NBA Finals 2010: Making a Case for Ron Artest To Be the Finals' MVP

There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Kobe Bryant was the best player of the finals for the Lakers.

There is also no doubt he's been the best player in the league since Michael Jordan hung up his sneakers.

However, in last night's Game Seven of the NBA Finals, the best player on the court was Ron Artest.

Kobe had an absolute terrible game with two green jerseys surrounding him when ever he touched the ball.  Since Shaq left, the Lakers usually go the way of Kobe's performance.  When he's on they win, when he's off they flounder.

Not last night though. 

Ron Artest wouldn't allow it.

I know a series MVP is suppose to recognize the best player of an entire series and not just one game, but I've always felt when a series reaches a game seven, especially a game seven as tight as this one, the previous six games need to be thrown out the window.

Last night felt less like the NBA Finals and more like the Super Bowl or the NCAA Championship.  It was one game to decide the champ.

And in that game—where Kobe Bryant couldn't buy a basket, even when he had good looks—Ron Artest threw the team on his back and took them to the repeat.

For his performance alone in the final game, I think he deserves the MVP honors.  Because without Artest last night, that would have been a blow out.