The Insanely Early MVP Race
For reasons I have yet to completely understand, sportswriters love to pontificate on who the regular season MVP is going to be. They do this regardless of how many games are remaining in said season.
For what it’s worth, the overwhelming favorites seem to be Kevin Garnett and Chris Paul, with KG holding a slight lead in the “race”.
It’s the same number of voters who believe New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, who just became an All-Star for the first time, is the MVP of the moment. That tied him for second with James in the poll, ahead of Bryant, who got three votes.
New Boston Celtics arrival Kevin Garnett is the leader right now, getting 63 percent of the vote.
This is so ridiculous, that I don’t even know where to begin.
Not only is the season’s most crucial phase just around the corner - you know, the stretch of games where the MVP is supposed to define himself - but even if the season ended today, would KG and CP-3 be the clear-cut favorites? Have they really done that much more than the guy in Ohio and the other in L.A.?
57 Responses to “The Insanely Early MVP Race”
Feb.4 at 1:26 pm
Sesa says:
hmm
Feb.4 at 1:26 pm
Sesa says:
1st
Feb.4 at 1:29 pm
Phil B says:
i say lebron should be mvp. but only if his team can win fifty or so games. i might even take 48.
Feb.4 at 1:30 pm
H to the izzo says:
Eli Manning.
Feb.4 at 1:31 pm
thesubwayconnection says:
I’d agree, Mutoni. But only because this stretch will prove if the first half was for real. Can Boston keep its intensity? Can NO hold the top spot in the West? Are they for real? And how will Kobe fit Pau and Bynum into his team? Will he? Will they win together? Can LeBron throw in more 20 point fourth quarters? Questions need to be answered.
Feb.4 at 1:35 pm
Nguni says:
his time will come…not just yet. CP3 for MVP!!!
Feb.4 at 1:37 pm
Nguni says:
although i must confess KG is my fav player.
Feb.4 at 1:37 pm
Reggie Evans says:
I know this is SLAM, but can we get a NY Giants thread? Cmon!
Feb.4 at 1:38 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Never mind, found it.
Feb.4 at 1:44 pm
DP says:
I hate Lebron but I can’t doubt the obvious. Lebron will win. play wit it.
Feb.4 at 1:45 pm
Krayzie Bone says:
The focus on the NBA race is a logical piece of marketing by sports sites and the NBA as a business because it is something that is highly (though not totally) subjective, and generates heated discussions, and therefore exposure, for the businesses in questions. To be sure, if no one carred about it, you wouldn’t see much of a discussion, like the +/-award is not going to get anyone interested. There are other factors to consider, but thats my take.
Feb.4 at 1:51 pm
Sesa says:
I know that my comment is biased but if NBA really is about marketing then Kobe and LeBron should be co-MVP. Not just because bussiness-wise but I also think that how the Win and Loss defined by that certain player in LALA and Ohio
Feb.4 at 1:55 pm
Vinny Del Negro says:
MVP Race at the moment:
1) Kobe Bryant
2) Lebron James
3) Nazr Mohammed
4) Von Wafer
5) Chairman Yi
Feb.4 at 1:57 pm
Mike says:
MVP Race at the moment:
1) Kobe Bryant
2) Lebron James
3) Nazr Mohammed
4) Von Wafer
5) Yi Jianlian
Feb.4 at 1:58 pm
Kadavour says:
i see talk on here about giving it to Bron if they can come up with 48 wins. How can you justify that and not giving it to Kobe last year?
Feb.4 at 2:03 pm
Ryne Nelson says:
I completely agree with Mike, well said.
Feb.4 at 2:12 pm
Mike C says:
If the Lakers win over 50 games, which is something that NO ONE expected before the season started, shouldn’t Kobe be the MVP? Or does the Gasol trade hurt his chances, because people are now going to point to the talent level of the team and not look at his individual contributions?
Feb.4 at 2:18 pm
its just alex says:
Yeah, having KG beat out Kobe would be absolutely ridiculous.
Feb.4 at 2:22 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’ve been meaning to write some sort of the a column about the abundance of meaningless “prediction” columns and reports in sports that are often a) totally wrong and b) if a), never have any consequences for the moron that was so sure. I hate sports columnists.
Feb.4 at 2:22 pm
Ryne Nelson says:
From this article, the vote breakdown is like this: 22 votes for Garnett
4 votes for James
4 votes for Paul
3 votes for Bryant If Garnett can get healthy, and the Celtics pick up 60 wins, he should have the award in the bag. This margin is ridiculously telling.
Feb.4 at 2:24 pm
Krayzie Bone says:
Its worth remembering that the lakers were playing better with the emergence of Bynum and the reaquisition of Fisher. Since Bynum has gone down, they have stumbled, so Pau’s presence probably will get them back on track. That said, without Kobe, the team would be garbage, so of course he has to be in the conversation. Clevland is garbage so Lebron has to be out of it. Unless they were nipping at detroits heals, which they are not, he can’t be considered. Paul should be because he is the best player on an overachieving team, and he is responsbile for the success of those around him, much like Nash is (and Kidd is not). Lebron needs someone decent to play with that suits his style. Ilgauskus has the slowest gait in the league, Varejao was more intersted in getting paid than playing, hughes is a volume shooter who needs the ball, and thats it for them. If they could get a solid second player who was happy to play defence, and who could spell the offence when lebron took his 6 minutes of rest, he would be in the discussion. We know he has the shocking athleticism to be the best in the league for a decade, but he doesn’t have the team to allow him to get there. In the playoffs last year, he was the MVP except that he wasn’t good enough to overcome the spurs on his own.
Feb.4 at 2:43 pm
Young C says:
When it comes down to it, they always reward players for the teams record. So considering that, KG and Chris Paul should be the leaders. If the Cavs somehow catch up to Boston and Detroit, he can be considered. It wouldnt be such a disappointment if Paul won it right now seeing as how his team has overachieved and hes putting up some all-time states with the 20,10, 4 rebounds and 3 steals possibility.
Feb.4 at 2:50 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Jay Alford.
Feb.4 at 2:51 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I can’t help but think that the Hornets are going to falter a bit down the stretch.
Feb.4 at 3:25 pm
Jer Boi says:
CP3=MVP
Feb.4 at 3:32 pm
niQ says:
Lebron will probably won’t win MVP until he averages a triple double. That, or puts up some high 60+ wins in a season
Feb.4 at 4:11 pm
hursty says:
gilbert arenas, no. the hornets wont stay at such a hectic pace, the lakers will continue to push while the celtics slow down and still dominate people.
Feb.4 at 4:17 pm
The Notorious King says:
kobe bryant
Feb.4 at 4:18 pm
Myles Brown says:
Im voting for Big L.
Feb.4 at 5:05 pm
DannyW_UK says:
Take KG out the Celtics, and you got a top 5 team in the East. Take Kobe out of the Lake Show, even with Pau, and they’d struggle to make the Playoffs.
Feb.4 at 5:16 pm
tike says:
Ahh LBJ should get it hes playing great but like you said its way to early!!
Feb.4 at 5:38 pm
Galo says:
When is Kobe getting his MVP? Posthumously?
Feb.4 at 6:04 pm
Kevin says:
i would put it as.. CP3, LBJ, KB24 right now.. Nash would be 4th, Boston’s got a great record but I just don’t think Garnett’s done enough on the court to warrant it.. yes he might be responsible for inspiring his teammates to step up, but stilllll i can’t put that past the kinds of numbers the other 4 are putting up..
Feb.4 at 6:09 pm
Justin says:
D12 anyone?
Feb.4 at 6:19 pm
Celts Fan says:
It’s CP3, KG, and THEN Kobe and screw the Giants. lucky win. don’t know how Eli got out of that sack, how Tyree caught that ball, or what the hell happened to our supposedly great coach. well played, but you all know if we play that game 10 times, you’re lucky to win more than 2.
Feb.4 at 6:26 pm
Celts Fan says:
*BUT you won the one that matters and have a ring to show for it. But you still have a QB that had developmental disabilities and couldn’t speak til he was 3. Smart family…
Feb.4 at 6:29 pm
jnr says:
if KB24 and Pau pley well together and put up a 50+ win season then it’ll be hard to not give it to Kobe, unless Lebron takes it from him. As much love as i have for KG he doesn’t deserve it, and i love D12 but he shouldn’t really even be in this disscussion. Is it just me or is there something wrong with the NBA if CP3 at this point in his career gets MVP BEFORE Kobe or Lebron????
Feb.4 at 6:32 pm
Celts Fan says:
It’s not a career award JNR. Kobe and LeBron haven’t had the individual season to win one at the right time yet. CP3 is doing his thing this year, but you’re right, if LAL finishes #1 in the West, I’d give it to Kobe, but I don’t see how you say that “KG doesn’t deserve it.” Do you watch ball or just look at the numbers and see they’re down for him and don’t actually watch games to see his impact, cuz if you actually watch games, while you can argue a few others may deserve it, there’s no way that “KG doesn’t deserve it.” That’s just dumb dude…
Feb.4 at 6:39 pm
MoMONEY says:
1. Kobe
2. CP3
3. Baron Davis
4. Kevin Garnett
Feb.4 at 8:03 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Myles: He DOES have more game than Ron Harper.
Feb.4 at 8:04 pm
jnr says:
Hey Celts Fan, you’re right…KG is the very beating heart and soul of the best (stats-wise)team in the lig. Let me re-phrase my statement; in my opinion KG doesn’t deserve the MVP over Kobe, Lebron, and Paul. If KG (or Paul) wins i’m not mad, but for me it’d be a shame that either Kobe or Lebron didn’t win. But hey it’s not even really half way through the season. i think i’m a bit annoyed at just how much a team’s record influences a player’s MVP chances. It’s a factor- yes but just giving it to the best player on the best team? How KG was only in with an chance at MVP when teamed up with Spree and Cassell. He more than deserved it but had to have a great team/record to prove it to the voters!?! But yeah KG IS deserving, but others in my opinion are more so.
Feb.4 at 8:07 pm
jnr says:
Hope that makes sense, and it doesn’t sound like KG bashing or anything!
Feb.4 at 8:21 pm
orteezy says:
1. B-ROY
2. Travis Outlaw
3. Steve Blake!
Feb.4 at 8:58 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Turkoglu
Feb.4 at 10:35 pm
Dacre says:
technically because Steve Nash’s numbers are better again this year…shouldnt he get the nod?!?!
Feb.4 at 10:44 pm
sjeezy says:
marcel, i dont no why sam didnt reply, but atleast maybe you can, do you know the requirements it takes to maybe get a job at slam. ye i may sound naive, but tell me, how can i get involved slam as a columnist or a writer?
Feb.4 at 10:59 pm
TC says:
KOBE is the MVP this season dammit!!
Feb.5 at 6:25 am
Logan says:
Kobe….no doubt
Feb.5 at 8:07 am
Sesa says:
The one which host slamonline or maybe the php programmer should’ve got jacked. It’s either the server or the connection code to the database had F’dup
Feb.5 at 8:41 am
D-Mac says:
What ever happened to D12 he is still up there
Feb.5 at 9:36 am
callmeC says:
Chris Paul should be MVP.
Feb.5 at 9:37 am
kulas says:
KB24
Feb.5 at 11:03 am
bigdoggchad says:
D-12 isn’t even playing the best ball on your the Magic. Hedo is carrying that team.
Feb.5 at 11:04 am
bigdoggchad says:
D-12 isn’t even playing the best ball on the Magic. Hedo is carrying that team.
Feb.5 at 11:51 am
Drew says:
Does anyone see that the Celts are winning without Garnett?
Feb.5 at 1:33 pm
P-HM says:
There should be a MVP Award voted by players and coaches MVP. Plus There should be an award voted by the peoples for a peoples NBA MVP also.
Feb.7 at 8:03 am
ak47 says:
So far the MVP candidates are: 1.LeBron James
2.Kobe Bryant
3.Chris Paul