by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
Plenty of people have Derrick Rose as their MVP pick — many of the voting media, rival coaches, NBA fans, and Hall of Fame former players.
It’s not everyday, though, that you hear an endorsement from someone who’s in the race for the MVP trophy themselves.
LeBron James, the defending two-time Most Valuable Player, thinks the award is Rose’s this season.
From the Sun-Sentinel:
Earlier this season, James backed New York Knicks center Amar’e Stoudemire for league MVP. With a few weeks left before the playoffs, things have changed. James said Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose is his choice. Rose is generally regarded as the top candidate, with the Bulls on pace to earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Rose has kept the Bulls afloat despite injuries to Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah.
“I think Derrick Rose,” James said. “What he’s done for that team, with all the injuries they have and them being first in the Eastern Conference. They’re playing some really good basketball.” James said he was leaning toward Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki until he was injured. Now, he’s in full support of Rose. “You’ve got some guys here that have done their job also,” James said. “But Derrick Rose definitely has gotten a lot of the exposure and a lot of the media attention because of the work he’s done. He’s playing some unbelievable basketball.” James maintained his stance of the Heat not having a serious candidate because he and Wade have canceled each other out.
As always, the MVP debate has been contentious. It will be nice once Rose gets it and we can finally stop talking about it. Oh wait, that’s clearly impossible. Never mind.
