Kobe Bryant’s MVP: Deserved?
Kobe Bryant won his first NBA MVP in his 12th season. Kobe, one of the best players in NBA history, has been an MVP-caliber player throughout his entire career. But was this one deserved?
Kobe averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in the 2007-2008 season, all the while leading the Lakers to first place in the West with a 57-25 record, a 15-game improvement over the 2006-2007 record of 42-40 in which the Lakers finished 7th in the West. Kobe did have a phenomenal year, but was his MVP truly deserved? He had the help of Andrew Bynum until his injury and Pau Gasol when acquired in the trade, not to mention Lamar Odom. Let’s look at the MVP runner-ups and I’ll give you my 2007-2008 MVP. (Note: Kobe finished with 1100 votes and 82 1st-place votes)
2. Chris Paul (894 votes, 28 1st-place votes)
CP3 absolutely transformed the Hornets from a playoff-unworthy team to a powerhouse in one of the toughest Western Conferences in NBA history. He turned a no-name player, David West, into an All-Star. Paul averaged 21.1 points and led the NBA with 11.6 assists per game! He added 4 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. The Hornets ended the 2006-2007 season 10th in the West with a 39-43 record, but with Paul’s leadership, the Hornets finished 2nd in the West in 2007-2008 with a 56-26 record (one game behind the Lakers), an improvement of 17 wins from the previous season! In my opinion, CHRIS PAUL DESERVED THE MVP!
3. Kevin Garnett (670 Votes, 15 1st-place votes)
Yes, Garnett was probably what helped push the Celtics from being a 26-win team to having the league’s best record, and compiling the best turnaround in NBA history. But he didn’t do it himself. He averaged 18.8 points and 9.2 rebounds a game, but was well aided by Paul Pierce (19.6 PPG) and Ray Allen (17.4 PPG). Garnett did not deserve the MVP.
4. LeBron James (438 Votes, 1 1st-place vote)
What do you say about a player who averaged 30.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists a game and single-handedly led his team to 4th place in the East? Sounds like a 4th-place MVP candidate to me. Actually, it doesn’t.
5. Dwight Howard (60 Votes)
Someone, please give this guy credit. He led the NBA with 14.2 rebounds a game, and also scored 20.7 a game. Orlando improved 12 games and moved from 8th in the East last year to 3rd this year. Howard deserves all the credit in the world for that turnaround.
So there you have it: Your 2007-2008 NBA MVP should be… Chris Paul!
I want to know what you think. Leave your comments about who deserved the MVP.
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