Why Kobe Bryant Is a Sleeper Candidate for the NBA MVP Award

If basketball fans were ready to write off Kobe Bryant as being “too old,” they have probably changed their stance a little bit after Kobe’s brilliant performance last night against the Phoenix Suns. Kobe scored 48 points, his highest scoring game since 2009, to go along with five rebounds and three steals, as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns for their third-straight victory.

After the first 12 games of the season, Bryant is averaging 29 points, good enough for second in the league, and nearly six assists a game. Given Kobe is doing all of this with a torn wrist ligament, it’s arguably the most impressive stretch of basketball he's played in his career.

Thanks to his great start to the season, it’s not completely crazy to think Kobe could win his second career MVP award this year. I know, I know, the season is not even a month old, his wrist injury is bound to catch up with him and he is averaging more minutes to start this season (36) than he did all of last season (33). And all of these issues are legitimate arguments as to why we should see an eventual decline in Kobe’s numbers and he will be out of the MVP conversation by the All-Star Game.

Also, while I believe the Lakers are certainly capable of getting one of the top-three seeds in the Western Conference this season. However, the No. 1 seed is certainly a tall order, especially with the Oklahoma City Thunder looking like the best in the west to start the season. Claiming the West's top spot may be the biggest obstacle standing in Kobe’s way of winning another MVP this spring, assuming of course that he continues his hot start to the season.

After all, 24 of the last 30 MVPs have led their team to at least the best record in their respective conference, if not the best record in the league. The only exceptions are: Steve Nash in 2006, Tim Duncan in 2002, Karl Malone in 1999, Hakeem Olajuwon in 1994, Michael Jordan in 1988 and Moses Malone in 1982.  

But this is no ordinary season. This is the elusive 66-game season of 2011-12, where teams are playing back-to-back-to-back games, five games in seven nights and are struggling to find cohesion with one another while getting back into optimal conditioning. In short, we should all expect the unexpected.

Given the uniqueness of the season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kobe, assuming once again he keeps up his impressive numbers, became the seventh MVP out of the last 31 to win the award without leading his team to a No. 1 overall seed.

Also, Kobe could have history on his side. One the aforementioned players, Karl Malone, won his MVP during a lockout shortened season, without leading the Utah Jazz to a top seed in the conference or leading the league in scoring.

I am not saying the Lakers can go 36-30 and claim the sixth seed and Kobe would still get MVP. But if the Lakers can muster a top-three seed, why not?

It’s still very early, and as I mentioned above, there are plenty of reasons to think Kobe won’t continue at his current pace. Also, there two great players in Miami and one in both Oklahoma City and Chicago who will be standing in Kobe’s way.

Given the truncated schedule, we will likely see things we wouldn’t have during a regular 82-game season. Teams we didn’t think much about during the offseason could end up being a contender (I am looking at you Philadelphia). Typical powerhouses we assume would always be at the top of the standings could struggle to claim a top playoff seed (Dallas and Boston). And maybe, a superstar many had written off prior to the season could have a resurgent season and surprise everyone by claiming his second MVP award.