Comments on: The Case for Kobe: Why Kobe Bryant, Not LeBron James, Deserves the NBA MVP Award http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/ The season's over. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:35:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Chris http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-11220 Chris Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:24:51 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-11220 the cavs average 5 less possesions per game than the lakers which is HUGE! lebron also gets twice as many blocks per game as kobe. LeBron gets 2 more rebounds per game and is on a very strong rebounding team (Z, ben, anderson V!) and the cavs have the 24th worst shooters in the NBA (bye-bye assists). You can't just look past every single stat (which lebron beats kobe in...) and say that kobe deserves it because of what he has done in the past the cavs average 5 less possesions per game than the lakers which is HUGE! lebron also gets twice as many blocks per game as kobe. LeBron gets 2 more rebounds per game and is on a very strong rebounding team (Z, ben, anderson V!) and the cavs have the 24th worst shooters in the NBA (bye-bye assists). You can’t just look past every single stat (which lebron beats kobe in…) and say that kobe deserves it because of what he has done in the past

]]> By: moneyman http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-11158 moneyman Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:33:05 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-11158 main shut up and get a life main shut up and get a life

]]> By: gurf morlix http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10736 gurf morlix Sat, 15 Mar 2008 00:58:57 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10736 52-30 says it all. Kobe plays 52 games against the West and 30 versus the East. Lebron plays 52 games versus the East and 30 against the Wast. Any tiebreaker needed? That should do it. 52-30 says it all. Kobe plays 52 games against the West and 30 versus the East. Lebron plays 52 games versus the East and 30 against the Wast. Any tiebreaker needed? That should do it.

]]> By: Ed http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10729 Ed Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:46:11 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10729 what all the "lebron for mvp" folks are reluctant to admit to is that the arguments being used for lebron this season are the same exact arguments used by lakers and kobe fans the past three seasons. "look at the talent, or rather the lack there of, on his team...", "look at the numbers he's putting up, night in and night out..." and "he's doing all this, getting his team into the playoffs and he's having to do it alone..." as a kobe fan, i don't see the difference there. during the past three seasons, the mvp award has gone to the best player on arguably the best or one of the best teams in the league, nash and dirk. the individual stats nash and dirk put up during their mvp seasons weren't the best in the league, but the success of their teams are what all the voters pointed to in justifying their selections. if that holds true this season, as this writer suggests, then it's kobe who desreves the mvp, not lebron. and we're not taking anything away from lebron and the spectacular season he's having. it's just that given the similar individual accomplishments between the two this season, the fact that the lakers are at the top of the highly competitive west HAS to mean something when it comes to the mvp award. as long as the lakers remain at of the west with kobe spearheading a legitimate championship run, kobe bean bryant should be the mvp of the 2007-08 season. what all the “lebron for mvp” folks are reluctant to admit to is that the arguments being used for lebron this season are the same exact arguments used by lakers and kobe fans the past three seasons. “look at the talent, or rather the lack there of, on his team…”, “look at the numbers he’s putting up, night in and night out…” and “he’s doing all this, getting his team into the playoffs and he’s having to do it alone…”

as a kobe fan, i don’t see the difference there. during the past three seasons, the mvp award has gone to the best player on arguably the best or one of the best teams in the league, nash and dirk. the individual stats nash and dirk put up during their mvp seasons weren’t the best in the league, but the success of their teams are what all the voters pointed to in justifying their selections. if that holds true this season, as this writer suggests, then it’s kobe who desreves the mvp, not lebron. and we’re not taking anything away from lebron and the spectacular season he’s having. it’s just that given the similar individual accomplishments between the two this season, the fact that the lakers are at the top of the highly competitive west HAS to mean something when it comes to the mvp award. as long as the lakers remain at of the west with kobe spearheading a legitimate championship run, kobe bean bryant should be the mvp of the 2007-08 season.

]]> By: Tom http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10614 Tom Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:24:29 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10614 Nice job. What I want to know is why March 11 for Kobe Bryant blog day? Wasn't that Isaiah Thomas's number? Shouldn't Kobe Bryant Blog day be March 24? Then we could have Shaq's blog day on March 32. ;-) Anyway, I've noticed that media voters tend to make players who have a history of excellence, rather than one great season, the MVP. I guess they expect players to pay their dues before they hand out MVPs. Given that, I think Kobe will be MVP, and it is probably long overdue. Nice job.

What I want to know is why March 11 for Kobe Bryant blog day? Wasn’t that Isaiah Thomas’s number?

Shouldn’t Kobe Bryant Blog day be March 24?

Then we could have Shaq’s blog day on March 32. ;-)

Anyway, I’ve noticed that media voters tend to make players who have a history of excellence, rather than one great season, the MVP. I guess they expect players to pay their dues before they hand out MVPs.

Given that, I think Kobe will be MVP, and it is probably long overdue.

]]> By: REALESTVOICE http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10604 REALESTVOICE Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:26:02 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10604 i agree with that, and i have said it before on previous posts..Garnett right now is not 1 or 2 in the MVP race because of his supporting cast and also because of another huge fact.....and that fact remains that if Kobe is out, Lakers lose...Lebron is out, Cavs lose....Garnett is out, ummmm, well, Boston still wins....LOL...and most fans and people like us look at the MVP and speculate how valuable he really is to his team (and the NBA) by how his team would do without him...thats not the case with Garnett but if it wasnt for Allen coming in this year, then thats another factor...i kinda feel bad for Pierce, being a fan of the Celtics even while they sucked and being ridiculed for years...LOLOL...but i feel for him because he has had better years, much better years, but now he is noticed alot more because of the team being successful...finally he is getting his just due but only because of his supporting cast (and probably most of you know this but he did offer to give up or share his "Captain" status when Garnett came in, but Garnett said no, that he was there to support Pierce."...thats a gesture of unselfishness in my book...but that doesnt win an MVP either..LOL... but these are all ifs, ands, or buts.....when it comes down to it, on paper, I think Lebron is the better player at this moment, today, right now on the statsheet...but then again, that doesnt always win it anything, the Cavs arent exactly at the top of the seeds right now...these forums and blogs are filled with Kobe haters, Nash haters, Lebron haters, etc....so our opinion means jack...nothing....nada...BUT we can always say "I told you so" after the voting...LOLOL...we will see how it plays out... final thought, Kobe "deserves" it, and im not fond of him but i cant deny his game, BUT Lebron has a better chance of getting it if it comes down to numbers...their supporting cast can either hurt them or make them, as is the case with Garnett.....all in all, its a tight race and i cant wait to see how it ends!!!! i agree with that, and i have said it before on previous posts..Garnett right now is not 1 or 2 in the MVP race because of his supporting cast and also because of another huge fact…..and that fact remains that if Kobe is out, Lakers lose…Lebron is out, Cavs lose….Garnett is out, ummmm, well, Boston still wins….LOL…and most fans and people like us look at the MVP and speculate how valuable he really is to his team (and the NBA) by how his team would do without him…thats not the case with Garnett but if it wasnt for Allen coming in this year, then thats another factor…i kinda feel bad for Pierce, being a fan of the Celtics even while they sucked and being ridiculed for years…LOLOL…but i feel for him because he has had better years, much better years, but now he is noticed alot more because of the team being successful…finally he is getting his just due but only because of his supporting cast (and probably most of you know this but he did offer to give up or share his “Captain” status when Garnett came in, but Garnett said no, that he was there to support Pierce.”…thats a gesture of unselfishness in my book…but that doesnt win an MVP either..LOL…

but these are all ifs, ands, or buts…..when it comes down to it, on paper, I think Lebron is the better player at this moment, today, right now on the statsheet…but then again, that doesnt always win it anything, the Cavs arent exactly at the top of the seeds right now…these forums and blogs are filled with Kobe haters, Nash haters, Lebron haters, etc….so our opinion means jack…nothing….nada…BUT we can always say “I told you so” after the voting…LOLOL…we will see how it plays out…

final thought, Kobe “deserves” it, and im not fond of him but i cant deny his game, BUT Lebron has a better chance of getting it if it comes down to numbers…their supporting cast can either hurt them or make them, as is the case with Garnett…..all in all, its a tight race and i cant wait to see how it ends!!!!

]]> By: GhiaElcid http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10595 GhiaElcid Wed, 12 Mar 2008 06:33:35 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10595 ** Posted by: Andrew on March 11th, 2008 at 8:09 pm ** nice andrew... at least someone sees the article as i did... Lebron is the best player this year... period... but KB will win it because: 1. they will !!sympathize!! with KB for not winning it the past few years (when he was the best player in the league)... 2. they will !!sympathize!! with KB for not yet winning it... 3. they will !!sympathize!! with KB's millions of fans (including the above writer and posters)... :) but honestly... if KB win it this year, i think he deserves it... he's been the best player for the past couple of years... Lebron still has a decade for his mvp(s?)... ** Posted by: Andrew on March 11th, 2008 at 8:09 pm **

nice andrew… at least someone sees the article as i did…

Lebron is the best player this year… period…

but KB will win it because:

1. they will !!sympathize!! with KB for not winning it the past few years (when he was the best player in the league)…
2. they will !!sympathize!! with KB for not yet winning it…
3. they will !!sympathize!! with KB’s millions of fans (including the above writer and posters)…

:)

but honestly… if KB win it this year, i think he deserves it… he’s been the best player for the past couple of years…

Lebron still has a decade for his mvp(s?)…

]]> By: Joejacobi http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10590 Joejacobi Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:54:28 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10590 Great article! all very valid points...I'm convinced (not that I already wasn't, I'd voted for KB a couple weeks ago). As far as Team success playing a part in MVP voting, I'm sure it counts some but not in the case of Garnett (at least I hope not) because he's surrounded by two perennial All-Stars and two guys that have been in the MVP race a few times themselves (1 guy this year in Pierce). I think that alone should take him out of the race as there's so-oo much talent there that makes eachother better players. Great article! all very valid points…I’m convinced (not that I already wasn’t, I’d voted for KB a couple weeks ago). As far as Team success playing a part in MVP voting, I’m sure it counts some but not in the case of Garnett (at least I hope not) because he’s surrounded by two perennial All-Stars and two guys that have been in the MVP race a few times themselves (1 guy this year in Pierce). I think that alone should take him out of the race as there’s so-oo much talent there that makes eachother better players.

]]> By: Horace http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10582 Horace Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:36:37 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10582 How many times has Kobe beaten the Spurs in the playoffs without Shaq? The same amount of times LeBron has. What are the Cavs record against the Lakers in the last 5? 5-0 No one will argue that Kobe is one of the best on ball defenders in the league, but he himself can't stop LeBron, as has been evidenced in the their career matchups. When they are guarding each other, its actually LeBron who has the edge. I also would definitely like to say that if I had to pick one of them to take one jump shot to win me a million dollars, I'd pick Kobe every time. But if I had to pick one to get 2 points for me this season, I'd pick LeBron. We need to stop being anecdotal (ignore prior paragraph) and look at the facts. Easily searchable on nba.com How many times has Kobe beaten the Spurs in the playoffs without Shaq? The same amount of times LeBron has.

What are the Cavs record against the Lakers in the last 5? 5-0

No one will argue that Kobe is one of the best on ball defenders in the league, but he himself can’t stop LeBron, as has been evidenced in the their career matchups. When they are guarding each other, its actually LeBron who has the edge.

I also would definitely like to say that if I had to pick one of them to take one jump shot to win me a million dollars, I’d pick Kobe every time. But if I had to pick one to get 2 points for me this season, I’d pick LeBron.

We need to stop being anecdotal (ignore prior paragraph) and look at the facts. Easily searchable on nba.com

]]> By: Andrew http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10580 Andrew Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:09:00 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10580 So let me get this straight, Kobe is MVP because of the following: 1. He's a cagey veteran defender. 2. He scored 81 two years ago. 3. You're able to trivialize the large statistical edge Lebron has over Kobe by saying he plays 2 more minutes per game (while neglecting that Lebron is on the 7th slowest paced team in the league whilst Kobe is on the 6th fastest) Makes complete sense. So let me get this straight, Kobe is MVP because of the following:

1. He’s a cagey veteran defender.
2. He scored 81 two years ago.
3. You’re able to trivialize the large statistical edge Lebron has over Kobe by saying he plays 2 more minutes per game (while neglecting that Lebron is on the 7th slowest paced team in the league whilst Kobe is on the 6th fastest)

Makes complete sense.

]]> By: Chris http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10577 Chris Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:52:47 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10577 I completely agree with you on Kobe being MVP. It was actually the last game against Dallas that swayed my opinion. Kobe dropped 52 against a very good defensive team in Dallas,with a very good defender in Josh Howard guarding him(Yes, I know he wasn't guarding him the entire time). Also, the FT% does stand out. b/c of how close they are statiscally, it may end up being that the FT% will decide who wins. I also would like to point out something. You said that Lebron folded against Bruce Bowen and the Spurs. Don't forget that Kobe also struggles against Bowen, as well as many other players. I completely agree with you on Kobe being MVP. It was actually the last game against Dallas that swayed my opinion. Kobe dropped 52 against a very good defensive team in Dallas,with a very good defender in Josh Howard guarding him(Yes, I know he wasn’t guarding him the entire time). Also, the FT% does stand out. b/c of how close they are statiscally, it may end up being that the FT% will decide who wins.

I also would like to point out something. You said that Lebron folded against Bruce Bowen and the Spurs. Don’t forget that Kobe also struggles against Bowen, as well as many other players.

]]> By: REALESTVOICE http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/comment-page-1/#comment-10568 REALESTVOICE Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:32:12 +0000 http://www.emptythebench.com/2008/03/11/the-case-for-kobe-why-kobe-bryant-not-lebron-james-deserves-the-nba-mvp-award/#comment-10568 Oh man...i gotta say, you do make some good points...personally, if it was between Kobe and Lebron, I would give it to Lebron...I think I have written this many times on here before BUT there is only one problem with that equation...IT ISNT BETWEEN KOBE AND LEBRON...i have seen literally hundreds of blogs, posts, columns and every other type of website, newspaper column, and sports show debating on who will win this year...and most of the time it does come down to KB and Lebron...but look what has happened the last 3 years...dont tell me Kobe didnt deserve it in any of the last 3 years....i think he got screwed in at least 1 of the last few years, and because of that, i dont think they will give him the nod....he has been overlooked because of his TEAMS success....i mean i do hope he does get it, after years of dominating, he deserves it at some time and hes not getting younger...its like what else does he have to do? Kobe dominates the scoring side of the game AND is on the All Defensive team, and he doesnt get it, theres nothing else that he can do....i guess your team being successful means more than your personal performances now...Dirk? Nash? you see my point? if thats the case then it really depends on the record your team has at the end of the season, and THAT will pretty much be Boston, which will give alot more weight to Garnetts votes...im just telling it how i see it...sorry.... Oh man…i gotta say, you do make some good points…personally, if it was between Kobe and Lebron, I would give it to Lebron…I think I have written this many times on here before BUT there is only one problem with that equation…IT ISNT BETWEEN KOBE AND LEBRON…i have seen literally hundreds of blogs, posts, columns and every other type of website, newspaper column, and sports show debating on who will win this year…and most of the time it does come down to KB and Lebron…but look what has happened the last 3 years…dont tell me Kobe didnt deserve it in any of the last 3 years….i think he got screwed in at least 1 of the last few years, and because of that, i dont think they will give him the nod….he has been overlooked because of his TEAMS success….i mean i do hope he does get it, after years of dominating, he deserves it at some time and hes not getting younger…its like what else does he have to do?

Kobe dominates the scoring side of the game AND is on the All Defensive team, and he doesnt get it, theres nothing else that he can do….i guess your team being successful means more than your personal performances now…Dirk? Nash? you see my point? if thats the case then it really depends on the record your team has at the end of the season, and THAT will pretty much be Boston, which will give alot more weight to Garnetts votes…im just telling it how i see it…sorry….

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