Mind Dumping: NBA Thoughts and Observations Feb. 3, 2009

Ever just wanted to take just a piece of paper and write down things that are going through you mind? That is if simply don't feel like talking about it verbally.

Well today I have that feeling, only there won't be a need for a pad and pencil. A lot of craziness has gone down in the NBA the past two weeks, from star players being injured to teams such as the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trailblazers going streaking.

So with that said, here are a few things that have going through the head of Michael Whittenberg the past few days.

Familiar Scene: Bynum goes down against Memphis, again

Just when Lakers' center Andrew Bynum was beginning to become Whittenberg's favorite center currently in the league, he goes down with an MCL injury that will have him sidelined for a while. And ironically, it happened against the Memphis Grizzlies just like last season when he went down.

For a minute, it looked liked Nets' point guard Devin Harris was the runaway winner for Most Improved Player. But after an impressive month in Jan. that included a 42-point effort against that other L.A. team, Bynum became the front runner in Whittenberg's eyes.

Now that he could miss up to three months at the most, the Lakers are in the same boat they were last season. Though the Lakers managed to reach the Finals without Bynum last season due to their season-saving acquisition of Pau Gasol, it might be  tougher this time around if Bynum somehow doesn't return to the lineup.

With Bynum, however, the Lakers are the clear cut favorites to not only win the West, but an NBA championship, too.

So what now?

My good friend Andrew Ungvari wrote an column titled "Big Men Wanted: Five Possible replacements for Andrew Bynum", and after reading it, solution No. 3 sounds the best. See for yourself here.

But more than likely, the Lakers probably won't make any big time moves this.

Garden Games: Comparing Kobe's 61 to MJ's 55 

On March 29, 1995, Michael Jordan scored 55 points at Madison Square Garden in just his fifth game back from retirement. And on Feb. 2, 2009, Kobe Bryant scored 61 points, which is now the most points ever scored by a player in Madison Square Garden.

But which performance was better?

Kobe Bryant now holds the record for most points scored in Madison Sqaure Garden. Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images

It's really not even close--MJ's performance blows Kobe's out of the water for one reason: the competition.

Jordan's 55 came against a New York team that finished the season 55-27, and was also a defensive-minded team coached by Pat Riley and led by Patrick Ewing. To where Kobe's came against a New York team that is struggling to play .500 basketball, and is a Mike D'Antoni coached squad that virtually plays no defense.

I've been criticized many times today for picking MJ over Kobe. "61 points is 61 points, it's a great thing no matter who he's going against" is what someone told me earlier. "Doesn't matter if was against the Knicks, it's not like he was playing a high school team out there".

Very true, but in the end competition plays a factor.

Sorry, Kobe. But move over, MJ, Kobe is the new king of the Garden.

The No. 1, No. 1: Who is the best point guard in the Eastern Conference?

It's a race of five guys: Jameer Nelson, Rajon Rando, Devin Harris, Mo Williams, and rookie Derrick Rose. 

But after thinking long and hard, Harris topped my list of the Eastern Conference's top five floor generals. New Jersey may not be where they want to be right now record wise, but Harris has became the Nets' most indispensable player.

As mentioned above, Harris is probably the leading candidate for Most Improved Player—and with Bynum now out, Harris looks like the runaway winner once again.

Harris is scoring in bunches this season, and had a 47-point outburst against Phoenix in Nov. His assist-to-turnover ratio is also improving.

It's amazing that most of the top point guards in the East are surrounded by some of the league's best superstars (Mo Williams aside LeBron James and Jameer Nelson alongside Dwight Howard just for example). And Harris has Vince Carter, although he isn't the superstar he once was.

If Harris is first, who's second?

It was hard enough deciding on the East's best floor general, and No. 2 was just as difficult. But Nelson gets the No. 2 spot.

Orlando is a legit contender in the East because of the improved play from Nelson this season. Of course they have Dwight Howard in the middle, but Nelson has been far more valuable to his team this season. But his latest injury (torn labrum) will definitely have an affect on Orlando.

Nelson could missed the remainder of the season if he decides to get surgery. But if not, there is no telling when he returns.

Moving on, here is how the top five point guards in the East stack up:

1. Harris

2. Nelson

3. Williams

4. Rondo

5. Rose

Race to MVP: No love for the big men?

For the past month, I've read on numerous of websites that the MVP race is between Kobe, LeBron, and no one else.

Not true at all.

Two more names come to mind in the race for MVP: Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan. Because of their boring play, no one really cares for the Spurs, and that's probably the main reason why Duncan is being overlooked.

Dwight Howard deserves to be right next to LeBron James in the race for MVP. Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images

Despite San Antonio having a 33-14 record, the big fundamental is getting no love what so ever. Yes, his numbers are not as great as his MVP winning seasons in 2002 and 2003, but someone from the second best team in the Western Conference needs deserves recognition. And Duncan is that man.

As for Howard, his numbers (20.6 PPG, 13.9 RPG and 3.0 BPG) are pretty hard to overlook. Especially since it's been almost nine years since a players averaged at least 20, 13 boards and three blocks. Shaquille O'Neal was the last player to do so.

Anyone else loving the way Shaq has played this season?

I'll admit, I was one of those who said Shaq has no more diesel left in the tank. Boy did he prove us wrong. We're not expecting to see the dominating Shaq of old, but what he's doing this season is very acceptable.

O'Neal is averaging nearly 18 points and nine rebounds per game, and will be making his way back to the All-Star game after missing it last season. But is his team for real?

The big Shaq-Marion swap made last season was made particularly to compete with the San Antonio Spurs. With the way Shaq is playing and the addition of Jason Richardson, are the Suns a threat in the playoffs?

Michael Whittenberg is the Co-NBA Community Leader for bleacherreport.com