Kevin Durant Is Becoming A Great Player But A League MVP......NOT YET!

What is the position you take when you think of MVP: Scoring champion? Top 5 statistically? Or how about overall wins? I think all of these factors come into play plus a few unmentioned but today's league MVP balloting is more of a popularity contest.

Whatever your guidelines are for selecting an MVP you must consider leadership and the ability to have a unit rise to another level when you are part of it and become vulnerable when you're out. The MVP is one that opponents dread seeing and opposing coaches throw up there hands at. They may not be the scoring champion or 1st in the other categories but they are usually top 10. More importantly the will to win. MVP must be able to will his/her team to victory and not by just scoring points.

Kevin Durant is a heck of a player. He is a nightmare-ish matchup for 95% of the league. He can score points with the best of them as he displayed last year with becoming the youngest NBA scoring champion in history. His team, OKC Thunder, is young, vibrant and is up and coming with a very strong core of skilled players. Kevin Durant will one day be the league MVP as leading the USA team to FIBA gold helped his cause but their are a few front runners:  1) Kobe Bryant  2) LeBron James  3) Dwayne Wade 4) Kevin Durant 5) Dwight Howard.

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, the true air apparent, is by all means the most feared assassin in the league. Through preparation, skill level, league championships and raising level of team play, he has single handedly put doubt in the minds of opponents and fans..especially if it goes down to the wire. Kobe fears no one and his arrogance (and rape case) keeps him from being America's sweetheart...but guaranteed you won't bet against him.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat, the reigning two-time league MVP and previously most popular player, will ironically lose out this year no matter what he does because of his exit from Cleveland. His one hour summer special, "The Decision", gained ratings and added funds to the Boy's and Girls Club but stole life from what was being "WITNESSED" because many felt betrayed - either because of the long wait or the fact that he defected to a team other than what the fan expected. He went from the chosen one to public enemy number 1 over the summer. LeBron most certainly will fill a stat sheet but has failed to rise up on the BIG stage and will his team to victory.

Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat, NBA champion and the real orchestrator of MIAMI THRICE, is a fearless competitor who has the will to compete and win but, like everyone else, has to go through Mr. Bryant to get back to Mount Everest. Dwayne truly is exciting and worth the price of admission and what he lacks in size is truly made up athletically. Barring injury, D-Wade will wear another ring soon but MVP chances are diminished greatly now that he plays with James and Bosh.

Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic should actually be moved to number three on this list because of what he brings to the table. He is the league leader in rebounding and block shots and controls the paint like an armed guard. When he is able to remain on the floor, his presence looms large for his team because of his ability to erase the defensive mistakes of others. He scores at an 18pt per game clip but has not shown offensive improvement from year to year. Because of poor free throw shooting, he is a liability to toss the ball to in the post at crucial parts of the game.

Overall, these elite NBA players should be considered an MVP candidate. Each possess special skillsets and add immeasurable value to their respective teams, but the league MVP is something different. It is a whole different category and I think the players should have a voice in this award. But like the unusual pairings you get when all-star games are comprised, the NBA is FAN-tastic and popularity usually laughs last.

Ilee Coleman - SofaHoops.net

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