shoes, and then puts them on right before he jumps over a car, and then talks about them when he lands? Someone trying to sell you shoes! It's a great idea, it's great marketing!

As a basketball fan I can completely assure you that logically this could never happen. No player (but ESPECIALLY one of Kobe's stature and importance) would do this. Vlad Rad got busted for snowboarding. Greg Oden got busted for a pickup game. NBA players aren't even supposed to ride motorcycles! Kobe's putting off surgery to win a championship now, but he's jumping over cars?

Regardless, it's nice to see the lighter side of Kobe and it's cool that he's doing something fun for the fans (and generatring buzz for his shoes).

The NBA Rapidfire Report: C-Webb Out, Dirk Out, Sonics Out, Walsh In

Chad Ridgeway — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:32:56 -0400

This week we’re covering some interesting tidbits from around the league. C-Webb is officially retiring after many would say he’s already been gone for years. The Sonics are closer than ever to moving but may not take their name with them. A possible (and looooong overdue) change in Knicks’ management and an injury takes down the reigning MVP and possibly his team’s playoff hopes. Horn me!

The Sonics appear to be leaving Seattle along with the rights to their name. What would you name the new franchise in Oklahoma City?

Andrew Kneeland: Oklahoma City Octopus. Needless to say, I don't want the Sonics to move. I was just starting to like them before word came out of the move. Now I'm bitter for no real reason.

Andrew Ungvari: The Thieves, the Heartbreakers, the Beneficiaries, the Robber Barons, or the Innocent Bystanders.

Chad Ridgeway: The Oklahoma City Oakies. It’d be like the even more redneck version of the Houston Texans.

Joe Willet: Possibly the Oklahoma City "It's About Times" since they have been trying to get a team for the last few years. Or "The True Second Team" since they are the second team Oklahoma City wanted.

Ptownsblazin: This is a good question. I think the Sonic name deserves to be left with the City of Seattle so coming up with a good nickname is difficult. The Cyclones or Cowboys could be two nicknames that come to mind quickly.

Reddog: Oklahoma City Cowboys, Oklahoma City Wranglers.

WildWilly: Oklahoma Mountain Boomers. Their state reptile is the Mountain Boomer. No team has gone with a reptile team logo and I think it would be cool and can get a cool logo from it. Unless you want to consider a Raptor a reptile, which is debatable.

How sad are you that Chris Webber is retiring and what will you remember most about him?

Andrew Kneeland: Not very sad, as I won't affect my life very much at all. As for a favorite memory, that "fake" timeout he called while with Michigan was priceless. They lost the Championship game to North Carolina because of him.

Andrew Ungvari: What I'll remember most about Chris Webber is that he was a guard in a big man's body. He was as skilled as any big-man but he never wanted to take the big shot. The timeout he called in college will always be a part of his legacy but he got over it instead of letting it destroy him. Am I sad he's gone? Not really. In reality, he's been gone since he had microfracture surgery in 2003.

Chad Ridgeway: It’s sad, with shades of a Karl Malone-like ignominious retirement. I’ll remember his cheesy commercials with Vlade Divac. I’ll remember that he was a headlining big man during the glory days of the Western Conference power forward, with him as the best scoring PF, ‘Sheed as the best defensive PF, KG as the most versatile PF, and Duncan as the best all around PF.

And I’ll remember that he could never, ever get passed the Lakers.

Joe Willet: I'm not exactly sad that he is retiring because of the drop-off in productivity, but he has been an important player to the NBA. I'm going to remember a strong defender. I'm going to remember a man that could score whenever he wanted to, and grabbed rebounds also at will. I'm going to remember a man that dominated the NBA inside for 14 years, and a future Hall of Famer. Anything less would be insulting.

Ptownsblazin: I feel it was time for Webber to hang them up so I am not sad. He recovered decently from his Microfracture Surgery but was obviously never the same afterwards. He will be remembered as one of the best PF's of his generation and is a fringe HOFer but I feel his most memorable moment will be his biggest blunder the infamous Timeout in the Championship Game of the NCAA tournament.

Reddog: As a Michigan fan, I'll always remember the timeout.

WildWilly: Sad to see one of the best PF's of our generation and won’t be recognized for what he did for Sacremento will be leaving the NBA. The guy is a sure HOF player and will be put in prob for his college career alone. He led his teams further then most players have ever lead there teams. And sadly we'll all remember him for his shortcomings and his big choke in college.

Now that Dirk is out are the Nuggets in?

Andrew Kneeland: I was expecting a close race, but it appears that it will be even closer now, doesn't it? I think that Golden State will pass Dallas, and Denver will give the Mavs one huge scare, but Dallas will hang on with the eighth seed.

Andrew Ungvari: Yes...unless the Mavs can win in Denver tomorrow night. It would not only increase their lead over the Nuggets to three games but it would also give them the season series, thus making the lead more like four games.

Chad Ridgeway: The Mavs were already on a downward spiral. They’ll miss the playoffs. Avery will be fired. And as the regular season winds down Mark Cuban’s expression will become more and more demented.

Joe Willet: Dirk’s injury takes out a major scoring threat for the Mavs. Also, they face mostly strong competition over the final stretch of the season. The Nuggets, on the other hand, have a pretty easy schedule, playing about half of the games against strong teams and the rest against mediocre teams. I don't think that the Mavs will reach the playoffs, mainly because of this major loss. They won't be able to score, and relying on Jason Kidd isn't exactly the best offensive strategy. The Nuggets, on the other hand, have Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and Marcus Camby. They are going to be strong in the playoffs, and the Mavs players probably won't enjoy watching it in their respective homes.

Ptownsblazin: This is a very tough question. The Mavs do have a two game head start for that playoff spot and even with Dirk going down they still have a solid group of guys to squeeze into the playoffs. So I have to say no the Nuggets won't get in at the expense of the Mavericks. I think the Mavericks may fall to the eighth seed but I think they will find a way to make it in.

Reddog: Out, unless he's back in a week. Josh Howard can't carry the whole load.

WildWilly: If Dirk is only out two weeks Mavs will make the postseason. I notice many people trying to write them off, but I don’t see Nuggs overtaking them unless Dirk is out longer and the injury is more serious than originally thought. Hell, maybe Avery will wise up soon and let Kidd run the offense, but if he doesn't it will be a quick first round exit.

Over or under: Donnie Walsh will help the Knicks to a winning record in three years?

Andrew Kneeland: It's possible. Give any horrible team three top draft picks and they will be borderline decent again. Isn't it called Newton's Law of Draft Day?

Andrew Ungvari: It'll take exactly three years. Unless he can trade two from the group of Zach Randolph, Eddy Curry, Jared Jeffries and Quentin Richardson, the Knicks won't have any cap space until the summer of 2010. Had they not traded Steve Francis for Randolph they would have had that space next summer when Steph Marbury's contract expires. The only thing that the Knick's can hope for at this point is that Walsh can draft two or three players until then that they can build the team around when they finally have cap space. Historically, Walsh was very good at drafting players with picks between 15-30. It will be interesting to see what he can do with a top-8 pick.

Chad Ridgeway: Under. LeBron is coming in two years.

Joe Willet: One winning season if he does everything right over the next three seasons. He is going to need two years to find a way to unload over-sized contracts and convince good players that the days of coming to New York just for the cash are over. Basically, it is going to be harder than selling ice to Eskimos. If he couldn't do it in Indiana, I have trouble thinking that he will do it in New York with about 10 trillion times the pressure.

Ptownsblazin: I have to go Under. Walsh has made some memorable trades while running the Pacers (Jermaine Oneal for Dale Davis comes to mind as a Blazer fan) and he is the right man for the job in my opinion. I think the Knicks can be a winning team but I don't see them being anything more than first round fodder in a couple years but that will go a long way to erase the memory of what has been an embarrassing franchise for several years. I think Walsh's first move should be removing Isaiah but if he keeps Isaiah it could mean a little longer in the turn around.

Reddog: The Pacers have fallen on hard times recently and the Knicks are even worse - more than 3 years to fix this mess, if he's even capable of fixing it - overrated in my opinion. It's not like the Pacers are anything special.

WildWilly: Donnie Walsh should help this team win in two years. They have some good young players but are filled with player who can’t play with each other very well. Expect him to get a big player as soon as Marbury's contract is up. NY fans have created a website to draw Lebron in and he can be the biggest thing that happened to NY if he decides to go. And I don't see Zeke coaching much longer, which will be another positive.

Want to ask a question for the “NBA Rapidfire Report”? Interested in being on the panel? Email Chad Ridgeway at chadnisha@gmail.com

NBA Rapidfire Report: Top Writers Talk Up the Playoffs

Chad Ridgeway — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:05:54 -0400

The 2007-08 NBA season is buzzing with subplots and marquee matchups. With so much intrigue I rounded up some of the Bleacher Report's Top Writers to drop in their two cents on the topics of the day. Make sure to look for more Rapid Reports coming every week, each time with new questions and fresh writers, and please chime in with your own comments!

In the tightest West ever, who takes the No. 1 spot and how important is seeding?

Andrew Kneeland (Senior Writer, 58 articles): The popular pick would be Houston, but I'm going to have to say Los Angeles. The Lakers just have too many play makers on their team to be bested by the Rockets. Granted, Houston is on an extremely long streak, but weren't they out of the playoff picture before it started? I don't expect "the streak" to continue much further, and you should see the Houston Rockets come back to earth. Right about that time, Gasol will be back and healthy, and Kobe and Bynum should both be 100% by then. As for seeding, I don't think it really makes that much of a difference. Sure, teams want the highest seeds they can get, but, obviously, they have to play everybody if they want to make it to the Finals. All eight of the potential playoff teams can play extremely good at times, and I don't think you can tell when a certain player is going to have a great game. Seeding shouldn't be that big of a factor this year.

Chad Ridgeway (Contributor, 5 articles): In a West where the top 8 seeds have been separated by a week’s worth of games all season (and the grip only tightening) it's impossible to pick a #1 seed, even this late in the season. The Lakers haven't played good defense. The Rockets can't keep up their pace. The Spurs are surprisingly unsteady but are still boringly good. The Mavs and Hornets could get hot. It's all arbitrary at this point. Seeding, however, is more important than ever.

Erick Blasco (Senior Writer, 82 Articles): As has been the case all season, there are way too many excellent teams in the West to accurately predict the number 1 seed with any degree of certainty. The team that gets healthy and peaks in April will be the number 1 seed in the playoffs.

Seeding is crucial this year, to some teams more than others. The Spurs and Suns are veteran teams that know how to play on the road. Getting low seeding won't cripple those teams in the playoffs. However, teams like Dallas and Utah struggle so much on the road that getting a high seed and home-court advantage is imperative for their playoff successes.

Also, teams that are new to the postseason (New Orleans) are best served by having their first postseason games at home to help adjust to getting acclimated to the physicality and intensity of playoff basketball. With that said, the Spurs and Suns can succeed at any spot while Dallas and Utah need to be at home to win playoff series.

Joe Willett (Columist, 41 articles): I think that the West is going to go to the Lakers. Andrew Bynum is ready to come back in about a month, Pau is taking some days off which could drop them a little. The Rockets have to go through a tough schedule over the next few games which will hurt their record, also, they aren't as much of a force without Yao, but the Rockets will definitely make some noise in the playoffs. San Antonio is also going to be tough to beat and they will be in the race for home-court advantage, but I think, in the end, the Lakers will take home the prize.

Which Western team is the odd man out of the playoffs?

Andrew Kneeland: I'm going to say Denver on this one. I think the Western Conference will stay the way it is right now, and the ninth team right now is the Denver Nuggets. I think that Phoenix will find a way to stop their slide, and the Texas teams, Dallas and San Antonio, will either gain ground or remain where they are in the standings. Golden State is currently (as of Monday the 17th) leading the Nuggets by one and a half games, and are riding a hot streak (8-2 in the last ten games).

Chad Ridgeway: A month and a half ago it was a battle between Houston, Denver, and Golden State. Now that Houston has rocketed it's way to the top it comes down to the Nuggets and Warriors, and it's a shame that one of these teams won't make an appearance on the big stage. However, Denver hasn’t made a strong case for themselves lately, so they’re out.

Erick Blasco: No team is safe from missing the playoffs, but Denver has the steepest mountain to climb to get in. The Nuggets defense loses focus for prolonged stretches, and they are woeful on the road. Golden State is more consistent and is a tougher defensive team.

Joe Willett: I keep jumping back and forth between the Nuggets and Warriors as the team that will be stuck out of the playoffs. Looking at the Nuggets, I think that they have a better chance at the playoffs because of the way that either Allen Iverson or Carmelo Anthony can completely take over a game or keep you in games that you shouldn't be in because of bench play or other reasons. The Warriors face plenty of playoff teams and have a tougher schedule which will also cost them come the end of the season. So the Warriors will be stuck out of the playoffs this season.

Which under the radar team in the East should we be watching out for in the playoffs?

Andrew Kneeland: The Cleveland Cavaliers. I don't know if they're really "under the radar", but they have quite a few great players on their team now after the blockbuster that sent them Wallace, West, Smith, and Szczerbiak. Oh, and they also have a player named LeBron James. Do I even need to talk about that character? While Cleveland isn't exactly thriving after the big trade, I think the main reason to blame is how little they've played with each other. These are some big name players who are joining one team. I think they will be a lot more comfortable with each other come playoff time. Oh yeah, and the fact that LeBron can rack up 40 points any night is another reason why I like them in the weaker East.

Chad Ridgeway: None. There will be no first round upsets and, in fact, there will only be two good series in the east. Cavs/Boston in round 2 and then the winner playing the Pistons in the ECF. However, I will say this; with all the hype and melee around the Western conference it's important to remember that Boston and Detroit are just as good as any Western conference contender, and for all the pu’pu’ing that the east takes, the NBA champ could easily come out of that conference.

Erick Blasco: None of them. Boston is clearly the class of the East and Detroit is second. Orlando is much better than Washington and Cleveland shouldn't be fazed by Toronto in the first round. If Philadelphia captures a six seed, they have a chance to knock Orlando out in the first round, but that's the only surprise with a reasonable chance of coming to fruition.

Joe Willett: Look out for the Raptors to surprise a lot of people come playoff time. They are barely over .500, but they have Chris Bosh dominating the inside, and Jamario Moon is surprising everybody after not even getting drafted. Andrea Bargnani is scoring in double digits but needs some help when it comes to rebounding, but in the East, anything is possible.

The Rockets went undefeated in February and half of March. What will be their record in the playoffs in April and May?

Andrew Kneeland: As I said before, I don't expect "the streak" to continue much farther. Don't get me wrong, I have absolute and total respect for their team, their players, and their coach for pulling off such a feat. I expect the Rockets to receive the number two seed in the West, and I also expect them to get into the second or even their conference finals. I do not expect, however, to see Houston in the NBA Finals, as they just don't have the depth and experience needed for the Big Game. Were Yao to play again this season however, I reserve the right to change my answer.

Chad Ridgeway: There has never been, and there never will be, a pro team that wins 22 games in a row yet is still so divisive among fans and analysts alike. Any other playoff team in either conference on such a streak would immediately be considered the favorite to win it all, but since Houston is doing this without their best player they are the most enigmatic team in the playoffs. They are playing like a team of destiny but reality will catch up. They fall to the #7 seed in the playoffs and get outted in 6 games.

Erick Blasco: This depends on a number of factors, including Houston's first round matchup, their health, and whether or not they can reach a higher level when an opponent matches their intensity. With Yao out, the Rockets are woefully undersized to combat the Western Conference's length, and they don't have the post presence to generate open shots by overpowering single teams and forcing double-teams. Also, Tracy McGrady has never had the mindset to initiate contact and finish plays; a trait all other superstars have.

Still, the Rockets play hard and smart every night and never beat themselves. Any postseason team that doesn't bring playoff-level intensity will be smothered in the playoffs.

Joe Willett: As I mentioned earlier, the Rockets are going to be a force come playoff time. They have Dikembe Mutombo blocking shots like a madman inside, and Tracy McGrady has been a beast and can score at will. They don't really have any weaknesses because everybody plays their role perfectly on this team. I would be scared to see what they would be like if Yao hadn't gone down with an injury. The Rockets will probably make it to the Western Conference Finals, and they could take the whole prize, but I don't like how they match up with the Lakers.

Want to ask a question for next week’s NBA Rapidfire Report? Interested in being on the panel? Email Chad Ridgeway at chadnisha@gmail.com

NBA Rapidfire Report: Good Celts, Bad Mavs, and Successful Shaq

Chad Ridgeway — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:39:49 -0400

The 2007-08 NBA season is buzzing with subplots and marquee matchups.

With so much intrigue I rounded up a group of NBA fans to drop in their two cents on the topics of the day. Make sure to look for more Rapid Reports coming every week, each time with new questions and fresh writers, and please chime in with your own comments!

How good do the Celtics look, beating the Spurs in San Antonio and then snapping the Rocket's 22-game winning streak in Houston the next night?

Chad Ridgeway: The Celtics look great. They can defeat anyone, not just by virtue of their three All-Stars, but with superb team defense. They are about to leave their stamp on Texas when they kick the Maverick’s butt tomorrow night in Dallas.

Monk: They have added some very valuable depth… PJ and Sam were huge. They had a paper record and no shot at making noise (as contenders for a title) without those pickups. Both guys are post season performers and neither are uncomfortable in the spot light.

Ptownsblazin: The Celtics look good, very good actually. They have played well against the western conference this season and own the best record in the entire league. So far the team has maintained reasonable health and will be the first team to lock up homecourt advantage through out there conference.

Reddog: The Celtics look good and will likely face Detroit in the ECF in a matchup that could go either way, with the ECF winner having just as good a shot at the title as the WCF winner—Boston and Detroit stack up against any team in the west. Both must avoid a let down in their second series against Orlando and Cleveland but both should be in the ECF.

How bad do the Mavericks look, completely undefeated against losing teams (9-0) and completely defeated against teams with winning records (0-6) since the Kidd trade?

Chad Ridgeway: Pretty bad. Kidd was brought in to help the Mavs beat the good teams and it’s just not happening. David Thorpe, an ESPN analyst who I think is generally spot on, said that the Nuggets have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Mavericks.

Monk: Who cares? They are a very nice team and one I could only hope that in five years the Knicks are close to that good... but they are not important in the title scheme and adding a horrible shooting ball genius isn't getting them over the hump.

Ptownsblazin: So far they look pretty blah. Sorry if it is an odd choice of words but they really look hapless against the better teams in the west. I think the Mavs are hoping it is just the getting accustom to each other process still going but I think there are reasons to doubt that. A team labeled as soft is appearing to be just that soft and they just traded away there best bigman (Diop). No offense to Dirk because he is a SF stuck in a 7 footers body so I don't consider him a true bigman.

Reddog: They are in the middle of the wild west where anything can happen once the playoffs begin (like what happened to the Mavs last year) so I wouldn't count anyone, including them, out of it just yet.

Andrew Bynum won't be back until the first round of the NBA playoffs. Does this sink the Lakers chances to win a championship this year?

Chad Ridgeway: Yes, it sinks their chances. Bringing in Pau was great, but what excited Lakers fan was the prospect of him and Bynum dominating side by side. Bynum is the lone enforcer, the one big body who can bang with physical players, and the only defender who can prevent the Lakers from being shredded inside the paint. However, the Lakers should be primed for an exceptionally strong run next season.

Monk: Hurts. They were the type of team that would have used a trip to the WCF as a stepping stone. I didn't see them getting to the dance and winning and I still don’t. Now they have something to fall back on if they lose early, which is a nice thing from a coaching perspective.

Ptownsblazin: Sink them, no. Hurt them, yes. I think Bynum and Gasol could be nice compliment to each other but trying to acclimate to each other in the playoffs is a risky venture. I think right now the Lakers are more worried about Gasol getting back on the court and giving Kobe another consistent scoring option (Odom just isn't a number two option in my opinion) because they have obviously missed his presence the last couple games.

Reddog: Doesn't sink their chances at all—in fact, all this rest may help him as this is his first full season with starter minutes. He should be well rested—just needs some practice time with Gasol to figure out their roles.

Shaq had 16 points and 15 boards last night to help Phoenix to their fifth straight win. Is the Shaq experiment a success?

Chad Ridgeway: I was extremely skeptical at first and am still on the fence. Shaq brings a lot to the table but the Suns also give a lot by playing him. In the playoffs the other teams will be able to capitalize on the Suns shortcomings.

Monk: It was going to be a success anyway. People who waited three weeks to define this were fools. I said it the day it happened, if they wanted to take a step forward now this was necessary. Yes, this helps. Does it win it all for them? Maybe not. Does it make them a match up problem for the Spurs? Yes.

Ptownsblazin: I still think weighing this move won't be possible until the season has concluded. So far the experiment is improving for the overall outlook but the effect Shaq has in the playoffs will be the ultimate measuring stick. Anything less than a Finals appearance could be viewed as a disappointment.

Reddog: Success or failure will only be measured in the playoffs—Amare has been the biggest beneficiary of this deal and could be the Western Conference playoff MVP.

Want to ask a question for the “NBA Rapidfire Report”? Interested in being on the panel? Email Chad Ridgeway at chadnisha@gmail.com

Picking the NBA MVP is Easy and Unfair

Chad Ridgeway — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:38:36 -0400

The "MVP! MVP!" chants are loud and common. At various arenas peppered throughout the country, tens of thousands of fans are invested in the closest, most intriguing MVP race of this generation.

The headline of this MVP race is Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, the two best basketball players in the world putting on dominating performances in opposite conferences. The resurgence of the hallowed-Celtics made Kevin Garnett the early season favorite.

Chris Paul has commanded the embryonic Hornets to a top spot in the toughest West ever. Tracy McGrady has thrust himself into the conversation by virtue of his team's historic 22 game winning streak.

The debate is heated, with opinions from all viewpoints boiling over on thousands of sports websites and TV shows. The debate, however, is a mute point. Looking at history it's easy to see what the NBA regular season MVP award has become and what it is not.

The NBA MVP award is not an "Outstanding Individual Performance" award. It's not an Oscar for the "Best Actor in a Lead Role." The NBA MVP award requirement is simple; it goes to the best player on the best team, assuming that player is having a career year. Let's look at the MVP award winners from the past 25 years:

Year	Player	Wins	Winner of their...
2007	Dirk Nowitzki	67	Conference
2006	Steve Nash	54	Division
2005	Steve Nash	62	Conference
2004	Kevin Garnett	58	Conference
2003	Tim Duncan	60	Conference
2002	Tim Duncan	58	Division
2001	Allen Iverson	56	Conference
2000	Shaquille O'Neal	67	Conference
1999	Karl Malone	61	Conference
1998	Michael Jordan	62	Conference
1997	Karl Malone	64	Conference
1996	Michael Jordan	72	Conference
1995	David Robinson	62	Conference
1994	Hakeem Olajuwon	58	Division
1993	Charles Barkley	62	Conference
1992	Michael Jordan	67	Conference
1991	Michael Jordan	61	Conference
1990	Magic Johnson	63	Conference
1989	Magic Johnson	57	Conference
1988	Michael Jordan	50	none
1987	Magic Johnson	65	Conference
1986	Larry Bird	67	Conference
1985	Larry Bird	63	Conference
1984	Larry Bird	62	Conference
1983	Moses Malone	65	Conference

To win the MVP your team must almost always win the conference, but at least your division, and your team must win a ton of games. Generally in the high 50's, often times in the 60's.

In fact, the MVP's team over the last 25 years has averaged 62 wins on the season. The lone exception was Michael Jordan in 1988 who didn't win his conference or division, but still had an outstanding year and won 50 games.

Per those requirements, it's easy to see who be this season's NBA MVP:

Tracy McGrady: The Rockets' streak is mind blowing and possibly the longest win streak you or I will see in our lifetimes. Their inspiring teamwork has them in a stratosphere occupied only by the Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West led Lakers of 1972. Coach Rick Adelman should get serious Coach of the Year consideration and the Rockets deserve the "Best Teamwork" award, but T-Mac is actually having his quietest individual season since his Toronto days.

Bottom line: Great team record, not having a career year.

Kevin Garnett: Individual stats don't tell the whole story. Kevin Garnett's presence has transformed the Boston Celtic's like night to day. You could take a before and after picture of the Celtics that would be as stunning as any change on The Biggest Loser. In this case, Danny Ainge and the fans in Boston are the biggest winners, landing the Big Ticket and resurrecting the most storied franchise in basketball. However, he has elevated his team so high that for the first time in his career he doesn't have to do it all and that, ironically, is why he won't win MVP.

Bottom line: MVP-type team record, not having a career year.

LeBron James: He won't win it for the same reason Kobe couldn't win it the last two years; he is willing his undermanned team to victory with dominating performances night in and night out, but unfortunately his team's record isn't good enough. With his team sitting seven games behind Orlando (and 11 games behind the division leading Pistons) the Cavs will end up as the fourth seed in a watered down east. And they would have to go 12-2 in their final 14 games just to reach 50 wins, yet the Cavs as a team don't even have a positive point differential.

LeBron is having the most impressive individual season in the NBA and should own the league for the next 12 years. Michael Jordan won six championships and five MVPs. I have no doubt that LeBron will do that same when all is said and done, with an even bigger marketing campaign.

Bottom line: MVP-type individual season, but the team record is not good enough.

Chris Paul: The Hornets are one of the biggest, most pleasant, surprises of the season. Chris Paul may be the most dynamic, effective player in the NBA. That may sound crazy, but have you seen him play? He absolutely controls the game with his masterful command of the ball, going where he wants and doing whatever he wants when he wants. And he has played better as the season has gone on, averaging 18 and 10 on 48% shooting (38% three-pointers) in November to 26 and 14 on 59% shooting (48% three-pointers) this month.

Playing the starting point guard on Team USA after his rookie year (to the high praise of his teammates) was just the beginning. The Hornets are for real. They're legit. They own a great home record, a great road record, and a great conference record. Oft times young players are likened to NBA legends prematurely and without merit, but in Paul's case, "Little Isiah" is right on the money.

Bottom line: Great team record, having a career year, deserving of MVP.

Kobe Bryant: Accepted as the best all around player in the game on both ends of the court, Kobe has been the NBA's best individual performer the last two seasons. Without going into theatrics about Kobe's career, super stardom, dark years, or the Lakers speedy rebuilding back to contention, I will cap this segment by reminding you that the MVP is not a fair award.

Although it is meant to celebrate a single individual season, Kobe's career accomplishments will factor in. There is a large contingent of fans who believe he should have won the award at least once in the past two years but, even more so, there's a universal sentiment that the best player in the game needs to win the game's highest individual honor, at least once.

Bottom line: Great team record, great individual season, deserving of MVP.

Following the established pattern, the 2008 NBA MVP award will come down to Kobe or Chris Paul, and whoever ends up with the No. 1 seed in the West is deserving of that honor. However, Kobe gets the edge due to career and sentimental reasons.

How the Gasol trade saved the Lakers' season

Chad Ridgeway — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:26:15 -0500

Last season, the Lakers got off to a surprisingly hot start, going 26-13 to establish themselves as a top four team in the West and darkhorse championship contender.

Then the wheels fell off.

Half the roster went down with lengthy injuries and the Lakers scraped their way into the playoffs, a beat up vehicle that was quickly beatdown by the superior Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers, mired in a dreary rebuilding project, had regressed. Kobe was booed. Mitch Kupchak was hated. Phil Jackson wasn't signing an extension. The franchise was on the verge of trading away it's last remaining remaining superstar.

Fast forward.

The Lakers are sitting atop the most stacked Western Conference in the history of the NBA. At 43-18 they have their best record since 2002, their last championship year. They are the favorites, in a conference loaded with nine teams winning more than 60% of their games, to win the championship.

The New Look Lakers are deeper than the Spurs and Mavs, have a better starting five than Detroit and Phoenix, a better big three than Boston, and the league's best player and best coach.

Injuries have slammed the Lakers once again, but the same doom that destroyed the team last season was quickly vanquished when Mitch Kupchak stole Pau Gasol from the salary cap shedding Grizzlies. Andrew Bynum is out and Kobe's pinky is hanging on by a tendon that doesn't exist anymore, but the Lakers are playing with a dominating team effort behind their new big man who runs the offense on the interior as efficiently as Bryant does on the perimeter.

Kobe has refused the recommended surgery, sensing that this team has a very real possibility of winning the championship right now. He'll gladly wear his fourth championship ring on his thumb this summer while his pinky recovers.

Gasol is a dream fit in the Phil Jackson's triangle. An intelligent big man who can catch, pass, and shoot. Pau is the anti-Kwame Brown. He fit's in flawlessly with the rest of the Lakers front line, leaving room for Andrew Bynum to operate in the paint by playing skillfully on the elbows. Odom handles the ball like a guard and will play on the perimeter. The biggest front line in the history of the NBA, with Bynum at 7-1, Gasol at 7-0, and Odom at 6-11, is also a meticulous blend of big man with complimentary skill sets.

Last year in February the Lakers went 5-7 and started March with a 7 game losing streak. This February they went 13-2, including a 10 game winning streak. So good, in fact, that after the Clippers were trumped by the Lakers, Coach Mike Dunleavy conceded if "you look at their schedule, you don't see them losing any more games." The next night the Lakers blew out the Sonics, and coach P.J. Carlisemo agreed; "It looks like this team's not gonna to lose a game the rest of the year."

Most important, the Gasol trade re-instilled faith. Kobe's faith in his teammates, in management, and even in deity, jubilantly proclaiming "There is a God! There is a God!" after Pau's first game with the Lakers, a 24 point (10-15 shooting), 12 rebound, 4 assist sign of things to come.

The Pau heist wasn't the first great move that Kupchak has made. He's drafted smartly from the late first round and second round, bringing in Vujacic, Turiaf, Farmar, and Walton. His one move that didn't stick (Brian Cook) was turned into Trevor Ariza, an athletic defender/slasher that we've been craving off the bench.

And the best move of all was not submitting to his superstar, or the majority of fans, or a knee-jerk reaction, and keeping Andrew Bynum, who is the future of the franchise and the franchise center for the next 15 years.

The city of Los Angeles cried when Shaq was traded for spare parts, but those parts have become Lamar Odom, Gasol (Caron Butler became Kwame Brown who became Pau), Farmar (draft pick from the trade) and Bynum (the Laker's lottery pick from their stinky post-Shaq season).

Dr. Buss made the correct decision. Yes, Shaq won a championship for Miami, but now we have a deep, solid, young team instead of a cap killing 36 year old $20 million role player.

Kobe will most likely be the league MVP this season. His team is on the inside track to the Finals where he'll be the Finals MVP. And he can do it several times over the next five years.

Yes Kobe, there is a wise, all-seeing man, taking care over you. His name is Mitch Kupchak, and he deserves your thanks for saving the Lakers season and giving you the opportunity to align yourself with the brightest stars in NBA history.