If Dwight Howard Deserves a MVP Award, so Does Chris Bosh

I've been hearing all this talk about Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and LeBron James for MVP so much so that I've gotten sick of it and have decided to view the alternatives. Recently, it has come to my attention that Dwight Howard's name has been thrown in the mix for the award.

I'm here to present a candidate who is just as good, if not better than, Dwight. That player is Chris Bosh.

Bosh, who is among the few left-handers in the game, has been the unquestioned leader of the Toronto Raptors, a team that does not receive any national attention.

Chris has been one of the most dominant forwards in the Eastern Conference and the NBA, averaging 22.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 1 BPG. The most versatile big man in the NBA, Chris is shooting over 34 percent from downtown. He is also one of the few in the game to sport dreadlocks.

Chris has made three straight All-Star appearances from 2005 to the present. He's 10th in the league in points per game, free throws, and free throw attempts. Upset wins over Boston, New Orleans, and Houston certainly make him look good in the eyes of the voters.

Dwight Howard has also been a monster down in Orlando, leading the NBA in dunks, rebounds, and other top categories. Howard averages 21 PPG, 14.4 RPG, and 2.2 BPG. He's helped the Magic clinch the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Dwight has made consecutive All-Star appearances from 2007 to the present. Almost unguardable at times, Dwight has led his team to wins over the Celtics, Rockets, Lakers, Hornets, and Pistons. That shows Howard is the real deal.

So far I say they're about even. Now let's compare stats.

What does Dwight have over Bosh?

Superman has the edge in rebounds, field goal percentage and blocks, while CB4 has the advantage in points, assists, free throw percentage and three-point percentage.

The most important stat between the two is free-throw shooting. Chris Bosh shoots an outstanding 84.6 percent from the line, which is almost unheard of by a player 6-foot-10 or taller.

However, Dwight Howard shoots a sputtering 59 percent from the charity stripe. Just awful. Several people will complain that Howard shoots poorly because he is a center.

Having that title is no excuse to shoot a worse percentage than Alonzo Mourning. Height has nothing to do with it either, as Chris Bosh is 6-10 and Dwight Howard is 6-11.

The Raptors and the Magic have played three games this season and they went like this:

Orlando 105-96 Toronto

Howard 17 points 15 rebounds

Bosh 26 points 10 rebounds 

Toronto 127-110 Orlando

Bosh 40 points 5 rebounds

Howard 37 points 15 rebounds

Orlando 102-87 Toronto

Howard 19 points 14 rebounds 

Bosh was injured and did not play

Needless to say, this matchup was nothing if not entertaining.

I would give the award to Chris Bosh, simply because he has been the most important to his team all season, and because he has continued to work, even though he is not recognized by many in the NBA. Bosh is the better player in my opinion.