Let the debate continue on who should be the NBA’s MVP this year.
We're approaching the all-star break and it's time to open up the NBA's version of Pandora's Box as we delve into the MVP debate for yet another season. Is it Kobe or LeBron? Yes, some players will be mentioned -- albeit briefly -- but at present it's really a two-horse race.
That being said, thanks to the Toronto Raptor schedule, it has been my week to see both candidates close up and a get a look at a few others on the periphery of the discussion as well. The comparison points between Kobe and LeBron are fresh in my mind and in the event that you weren't watching the Raptors lose to Cleveland and the Lakers on back-to-back nights, you can check it out for yourself as Kobe and the Lakers put a perfect 5-0 record on their East Coast road swing on the line against the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers in their next game.
I'll say my piece right now. Although I think the gap is closing between the two players, Kobe Bryant still has a slight edge when it comes to my take on the MVP debate and he will resurrect some of the "old Kobe" as he tries to do more for his team's fortunes in the absence of Andrew Bynum. James on the other hand is still doing what he has always done for his squad but the difference this year, which has many people ready to crown him as the MVP, is his team's record. The Cavs have overcome the "disease of me" that inflicted them at the start of last season with Anderson Varejao and Sasha Pavlovich holding out, and with the off-season addition of Mo Williams are doing what many expected them to do last season in challenging for the conference crown.
But as the debate rages on many fronts -- which player has the better supporting cast, who does more for his team, which one is a better clutch player? -- in these eyes, seeing them up close, there is still a business-like, cold-hearted, cut-throat side to Bryant of which James only shows glimpses. While Bryant seems to have an inexorable focus on the floor, LeBron still has a playful side that manifests itself more than his counterpart. I know, the James supporters are saying he's just having fun and maybe that is the case, but for some reason when the game is on the line, I will side with many NBA general managers and give Kobe the ball. Bryant's coach, the Zen master Phil Jackson, says that Michael Jordan and Kobe are two of a kind when it comes to their competitiveness.
Expect to see Bryant pick up the pace for the final two-plus months of the season as the Lakers are right where they were last season. They are expecting to emerge as Western Conference Champions, even without the services of Bynum who, unlike last season, is expected back for the playoff run this season. Los Angeles has been here before and until Bynum returns to action, according to Jackson, Lamar Odom, Josh Powell and Chris Mihm will have to play better and "pick it up" in Bynum's absence. But if you think Bryant is going to leave it up to that triumvirate to help keep the Lakers' ship on course, I've got a seat on the Titanic with your name on it.
Last week when the Lakers rolled into the Air Canada Centre to play the Raptors, Bryant had that look in his eyes before the game and went out and made big shots late in the fourth quarter to give Los Angeles the victory. "The look" was part of a statement Kobe was making and will continue to make for the rest of the season. Observers at Madison Square Garden will tell you he had the same look and some in the Lakers' organization said that Kobe was indeed sending a message the night he put his name on top of the scoring list at MSG with his historic 61 points. To put it bluntly, he didn't have to score 61 but he was out to prove a point as if to say "no big deal without Bynum, hey fellas, I got this one and don't even think about not getting the No. 1 seed in the West and going back to the Finals."
Yes, LeBron has had his success this year but if his team doesn't hold on to top spot in the conference they will be in a battle to get to the Finals, having to go through both Orlando and Boston. I'm from the old school and it says here that before I give you the crown, I need to see the champ getting up off his wallet, and right now, Bryant is still standing, if not flying for that matter, and it will up to James and company to take him down in future tussles.
But in truth, Bryant would gladly give James MVP honours on the condition that he got the ultimate prize, the NBA championship. So let the debate continue.
