Quick Thoughts on the Dubs and the MVP Debate

There may not be a more fun losing team than the Golden State Warriors.  The Dubs have lost with more flare than any other team in the league.  Any time they suit up, you could be witness to a 120-point onslaught that will inevitably be countered with their opponent’s 125.  It’s almost as if Don Nelson hates defense. 

Maybe defense murdered his father or picked on him at school because he has basically thrown his middle finger up to “D” for the past three years in Golden State.  Or it’s also possible he is just so in love with offense that he doesn’t care about hurting defense’s feelings.  Either way, I know that I’m going to be treated to some Run-TMC era scoring when the 08-09 Warriors take the court.  Wins and defense be damned!

Speaking of the Dubs, how happy is Jamal Crawford right now?  He had to feel disheartened at first.  Getting traded away from D’Antoni’s system is like your really fun, cute girlfriend breaking up with you.  Only this is like your ex-girlfriend saying that you should still be having fun and seeing other people so she gives you the number to her younger, hotter sister who is more “adventurous” and crazy. 

You know it isn’t going to lead to anything serious and your ex was marrying material.  You also still feel a little betrayed, but you won’t complain with all the fun you’ll be having for the next few years.  Basically what I’m trying to say is Crawford is playing for the Knicks’ younger sister.

How has NBATV not turned this Stephon Marbury situation into a reality show?  They could have representatives from all 30 teams compete to be eliminated.  The GMs would have to do challenges like putting together sign-and-trades or setting up draft kits.  If you do well, you get to back to work for your team.  If you lose challenges, you have to stay. 

The worst/last GM standing would have to take Marbury onto his roster.  That would be great original programming.  Plus MTV or VH1 could parlay it into their own program where they follow Marbury and film him living his life in his new city.  If this ever happens, let me apologize in advance to the city of Minneapolis and T-Wolves fans for getting Marbury back.

I normally wouldn’t call out one of the other Senior Writers on Talkhoops, but I have to openly question Phillip Barnett’s MVP list after the first month.  He has the front-runner correct because LeBron James is running away with it. 

James is putting up absurd stats and his team has the third best record in the entire league.  Getting the winner is the most important thing, so I don’t have too much against his top choice.  After that he couldn’t be more wrong.

Kobe Bryant has been the best SG and probably the best player of the past 10 years.  I’m impressed with how well the Lakers have played, but Kobe Bryant isn’t second in the MVP race right now.  The only reason he is being mentioned is his name recognition and the Lakers record. 

The Lakers have been the model of “team oriented.”  I think he deserves to be in the conversation because he is the best player on the best team.  If we just gave the award to the best player on the best team, why didn’t Garnett win it last year?  The answer: it was an ensemble act just like the Lakers are an ensemble this season.  He’ll be in the top five when it is all said and done, but there are other players that are more valuable right now.

Dwayne Wade should be in the same breath as LeBron with the season he is having.  He is leading the Heat to wins in spite of how bad they are.  He leads the world in scoring and has an NBA Live stat line (i.e. unrealistic).  There isn’t a player doing more with less than Wade, and there are only a few that are even close. 

The fact that they are the seventh seed right now has everything to do with Wade.  Not only that, but we should reward players that play both sides of the ball.  Wade is not only a dominant player on offense, but he can defend any opponent’s best perimeter player.  Plus there may not be a single SG in the league that can step in and replace his production on that roster.

My other candidates (besides Kobe) are as follows: Chris Paul should be in the running.  Talk about the Hornets barely being above .500 all you want, Paul has been dominant, and this team would be 6 or 7 games under .500 without him.  He is playing point guard as well if not better than Nash and Isiah Thomas in their primes and doing it surrounded by guys having anti-career years. 

Tim Duncan would be next in my voting.  He doesn’t get the attention because he is so mild mannered, but he has overcome injuries to two All-Stars and still has the Spurs winning games.  He also leads the Spurs in points, rebounds, blocks, minutes played, and he has as many assists per game as their interim PG George Hill. 

Finally Devin Harris should round out the MVP voting.  If you had told me before the season that the Nets would be above .500 and realistically in the hunt for the playoffs, I would have called you a liar and sent a mass email to all your friends proclaiming how dumb you were.  Harris is averaging 25.3 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.3 steals.  He also is second in the league with 11.9 FT attempts per game.  This may sound like an insignificant stat, but he is putting opponents in foul trouble and getting his team into the penalty.

He is also shooting 82% from the line, so he isn’t a liability like Dwight Howard.  The Nets are 5-2 when he leads the team in scoring.  They are 0-3 without Harris with a -12.8 point differential per 100 possessions when he is off the floor.  Point guards that take lottery teams to the playoffs should be in the MVP hunt.

Don’t agree with my opinions or want to tell me how off I am at all times then send an email to [e-mail], and I’ll tell you just how right I am.

Remember a little good knowledge can go a long way.