As the lockout-shortened 2011-12 NBA regular season comes to an end, attention will turn to the playoffs, along with the end of season awards.
By far the most highly regarded accolade is the Most Valuable Player trophy, which is awarded to the season’s best player.
This year, it’s essentially become a two-horse race. In the red corner is the Miami Heat’s much maligned but even more talented LeBron James, gunning for his third MVP trophy. In the blue corner, young Oklahoma City Thunder scoring machine Kevin Durant.
Who will take home the trophy is anyone’s guess.
Many journalists and fans have noted that Durant may win the award because there remains residual resentment towards LeBron James and ‘The Decision’ to join the Miami Heat two seasons ago.
However, such thinking is an incredible insult to Durant and the season he has had. Far from being a default choice for LeBron haters, Durant has built a legitimate case to win the award in his own right.
Should Durant win the award, it would be disgraceful for there to be any metaphorical asterisks next to his name. Make no mistake, if Durant wins the award, he will deserve it.
On the flip side, no one could begrudge James the win. He is a brilliant basketball player who has a large effect on every game that he plays in. Whether you love him or hate him is irrelevant. He’s a great player, and arguably the best in the league.
MVP voting takes place immediately following the regular season, with a panel of journalists each voting for their top five players.
Each first-place vote is worth ten points; each second-place vote is worth seven; each third-place vote is worth five, fourth place is worth three, and fifth place is worth one. The player with the highest points total wins the award.
It will shock you little to know that I don’t get a vote, but if I did, this is how I would rank my top five players:
5th place: Chris Paul
Paul’s rickety knees ensure that he can’t go all-out all of the time, which hurts his otherwise strong case for the MVP trophy.
The league’s best point guard is the epitome of a leader, and does whatever is necessary for his team to win.
While the LA Clippers upgraded their playing roster significantly this year, it was the trade for Paul that saw them become one of the best teams in the West, and they’ll return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005-06.
Paul is a winner, but he’ll have to be content with first team All-NBA honours this year, because there were four players who deserved the MVP trophy more.
4th place: Kobe Bryant
The Black Mamba found the Fountain of Youth this season. Either that, or his mysterious trip to Germany in the off-season for a non-traditional medical procedure was well worth the effort. Either way, Bryant claiming the scoring crown at age 33 was a bit of shock.
Bryant actually would have polled higher if not for the fact that he didn’t actually shoot a great percentage from the field, and was essentially a volume scorer, rather than an ultra-efficient offensive weapon.
But regardless, Kobe deserves credit for keeping the LA Lakers relevant, despite a year of massive upheavals and changes to the roster.
3rd place: Kevin Love
If the Minnesota Timberwolves had qualified for the playoffs, then Love would have been a legitimate contender for MVP honours. As it stands, when your team fails to make the post-season, you cannot really be deemed valuable.
But that doesn’t mean Love doesn’t deserve to at least get third place.
With his unique skill set of being a deadly three-point shooter, and a monster on the boards, Love is a real handful for opponents. He’s also been clutch for the T-Wolves, winning a few games on the buzzer, or sending others to overtime.
2nd place: Kevin Durant
Durant has really stepped up to be a leader this year, a point best illustrated by his relationship and co-existence with teammate Russell Westbrook.
The only person in the world who thinks Durant and Westbrook are equals is Westbrook. However, the 23-year-old Durant realises that his Oklahoma City Thunder can only win if Westbrook feels like he’s a leader of the team.
Durant’s ability to share the limelight and the shots with his All-Star teammate has been extremely unselfish and mature. It’s shown great awareness, and an ability to sum up how to get the best out of a teammate, and the team overall.
It’s meant that the Thunder have one of the best records in the league, and are primed for a trip to the NBA finals.
Throw in Durant’s amazing ability to deliver in the clutch, something James is yet to master, and you can make a very strong case for Durant to win his first of many MVP trophies.
1st place: LeBron James
The physical freak has had an unbelievable year. Again.
Averaging 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and just under one block per game, James stuffs the stat sheet every time, and has become an elite defender.
While question marks remain about his ability to deliver at the end of games, with James yet to shed his ‘choker’ tag, the truth is that he’s also responsible for a large percentage of Miami’s 43 wins, which sees them in the top four in the league.
James is not perfect, but should he deliver a championship to Miami, he’ll be pretty close. Whilst Durant has had a fantastic season, and the Thunder and Heat’s team records are almost identical, James has better statistics, is a much better defender, and has a positive effect in almost every game he plays.
LeBron James is my selection for the 2012 NBA MVP.
A1
Guest
For the record Kobe finished 4th in MVP voting. Exactly where Ryan said he would.
Strongy
Roar Rookie
I like this ranking but would probably omit Rondo from a top 5. It's a shame players such as Rose and Howard are injured or have battled injuries, it's definitely made the rankings a tad a thin. Westbrook should get some voting love too! Love has continually raised the bar, each year. It's amazing and we know MVP's can be won without playing too much D (Nash, Nowitzki).
Mushi
Guest
So the arguement against James is he's had better years? Also his numbers are topping every player outside of my and himself. I do like the 4th q comment did you catch the playoffs last year? Celtics certainly seemed to notice his closing.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Hey mate, I noted my thoughts on Rondo earlier on in the comments section. He's a hard one to judge because he brings so much to the table, yet also takes a fair bit off it (I stole this analogy from someone else!). You can easily make a great case for him for MVP, but as I said, if the Clippers offered Chris Paul straight up for Rondo, the Celtics would make the trade. If the situation was reversed, the Clippers would say no. So I struggle to nominate him the MVP, or above Paul, who I had fifth. For the record, Rondo was 6th in my ranking!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Well, that is pretty hard to defend! But for the most part of his career, Kobe has certainly been a competitive warrior. His issue is that he's a competitive warrior on HIS terms. He really wants to win, but he wants to win doing it his way. Where Magic Johnson would happily take a win without recording a single statistic, Kobe would be mortified if he didn't trouble the scorers.
Mushi
Guest
I really struggle with thiscompetitive warrior legacy of Kobe. The guy threw a playoff game to prove a point? How is this overlooked? Sorry but can't respect that
Pierce Cooper
Guest
I know Rondos name has been thrown up before in the comment section, but this is why in my opinion he deserves just as much of a shot of any PG as well James and KD. Rondo can score and I can admit some games he tries and it isn't spectacular but when he wants to he is electrifying, he is also lucky to have such prolific scorers in and outside the paint in the big 3 so is he best served throwing up jumpers? Just like James he spends a lot of the game on the opponents best offensive player and when on a score first guard makes their night hellish. He recognises a weakness in the Cs ability to get boards and throws himself into bigger bodies trying to close that gap. In his last 22 appearances he has had at least 10 assists and is heading into the history books. James is putting up great numbers this year but he has put better in the past and they are not record breaking. Durant is having another Durant year but he has a really impressive and healthy cast of team mates around him. KG, Allen, Pierce, Bass and JO all (all starters at some point and in at least a few key categories are having terrible years stat wise) have been injured for part of this campaign, for a point guard to continue to work with such a chop and change line up week in week out is impressive. the man has something crazy like 6 triple doubles as well this season, I am sure I do not need to remind you of the bulls game Durant has been selfless playing with ego maniac like Westbrook but this has also exposed a flaw that he will not assert himself and take the ball away form him. I realise it is working well for them so far but the playoffs need sense and leadership. The MVP award should be about being the most valued player in your position among the league but consideration needs to be given for what you do in your team role and the effect it has. James.... you might as well bench him in the 4th if the game is close. Yes he struggles with his jumper but how is that any different to going missing in clutch scenarios or letting a ball hog jack up no hope shots, the team has been able to win and win well with rondo putting up less than 10 points a game. I am Celtics fan so I know this has bias but given what Rondo has had to work with and given how much he has gotten out of an emerging guard in Bradley, a guy who couldn't get a start in Orlando and 3 guys 34+ I think more consideration should be given towards his MVP candidacy. I would love to hear what you all think
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Chop, they certainly know how to win. And I doubt coach Pop would allow them to be ambushed in the first round again. It's rare for a team to finish first in their conference and still be a sleeper, but that's the Spurs.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Shag, I think it's a tad harsh to stereotype A1 as someone who doesn't understand basketball. He was only stating that Kobe deserves to be in the top 5, not to be the actual winner of the MVP. And I obviously agree with him. As for your hatred of Kobe, I understand your point of view. I've changed my opinion on Kobe many times over the years. He's equally frustrating and amazing. Whilst I appreciate Kobe can be a ball hog, I think you sell him short though. Without the scoring he provided earlier in the year, which you like to deride, the Lakers would have been in all sorts of trouble. He's a brilliant basketball player who has battled with his own massive ego his whole career. Yes, that's his fault, but without that confidence, he also wouldn't be the player he is. He's no Jordan, but if people stopped comparing him to MJ, perhaps they'd appreciate him more. Whatever you think about Kobe, you have to give him credit for bringing it every night. He never takes a night off, and whilst you may question his shot selection, you can never question his heart, intensity and effort. He may not always channel it in the right way, but he gives a damn. He's a polarising figure, and it's not hard to see why. I don't always like him or 'agree' with him, but I sure as hell respect him.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
My absolute pleasure, Shag. The playoffs are wide open this year. Will the older teams show their age? It's been a short/demanding season. Will someone choke again? Yes LeBron, I'm looking at you. Will a dark horse emerge? What exactly will constitute an upset in this wild and crazy season? It's anyone's title. I can't wait!
A1
Guest
You're right I really should listen to you. Not Ryan and countless number of experts in the US who put Kobe in the top 5 MVP this year. What would they know?
Mushi
Guest
Okay joke may have been harsh. Look rose is a great player but I just wish voters actually used the award to reward the best player.
Purple Shag
Roar Guru
Dear A1 - you were no doubt trying to perfect your 360 layup before you could even dribble with your left hand. Kobe fans (of which there are so many) just epitomise everything that is wrong with basketball and are, in my book, the lowest common denominator when it comes to sports fans. The reason Kobe has won only 1 league MVP award, is because he doesnät offer you anything apart from scoring. The award goes to a player who is not only the best on his team but makes his teammates better. Rose, Nash, Dirk, Garnett etc are all respected and looked up to by their teammates & help the team in other areas apart from them putting the ball in the hoop. Kobe actually makes his teammates worse & they all know it! Sure he has won 5 rings but with a great supporting cast everytime & their couldnät be a more defining tribute to Kobe's mediocrity than the fact that he has only won finals MVP twice in 5 spins (40% - that's about his field goal average as well). Yet so many talk about him being one of the best ever! (for the record Jordan was 6/6 in this area, Magic 3/5, Bird 2/3). Kobe is a ball hogging one on one expert, who forces up ridiculous shots & is very hard to coach. Basketball is a team game. Best Regards, Obvious Kobe Hater
Purple Shag
Roar Guru
What - no Jeremy Lin on the list? Sure he sat on the pine for the first part of the season, and then his meniscus brought it all to an end - but doesn't he deserve a shake just for making hoops the biggest sport in the world for a month or so - LINSANITY BABY!?! For me Rondo has lacked some consistency, but as you have pointed out, for a guy at 26 to lead a team with so many wily vets takes some doing. How were his numbers in that game against NYK this year - 18 p / 17 reb / 20 dimes - crazy. That is oscar robertson numbers. I like your inclusion of the Love muscle at #3. If the Wolves can keep him & Rubio together & build around them they could have a hell of a team. Beasley is trouble & his numbers have been down this year, but if they could turn him back into a 20 a game man & keep his head screwed on, the Wolves would only be a high scoring 2 guard & a defensive minded centre away from being contenders in a few seasons time. Stranger things have happened. It's probably a different article all together - but what about team of the year? The Bulls have been amazing considering that Rose has been out quite a bit at well as other players who play a lot of minutes. To still have the best record in hoops shows their depth. But everyone thought Spurs would struggle this year with the compacted season, but they have held it together nicely & look good heading toward the playoffs, quite possibly with HC advantage throughout. I guess it all means nothing if you can't get it done in the playoffs - but it is a great year for the postseason. Can't discount anyone really. Even looks as if a top seed in the West could draw Dallas first round. How's having to contend with the defending champs straight off the bat. As a fan I am salivating. Cheers for the article Ryan
Chop
Guest
Good to see some love for Parker, he's been awesome but San Antonio are seemingly ignored by everyone. They'll win their conference by a mile and it wouldn't surprise me to see them make an impact in the finals.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Yeah, I know what you're saying on Love, and I factored in heavily the T-Wolves record. I think third place wouldn't just be where he finished on points, but as high as anyone would have him on their ballot, and I probably did end up having him a touch high, I guess. He's had a heck of year though, and the T-Wolves would probably struggle to win 10-15 games without him.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Blazza is pretty close to the mark there. Whilst Melo has had a great couple of weeks, including a buzzer beater versus the Bulls, and a triple double versus the Celtics (I was amazed he passed the ball 10 times!), it can't excuse the rest of his season when he was the antithesis of 'valuable'. Great scorer and a good player, but he's not MVP material this year.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
There is some quality tanking going on. Some great 'injuries' being listed too!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Yeah, I agree. I think Rose won the award as a reward for the Bulls achievements. As Mushi said, he might not even be the top 1 or 2 PG's in the league (though that would be a healthy debate). Awarding the MVP is pretty complex and flawed, and I wrote piece on it yesterday for NBA Down Under http://nbadownunder.com/opinion/why-the-nba-mvp-award-is-inherently-flawed
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Feel free to huff and puff! I'm curious as the point of contention?!