| Top 5 MVP Candidates for the 2008-2009 Season |
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| Written by Ben Weixlmann | |
| Friday, 22 August 2008 | |
 Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I think he’s going to have a worse year in 2008-2009, but I just don’t see him duplicating the numbers of last season. It’s not Paul, either. I really don’t have a whole of faith in Tyson Chandler as a dominant big man, and Paul and Chandler worked so beautifully together last season. Paul will still get his, because no one in the NBA can stop him from penetrating the lane. What keeps CP3 from winning his first MVP title, in my mind, is his supporting cast. Forward David West was an All-Star last year, but don’t expect an encore performance. West is a good player, but CP3 needs more than “good” around him to out-do the other MVP contenders. Possible stat-line: 19 ppg, 10 apg, 3 rpg 4) Deron Williams After living in Paul’s shadow all last year as the dominant PG in the West, I think this is the season that D-Will finally showcases to the world that he is indeed a better player than Paul. I’ve said it all along, Williams is more impressive than Paul in almost every aspect of the game, except his penetration. Williams and teammate/All-Star Carlos Boozer run the pick-and-roll to near perfection, reminiscent of the days when John Stockton and Karl “Mailman” Malone ruled Salt Lake City basketball. He is infinitely stronger than Paul, and can obviously hold his own, as he has showcased in the Beijing Olympics. In my opinion, not only will Williams out duel Paul when they play this year, but the Utah Jazz will also be better than the New Orleans Hornets. Possible stat-line: 20 ppg, 9 apg, 5 rpg 3) Dwight Howard I know, he has struggled some in the Olympics, relying more on his athleticism than basketball fundamentals, but while that doesn’t work against international competition, it most definitely works in the NBA. Howard is an absolutely beast in the low block area, not to mention that he plays in the weaker Eastern Conference, which still has yet to establish a premier post player outside of Howard. If the regular season weren’t enough to solidify Howard’s place as the best big man in the East, he put on a dazzling show in the playoffs. Howard put together 20 point, 20 rebound contests as simply as he won the Slam Dunk contest. Possible stat-line: 19 ppg, 14 rpg, 3.5 bpg 2) Kobe Bryant There’s some obvious reasons why he won last year’s MVP title. After all, he’s good enough to be called by one name, Kobe. Kobe put on a clinic in the regular season, putting up more than 28 ppg in the regular season, not to be outdone by dropping 30 ppg in the Lakers’ run to the NBA Finals. He is one of the deadliest shooters on the planet, both off the dribble and spotting up. One of the most crucial parts to his game is driving the lane and getting to the free-throw stripe, where is hits over 90% of his attempts. It certainly doesn’t hurt, either, that he has one of the best big men in the NBA in Pau Gasol and helpful swingman Lamar Odom. You can’t question Kobe’s desire to win, and at some points he can score at-will no matter the situation. Look forward to another wonderful season from one of the best guards to ever lace ‘em up. Possible stat-line: 29.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg 1) LeBron James I know it sounds sort of ridiculous that LBJ is No. 1 on this list. After all, his team just doesn’t seem good enough to get him over the hump for an NBA title. By no means am I saying that James will take home an NBA crown this year, because I think that is pretty farfetched. I must say, however, that James is one of top two players in this league, and at the ripe age of 23, he is ready to accept the crown as the league’s MVP. Not only did LBJ lead the league in scoring last year, but he put up some amazingly high assist and rebound averages as well, over seven per game, respectively. Now that point guard Mo Williams can be a penetrator into defenses, James will get more looks at driving to the cup off a kick-out or shooting an open jump shot. Those last two words, jump shot, may keep James from winning the MVP, though. James has never established himself as a good outside shooter, but so far in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he has looked comfortable from the outside given the closer three-point line. LBJ is already the face of the league, but I think this is the year that he puts his name on the exclusive MVP list. Possible stat-line: 31 ppg, 8 rpg, 8 apg         Comments
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written by Phil P , August 22, 2008
David West has steadily improved every season and has been very consistent at that. You make it sound like he pulled last season out of a hat. Paul may need some better pieces to win a title, but not to win MVP. All he needs is one of the top records and with his ability to make players around him better combined with Byron Scott's defensive system, that is a possibility.
Votes: +1
I don't think it's fair to say that Deron Williams is a better player than Paul. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Also keep in mind that Jerry Sloan's system brings the most out of a lot of players. I think that would work against him in an MVP voting. Williams' is bigger and a better shooter. Paul's quicker and a better penetrator. Both are gifted ball handlers, pa*sers and both make others better. After that it's kind of semantics. I think you're right, though. I think Deron Williams will get more notice this season. report abuse
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Response to Phil/I. Angulo
written by Ben Weix , August 22, 2008
I. Angulo- Thanks for agreeing with me, man! I can't wait to see D-Will this year!
Votes: +2
To Phil, You make some very interesting points, but I think Williams is a more gifted player overall. I definitely appreciate you sharing your opinion, though! report abuse
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good article
written by Caelan B , August 28, 2008
i agree with lebron being at the number 1 spot he was better than kobe in points,rebs,a*sists last year but he dident win it because of his teams record the only way lebron is going to bring home this award is if mo williams can produce those a*sists to the big men of big z and sometimes ben if hes under the basket if he does that it will create outside shots for wally szerbiak and pavlolic. and lebron gets a*sists by driveing and dishing to big z
Votes: +0
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written by shovo , September 01, 2008
i think kobe should be #1 he is the best player in the world sure lebron has some amazing stats but he really cant push his team to win a ring
Votes: -1
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MVP 2009
written by Laker Fan , September 06, 2008
I believe Kobe Bean Bryant has too much to prove and still reigns supreme over the youngster's. LeBron is awiiight, but he ain't Kobe. People just don't see the little things Bryant does on the court in crucial situations. The guy is the only one you can mention in the same breath as MJ. Love or hate him it's just a fact. When all was about to slip away in the Olympics who sent the daggers out to Spain's Heart. I believe Kobe did, and I believe the Coach told them who the ball was going to down the stretch. Now that's my example of an MVP. With LeBron, Wade and the other great options on that team, it was quite interesting to me that Kobe again steals the thunder when it counted most, even though he was on the team in more of a support role scorer and primary defender. LeBron will get there, but don't just hand him the league. Let him accomplish something, and I mean win, consistently and play clutch consistently including the Play Offs. It's not Kobe's fault his supporting cast got drug by the Celtics thug Forwards. I think that was due to the absence of Bynum and the soft play of Gasol and Lamar Odom. This should be a great season, especially with Houston getting tougher unless Yao is still hobbled and the stacked West, along with Boston, Detroit and Orlando in the East.
Votes: +2
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d howard mvp
written by afycd , October 14, 2008
SUPERMAN is my #1 pick
Votes: +1
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LEBRON IS 2009 NBA MVP and World Champion Cavaliers
written by LeBron to win NBA 2008 - 2009 MVP , December 29, 2008
Bron Bron, The L Train, just bested D Wade last night! 31 points 9 a*sists 6 rebounds and 1 block 3 steals. Brought his team back from being down in the 4th Quarter and hit the big 3 pointers.
Votes: +1
Bron sounds like the MVP TO ME! LeBron James is 2008 - 2009 NBA MVP! Kobe is not MVP, Wade is Not MVP, Paul is Not MVP. Paul Pierce is not MVP (although he should be considered) Kevin Garnet is not the MBA MVP (although he should be considered) ITS LEBRON 4 MVP! All this at only 23 years old his team is 16-0 at home. He shows an unbelievable level of maturity for a 23 year old and LeBron's business acumen is off the charts. As far as LeBron to New York, Lebron is going to go where he can win, so if the Cavs stay winning, LeBron stays, he wants to run with the winners, considering he is one. We promote LeBron 4 MVP because LeBron exemplifies teamwork something some of the so called superstars have forgotten about. LeBron exemplifies, "The Franchise" player. He has boosted his franchise to the next level, in a city that has never been so electrified by a sports icon since the Jim Brown era. And when it comes to being surround by talent, LeBron has turned a bunch of journeymen and aging players to a TEAM in every sense of the word! LeBron makes players step their game up and it's been the chemistry LeBron brings to the table and the synchronicity everyone is playing with coupled with the ability for everyone around him to believe in their own ability to perform at their peak LeBron gives his team mates a boost that makes his team work! Thats what an MVP is all about. (TEAM WORK, ADDED VALUE TO YOUR FRANCHISE, SEASON PLAY AND PERFORMANCE, ADDED VALUE TO THE LEAGUE, WINNING!) http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/36789054.html LEBRON=MVP report abuse
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In my opinion he is shadowed by CP3 because he is not as spectacular as him.