Kobe for MVP?
With Kobe's unhuman-like play over the past week or so - ratcheting 50+ points in four consecutive games - there's been some discussion among sports writers/radio show hosts that, mayhap, Kobe should be included in the MVP discussions alongside Dirk and Nash (and possibly LeBron). While Kobe is clearly the most valuable player on the Lakers, I agree with those that think the MVP for the League should favor those coming from top-tier, winning teams. Yes, the Lakers are going to make the playoffs (barring any end-of-season collapse), but there is a clear separation between the Lakers and the Mavs, Spurs, and Suns.
My vote for MVP is Dirk Nowitzki. He's the leading player on the winningest team and while some may think he shrinks under pressure, let's not forget he has had plenty of games where he has demanded the ball at the end of the game and made the big shot. (Game 7 of the playoff series against the Spurs last year, anyone?)
To be honest, I do like Steve Nash for MVP, too, but I cannot recommend him in good faith for the simple reason that MJ was never allowed to win three consecutive MVPs and therefore I think it would be utter hoops blashphemy to let Steve Nash win it three years in a row. Yes, Steve is good, but he never has and never will be on par with Michael. For one thing, he has yet to win a championship, and yet has won the MVP twice. Michael was snubbed in the 1992-1993 season (Barkley won it) and the 1997-1998 season (Malone won it), but at least got to enjoy beating Barkley and Malone in the Finals those years.
And, finally, what about LeBron? He has had a stellar second half of the season, helping the Cavs threaten the Pistons position as top dog in the East. But I still think it's too early in his career and the Cavs are still not real contenders. Yes, both LeBron and Kobe make their team better than average, and without either of them their teams would be on par with the 76ers, Celtics, and Bobcats. Moreover, I think the Suns and Mavs would still be mid-range teams without Nash and Dirk, but I am more impressed with a player who is capable of propelling his team from average to excellent than one who can move his team from sub-par to above average. That means, of course, that the MVP award (in my eyes, at least) is not strictly an individual award. So be it.