MVP Power Rankings: LeBron Tops the List

Whenever the mood strikes, FanHouse will break down the current leaders in the race for league MVP. Ground rules: injuries matter, and so do recent events.

1. LeBron James: Not only has LeBron dominated in two meetings over the player holding down the two spot in these rankings, but he's now dragging his bench to victory on a nightly basis. The Cavs are without -- get this -- Drew Gooden, Anderson Varejao, Sasha Pavlovic, and now Daniel Gibson, who combined have a scoring average of about 37 a night. They're being replaced by the likes of Ira Newble, who sounds like he should be LeBron's tax man, not his starting power forward. Even with all of these players missing, the Cavs are 16-6 over their last 22 games, and it's all thanks to LeBron.

2. Kobe Bryant: His scoring is down a little this year because Kobe's modified his style a bit for the team's greater good: and it's working. Before Andrew Bynum went down, the Lakers were among the league's top teams. With Kobe getting his teammates involved like never before (seriously ... Sasha Vujacic is good all of a sudden?), he may be more deserving then ever of his first MVP, even with the lower scoring average. And with the addition of Pau Gasol, that should only help Kobe's chances because the Lakers will likely be playing deep into the post-season.

3. Chris Paul: The New Orleans Hornets, who finished 10th in the Western Conference last year, find themselves battling for the top spot this year. Chris Paul is the reason. His numbers are at career best averages of 20 points and almost 11 assists per game, and he got David West into the freaking All-Star game. 'Nuff said.

4. Steve Nash: With all of the alleged trouble the Suns have had this season, they are currently sitting atop the West with the best record in the conference. Sure they decided to shake things up with a little trade, but that's to strengthen the team for their playoff run. Nash has done what he's always done, and that's run the team flawlessly in the regular season. His averages of 17 points, almost 12 assists and over 50% shooting per game reinforce this point nicely.

5. Kevin Garnett: Like I said, injuries matter. You can't be the MVP when you're out for three weeks, and your team is winning anyway. Not to say that KG won't re-emerge as the favorite, but until he gets back on the court, he's staying at the bottom of my rankings.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-11-2008 @ 11:04AM

Rick said...

Ok, I'm waiting. Name any away game for Cleveland, or the Suns, or Celtics or that other team in which the opposing crowd starts chanting "MVP, MVP" for either LeBron or Nash or Garnett or that other guy when he is making his free-throws? Can't, can you?

Now, with regard to Kobe, the opposing crowd has done just that in every game he's been in during this road trip.

2-11-2008 @ 11:43AM

DM said...

Kobe will never win MVP. Deal with it.

2-11-2008 @ 11:52AM

Trogdor said...

Edwards, you fool! You failed to account for the oh-so-vital "what opposing fans chant while the player is shooting free throws" factor. For shame, sir. For shame. Your pitiful evidence cannot stand against anecdotes and fanboi-ism. May God have mercy on your soul.

2-11-2008 @ 12:09PM

Buvi Duvi said...

1.LeBron
2.Chris
3.Garnett
4.Nash
5.Kobe(won't ever get a MVP award, he isn't that caliber of player)

2-11-2008 @ 12:12PM

Bob Gossman said...

Labron is a gret ball player, but he's working to get where Kobe is. Kobe has adjusted his game to blend in with the rest of the Lakers, and he's made them one of the top teams in the league. I don't think there is any question that Kobe should, finally, be named MVP.

2-11-2008 @ 12:26PM

Dead Weight said...

Injuries are a fact of life in the NBA, or any other gym. If you arrive late at the court and the guys that have "next" are the four worst players available, you still go out there and play to win, no excuses. That said the CAVS are 2-2 in their last four games (when the injuries really hit) and 14 -- 4 before that, good not stellar. The Lakers on the other hand have had injuries over the span of the same 22 games to Mihm, Ariza, Luke Walton, and Bynum; still have a better record than the CAVS. Also prior to the recent addition of Pau, Lebron had a better supporting cast IMO, an ALL STAR (former) center, Drew Gooden, Daniel Gibson, two comparable quality Euros and a sweet shooting big man in Marshall.

2-11-2008 @ 12:59PM

jkedsf1 said...

LeBron sat out 6 games because of a non-shooting hand finger injury. Kobe scored 36 and 10 boards on saturday; and 33 sunday with a pinkie injury on a shooting hand. he coudn't even handle the ball right!

2-11-2008 @ 1:00PM

frank said...

Kobe is a great player but somebody mention he was adjusting to ???? you got to be kidding , he was forced to adjust by phil or else ; Now the Lakers made a very smart trade ( Gasol)better then Celtics ( KG and Ray ) now if Kobe and Gasol have the right chemistry is a slam dunk which ever way but adjust he has to he better if the Lakers are going anywhere this year , Done.

2-11-2008 @ 1:16PM

In fact LeBron has a very good supporting cast as well; Verajao is in the injured list but comes playoff time he will be ready so will be Gooden and Plavovic but one more time 1 man will not make the difference even if is King Kong this is a team sport the Celtics understand that so is the N.O. Hornets and the Spurs so will see in playoff time.

2-11-2008 @ 3:27PM

Seabold said...

If you watch the Cavs regularly, you know that LeBron gets beat up every game and plays most of his games hurt in one way or another. When he rarely sits out, because higher ups insist on it. LeBron, hands down, is MVP of the NBA. The things he does under constant double and triple coverage are amazing. The only reason there are no MVP shouts in visiting cities is because it is CLEVELAND playing -- and you know, for stupid reasons, fans have always had a prejudice against any Cleveland team in any sport. The Cavs went to the NBA Finals last year for heavens sake and they STILL don't get respect. Too many people like Chas. Barkley around that just don't get it.

2-11-2008 @ 3:55PM

wicked pissa said...

ill take kobe for mvp for 2 simply shallow reasons. Number one, the video posted above of kobe dee'in up on wade. And number two, during the cavs-nuggets game sunday lebron wasn't playing dee. The best player in the league doesnt guard 'melo or a.i. who does he guard? kleiza and najera. seriously. and then he cried.

2-11-2008 @ 9:32PM

LeBron has a very good supporting cast like he should no player is King Kong no matter how good he is ; Shaq from the get go with Orlando had at that time a good supporting cast with Penny and Co. so was one of the best players of our era MJ and pippen and Co. and later wild man Rodman and Bird, Kareem, Hakeem the dream , etc,etc the botton line is not how good you are is how good is your roster and frankly after Shaq left LA it has not been a good supporting cast for Kobe , finally the Lakers got Gasol and to be fair Kobe may shine again, Done.

2-12-2008 @ 4:25AM

claytor said...

Lmao, did someone really say LeBron should morph into the type of player Kobe is?

Yo, that noise is the OTHER way around, and for Lakers fans, its paying off.

You guys kill me sometimes.

Oh, and for the record, Kobe plays shooting guard, you know, the SAME position Wade plays? LeBron plays small forward, hence hed have been guarding Melo.

Still think people should be weary of that Suns trade, though..

3-04-2008 @ 7:31AM

delia said...

The Cavs got into the Finals because Stern didn't suspend LeBron when he should have done it and they beat only crappy teams. The first team that was comparable to the Suns that kicked the Lakers out of the 1st round, swept them. Where was LeBron then?

So, why didn't you have Kobe on the 1st spot in 2005-2006 season when he had an awful team and had greater numbers than LeBron this season? Does Nike pay you? lol

2-12-2008 @ 1:23PM

Lebron has a very good supporting cast not like Dwight ( Orlando) that is why the Cavs went to the finals last year they played Dwight's Magic on 02-11-08 and Hughes had it a huge game 40 points Z a 7"3 had it a terrific game as well ,plus Gibson and Newble and Lebron was a non factor instead Dwight was running up and down the floor NOT 1 player will not do this is a team sports not even MJ did it on his own saying that after Shaq left LA Kobe did not have a strong support finally the Lakers got Gasol now let's see if Kobe can put it together but the best player without a decent roster has to be Dwight if they can only get someone like Jose Calderon or similar he will be in the finals too.

2-12-2008 @ 3:40PM

nick said...

2 very good teams in the east Detroit & Boston
there's at least 7 good teams in the West. The better player plays against the better teams. I can see why LeBron gets the MVP nod look who he goes up against in the East(garbage). Kobe is hands down MVP this year

2-12-2008 @ 7:22PM

ali said...

Wow,
So much consternation! Well, Lebron won't get MVP until he goes to the Knicks, which will be the final touch in resurrecting 3 ailing mega franchises (Boston, LA, NY), certainly ochestrated by league officials, for the good $$$ of the NBA. And he is going folks, no way Cleveland (and I lived there briefly... Drat!) keeps Lebron much longer.

As for MVP, I know what the formula on record is, but even Lebron says Kobe is the best player in the NBA, and I don't think he's being patronizing. Give the award, finally, to Kobe. Because for one he deserves it and for two, Lebron will have many a day. Sentimental? Well if you really love basketball, you've gotta love Kobe!