The MVP Race: Don’t Forget About KG
Ever since Kevin Garnett went down with an injury (and the Celtics continued to win without him), the MVP race he once led commandingly has turned into a competition between two men: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant - with the latter holding the edge.
The Boston media, however, would like to remind you that their guy is pretty good, too.
If you want to give the MVP to the guy with the best numbers on a pretty good team, then Garnett is not your guy. If you want to give it to the best player on the best team, to an individual who has transformed a franchise and brought the word “defense” into the daily discourse without the need for a laugh track, then he still has to warrant serious consideration.
Kevin Garnett absolutely deserves to be in the running for the award; the turnaround he’s helped engineer in Boston is a thing of beauty.
That being said, the Celtics are still residents of the woeful Eastern Conference. So, unless they win 70 (which they obviously won’t), it’ll take one hell of an argument to convince me (and many others) that he deserves the vote over Kobe.
70 Responses to “The MVP Race: Don’t Forget About KG”
Mar.3 at 4:05 pm
Co Co says:
If the Lakers end up with the best record then Kobe should get it for being the best player on the best team. Until they have set rules for determining the MVP, the debates will never end. Where does Chris Paul fit into all of this?
Mar.3 at 4:06 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
according to the chuck klosterman story on the Celtics in the NYTimes sports magazine play, the real reason the Celtics are so good is because Scalabrine is happier.
Mar.3 at 4:10 pm
Marcel Mutoni says:
i thought it’s because they were all sleeping a lot better, sam.
Mar.3 at 4:10 pm
bouncyman says:
I don’t understand why everyone is saying the debate for MVP should be between Kobe and LeBron… I think what Chris Paul is doing in the West is just as impressive as what LeBron is doing in the east… but Kobe’s the clear leader.. go Lakers!
Mar.3 at 4:10 pm
Kyle Ian says:
I don’t think it should take much convincing to know KG deserves the MVP award. Let me put it like this: Garnett has taken a franchise that won 24 games last year and turned them into a legit title contender. His mere presence, passion, commitment, and work ethic has changed the culture of this team. His influence on not only the young players, but also the vets, has been eye popping. He’s anchored the defense and sprung the offense into motion. Yea, you can say they won without him, but unless he had done all of the above would they have had the confidence to do so? KG helped turn Boston from a lottery pick to a team who could very well be hoisting the Larry O’Brien this June. Nothing against Kobe, but the leap from an 8th seed to a title contender isn’t quite as dramatic. A very close second to the man obsessed with Air.
Mar.3 at 4:12 pm
Zabba says:
Chris Paul for MVP. nuff said.
Mar.3 at 4:12 pm
Co Co says:
It sounds like they should give two MVP’s. One to the player who gets traded to a team and instantly makes them a contender and the other to Kobe.
Mar.3 at 4:16 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kyle Ian: That’s all well and good. How is it different from Jason Kidd in 2001? You could say EVERY ONE of those things about him that season. And who won MVP? Tim Duncan.
Mar.3 at 4:19 pm
Co Co says:
Kobe is playing with a remnants of a pinkie finger because he knows his team can’t do it without him. Come on, LeBron missed like 7 games earlier this season with a sprained finger. Sprained! Kobe needs surgery and he hasn’t missed a game. He’s the MVP. KG is a fine player, but it doesn’t help that the team didn’t miss a beat without him.
Mar.3 at 4:21 pm
Kyle Ian says:
Russ, you’re quite right. KG as MVP is just my opinion and I wouldn’t be offended by giving Kobe, Lebron, or CP3 the hardware. I just really like what KG has done for the Celtics.
Mar.3 at 4:22 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
true, they’re sleeping better and Scalabrine is happier.
Mar.3 at 4:29 pm
TADOne says:
And at the end of the day, Sclabrine’s happiness is all that matters.
Mar.3 at 4:32 pm
bouncyman says:
But Russ, should Duncan have won? He’s my favorite player in the league, but I still think Kidd deserved it that year.
Mar.3 at 4:36 pm
räuber hotzenplotz says:
all 4 are winners (kobe, lebron, paul, kg) you could give it to kobe for being the best basketball player in the world, to lebron for being the most spectacular one with the fewest tallent around him, to paul for being the biggest surprise and most improved player (although he is still young, so he wont get it) or kg for making the celtics happen and his will and work ethic surviving minnesota.
Mar.3 at 4:36 pm
tom says:
hi all, long time reader of the mag and the site, great job all the time. my two cents on the mvp. if you ask any GM this year, if they had to have one player for THIS season only. i think most would take Tim Duncan and that’s why he should be the MVP. and i believe he is on the team with the best record.
Mar.3 at 4:49 pm
peteb80 says:
Kyle Ian, you’re not wrong, but in my opinion you have to consider that KG has two All-Stars by his side, and it’s those three guys combined who brought the change in Boston. Take Paul Pierce, or to a lesser extent Ray Allen, off the team and the Celtics are not serious contenders.
Mar.3 at 4:51 pm
namik says:
Give Tim Duncan PP and Ray Allen and they might as well skip the whole season. KG is cool and all but no way he should win MVP. If any team got 2 multiple time All-Stars, the attitude would automatically change. Just because you say “Yeah Motherf***er!!!” after every play and manically stare at your teammates doesn’t mean you’re exclusively responsible. Plus didn’t he miss a month with an abdominal strain? Way to man up. Kobe ain’t winning it ever even if he deserves it. LeBron gets his first one this year.
Mar.3 at 4:58 pm
Kyle Ian says:
Namik, in response I’ll kindly point to Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. Then we’ll point out the amazing playoff success experienced by Houston with Yao Ming and McGrady the past few years. I could wrap it up with the “big three” of New Jersey earlier this year. Having All Stars, while nice, can sometimes be a bit overrated. The Lakers might be the best team in the West and they have one legit, every time, no matter what All Star. I don’t think you give KG enough credit.
Mar.3 at 5:03 pm
Captain America says:
Thank you! This is what my response was about 4 hours ago. KG will take it to the house. If not, don’t forget CP3 and (fill in the blank). And, the obligatory Kobe (with a new and improved with extra vitamins Lakers).
Mar.3 at 5:03 pm
Knicks! says:
kobe is still going to be the MVP
he is the best player on this earth
and on the best western team
they might not win the championship
they’ll get far, and they’re young..
i believe he definately thinkhe deserves it!
Mar.3 at 5:08 pm
Captain America says:
Here’s the simple test: If you were starting a new franchise from scratch, which player would be the first one you would select? For attitude, getting other marginal players involved, it’s gotta be KG.
Mar.3 at 5:12 pm
Spaceship Jay says:
If Kobe didn’t get MVP the year he scored 81 points on a team they were down by 16 to, and taking Kwame Brown and the rest of crappy Lakers (at the time) to the playoffs IN THE WEST, he should NEVER get it. If he gets it this year, he should place the trophy on the floor, and Urinate on it in front of the Media
Mar.3 at 5:12 pm
namik says:
Kyle I can’t really respond to your post because you pointed out completely different situations. The Nuggets suck in general and the lack of urgency completely seperates the two stars from the big three. I can;t believe you even tried to compare the Celtics to the Nets. Yao and Mac would be pretty stellar if they were healthy. Injuries can’t be controlled for. My only quesiton with the Celts is why KG? Why not Allen who has been clutch or Pierce who is playing like he is 20? These are all motivated, hard working All-Stars who are playing with deperation to get thier rings and who have all contributed a great deal to the team.They are not “just” All-Stars by any shot. For me, KG is just the sentimental pick.
Mar.3 at 5:18 pm
Bxballer says:
MVP stands for Most Valuable Player. The most valuable player (out of James, KG, CP, & Kobe) to their team would be LeBron. You guys all saw what happened to that team when he didn’t play, they became a lottery team. The Celtics held their own while KG was out, Kobe has a better supporting cast. CP is as equally important to his team. With that being said, I would give CP the award because his team has a better record and because they’re in a tougher conference.
Mar.3 at 5:18 pm
peteb80 says:
EVERYBODY with a brain would select LeBron when starting a franchise.
No, the question with the MVP would rather be: If you want to win a championship this year, who would you pick? Still not KG, you will see that come playoff time.
Mar.3 at 5:24 pm
Spaceship Jay says:
And Russ is right. I’ve been having a 2001/Jason Kidd/MVP argument at least once a month since then.
Mar.3 at 5:25 pm
Captain America says:
Spaceship Jay, I could say the same thing about Kobe the last five years. It boggles the mind. But whereas Kobe had Krummy Brown, KG has Perk and Big Baby, etc.
Mar.3 at 5:32 pm
Jolst says:
Who cares about the ‘real’ MVP. It’s just a award. Just let’s wait who’ll win the title.
Mar.3 at 5:35 pm
Kyle Ian says:
Situations are the point. Without KG the Celtics are just like the Nuggets. Good, but not good enough. Like the Nets. No fire under their collective rears. Like the Rockets who can’t seem to bring it in the playoffs when it matters. KG is a legit leader, and I don’t use the word leader lightly like pundits seem to do. Yea he has All Stars. So? Other teams have All Stars. To then come up with different situations to explain why having All Stars isn’t good enough seems to be stretching. But hey I see your point. I’m not saying anyone is wrong. I’m just making my case.
Mar.3 at 5:36 pm
vtrobot says:
@ namik: yao and tmac don’t need to “man up” like KG should have? I think Kyle Ian has you on a couple points. @ kyle ian: you’re right, when KG was out, during some of those wins, you could definitely see that the celts expected to win. some times that make all the difference. KG, bron, kobe, chris paul. they’re all deserving. what does it matter? it’s rare there’s one clear cut “best” person each year in the NBA. MVP award is as silly as the oscars. even being in boston, i say give it to chris paul and put that guy on TV more than once a season.
Mar.3 at 5:46 pm
WhaHuh says:
Perkins is ok, and big baby is a good rookie, nothing like kwame
Mar.3 at 5:47 pm
Dela One says:
Before the Lakers STOLE Pau from Memphis I think the MVP was clearly LeBron. Now, since that trade the Lakers look nearly unbeatable and that starts with Kobe. It looks like he actually believes that they’re good enough to win it all now, that’s scary. If LA holds on to keep home court in the first round, Kobe’s MVP. If they slip to the 5-8th seed, it’ll be LeBron. Its that close. LeBron is more “valuable”, but they reward team success.
Mar.3 at 5:56 pm
G Diesel says:
I can’t believe this is even a debate. If Kobe doesn’t get it, this award should be cancelled.
Mar.3 at 6:03 pm
Reggie Evans says:
The award should have been cancelled three years ago.
Mar.3 at 6:26 pm
Sesa says:
It’s so hard giving MVP when you had 2 all-stars riding beside you.
Mar.3 at 6:36 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Chris Paul
Mar.3 at 6:45 pm
Brandon M says:
The way to sort out this mvp debate.. Take out each potential candidate from their team and see what the team is like without their mvp candidate. Lakers without Kobe - Useless.
Cavs without LeBron - Useless
Hornetts without CP3 - David West would suck and could not be called an all star.
Celtics without KG - They can still win. So it’s between Kobe and LeBron.. I hate Kobe. I believe i am the biggest Kobe hater out there. But unfortunately he gets my vote for mvp. That dudes a scoring machine. Although don’t forget LeBron.. The youngest player to 10000 career points
Mar.3 at 7:12 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Give Lebron the IBM award.
Mar.3 at 7:22 pm
AB_40 says:
russ j-kidd was still with the suns after the 2000-2001 season. and at the end of the 2001-2002 season C-webb was the best player on the best team besting the nets by 9 games. plus 26 to 52 is good but 18?to 60 c’mon that’s an amazing feet(if boston makes it though)
Mar.3 at 7:25 pm
James the balla says:
If Kobe doesnt get it, after not recieving it the last two years … i will not watch another game other than Kobe and when he retires, i will not watch another NBA game.
Mar.3 at 7:30 pm
Kobe Bryant says:
I don’t want your stupid MVP award. I only want to win championships. LeBron can try on some of my rings, that’s the only way he’s gonna wear one. Garnett is scary looking after he dunks and all that, but if I played in the Leastern Conference I’d average 40 points a game. And Tim Duncan? Please…
Mar.3 at 7:48 pm
Balling NZ says:
LeBron has to get it….surely.
Mar.3 at 8:35 pm
Mark Z says:
Is this award about what individual player can score the most? If it is, then the argument should begin and end with Kobe and LeBron. If it’s about what player is MOST VALUABLE to his team, it’s got to be KG. He completely changed the C’s. Dead last in the East last season, (hard to do), few wins, many blown leads, terrible shooting %, terrible defense, etc, etc, etc. That’s all changed and it’s all been on KG’s back. But at the end of the day, KB and Lebron can have the award if KG leads his team to the Finals. That’s the only award that matters.
Mar.3 at 9:04 pm
mike says:
The real definition of what “MVP” is so controversial that no two people are considering the same credentials while voting. They should end the “MVP” award and star a “Best player in the NBA” award, because I will never know what most valuable will ever mean. Most valuable to their own team, the league, the best player, who turned their new team aroung the most?
Mar.3 at 9:04 pm
tt says:
How can u say KG is MOST VALUABLE to his team. When he was out with the stomach stuff his team still won
Mar.3 at 10:50 pm
John D says:
tt so what? That’s a stupid argument. He should be penalized because his team is good? Like Russ said in another post, the Bulls won 55 games in 1994 when MJ was playing baseball. That discredits his 3 previous MVP awards?
Mar.3 at 11:20 pm
Dark says:
C’mon, KG is not more valuable than Kobe. Seriously, putting Kobe on your team means your team has a shot to win every single night. When Kobe’s been the lone ranger on his team, they’ve still been to the playoffs; KG’s only taken his team there when Sam and Spree were with him, and now, Pierce and Allen, two All-Stars.
Mar.3 at 11:27 pm
hursty says:
T-mac? nah kobe
Mar.4 at 12:32 am
mike says:
I remember when MVP’s in the NBA used to win championships.
2004- nope
2005- nope
2006- nope
2007- nope
When Shaq, Duncan, Jordan, or Olajuwon got the MVP, it was usually a good choice.
Now we have to call Iverson, Garnett, Dirk, and Nash the Most Valuable Player.
Mar.4 at 12:40 am
Russ Bengtson says:
David Robinson won MVP and got KILLED by Olajuwon in the playoffs. Both Barkley and Malone won and got bested by Jordan. It’s not like the MVP always used to win championships. Voters don’t have ESP. At least most of them don’t.
Mar.4 at 1:00 am
B. Long says:
Mamba should have 2 MVPs already, if he doesn’t get it this year he may avg. 50 pt. a game in the playoffs. Dont know I’d yall heard him but he said they ain’t losing today. I dont think they will lose this year.
Mar.4 at 1:51 am
Joey says:
Chris Paul is defiently the MVP, lebron is in the east and his team still isnt all that great (their 10 games behind detroit), and the lakers are on a roll after aquiring Pau (and also getting rid of Kwame)so he is not really the reason even bynum is doin good (before the injury), and kg is up there cuz of the best team best player thing, but all in all Paul desearves it
Mar.4 at 2:22 am
Reggie Evans says:
I have ESP … N
Mar.4 at 2:25 am
phanb says:
Why don’t they just change the award and call it… The player who is doing what Kobe ain’t??? LOL first he dominates the league with a roster that can’t start on any other team (outside of Lamar) and no bench… (LBJ has always had a better team regardless of what you people say) so they give the award to Nash who is the best player on a team with 3 allstars and awesome 6th & 7th men… Now he is leading one of the best teams in the league minus any all stars and you want to give it to the best player on a crap team ???? LOL Haters will hate I guess
Mar.4 at 3:15 am
LAN says:
east and west teams play each other so its really just whos won the most games so its boston riggght??? every1 sayin boston wouldnt b that goot in west wat u talkin bout. i dont understand
Mar.4 at 3:15 am
LAN says:
east and west teams play each other so its really just whos won the most games so its boston riggght??? every1 sayin boston wouldnt b that goot in west wat u talkin bout. i dont understand
Mar.4 at 3:32 am
Jimmy G says:
Right now its 1) Kobe 2) Paul 3) Lebron 4) KG for me.
Mar.4 at 3:33 am
tt says:
@John D. even if KG were to miss the rest of this season the Celtics would do good without him. They probably won’t win the championship without him but i highly doubt that he could win it without RA or PP. The Celts won’t tank without KG is what i was trying to say. Whereas NO without CP3 would tank, Cavaliers without Lebron would tank. KG is good just not MVP good.
Mar.4 at 3:37 am
tt says:
oh yeah just cause you don’t like my opinion you shouldn’t call my idea stupid, just say you don’t agree. peace.
Mar.4 at 4:32 am
Fish says:
LAN Are you serious? How long have you been watching basketball? Western Conference teams play against eachother more than eastern conference teams. Its not a fifty fifty split. Watch some more ball and then comment.
Mar.4 at 6:11 am
underdog says:
Everybody is like “if the Lakers wins the West Kobe should be MVP”. Come on now. If the Lakers gets the fourth seed that’s still a way bigger achievement than win the East at all. With all my respect to Detroit and Boston, but the West is murderous nowadays. Seven teams around 39 wins? Somehow I feel like Nash not going to sit out the last three or four games in the regular season, like he did last year.
Mar.4 at 8:50 am
Orlando says:
Unless the Lakers collapse, Kobe needs to get it. The East is so weak, I can’t see it going to KG or LBJ.
Mar.4 at 9:52 am
Jumpman1996 says:
How can you say KB24 doesnt deserve it because he got pau when KG is playing with two all-stars!
Mar.4 at 10:17 am
bigdoggchad says:
K…O…B…E! Nuff said.
Mar.4 at 10:26 am
Mike says:
This is why Bill Russell says the MVP award is stupid because it is completely political, where the Championship is completely earned without any votes. Somebody on here said the MVP usually goes to the best storyline in the NBA, which may be true.
Mar.4 at 10:27 am
Mike says:
They should let current NBA players vote, not the writers.
Mar.4 at 1:52 pm
TonyG says:
current players is just as bad..they all have their bias to certain players..Kobe is the front runner, but if LA doesn’t finish 1st and the Hornets finish 2nd or 3rd, I’d give the MVP to Paul..has an alleged rapist ever won an MVP anyways?..
Mar.4 at 3:17 pm
Michael says:
I love Kg, and i know this isn’t actually a good agrument. But theres no way in hell he should have two MVP’s before Kobe gets one. Not when he missed the playoffs three years in a row.
Mar.6 at 12:52 am
jmac says:
there is only 2 in the race for MVP and thats LB and KB
May.6 at 6:22 pm
youngmuggsy says:
why couldn’t he bring the word ‘defense’ when he played for the twolves? i think its unfair that on a team with two other superstars and some very good role players, and the immergence of rajon rondo, that kg should get all of the credit.