I didn't think Nash deserved it last year, but wont go into that debate.

This year I thought Nash was phenomenal and the Suns played like an elite team even without their Elite Big man.
I originally thought Nash should have won it, but I have changed my mind.

Last year I thought it was a travesty that Nash won it, this year I didn't think so, but I still think he should not have won it.

There are 4 candidates in my mind. Dirk, Kobe, Lebron, Nash.

Who has the weakest supporting cast: Kobe, hands down.

Nash has Marion, an all-star, who has pretty much put up 20 & 10 most of his career.

LBJ has Big Z (15 & 7) and Larry Hughes (15, 5 & 3) and Drew Gooden (11 & 8)

Kobe has talented but erratic Lamar Odom (15, 9 and 5) who has failed to show up to many games this season.

Which team would do worse without their MVP? This is only between the Suns and Lakers. I say Lakers, easy.

There is one major point that I'd like to make that I don't think can be made enough: As phenomenal as Nash is, that system deserves a healthy amount of credit for the teams success. That style itself makes it easy for other players to excel and they have a roster built around that style of play. Of course Nas's tremendous skill takes things to another level, but I think they would still win about 30+ games minus Nash.

Lakers would be somewhere near us and Portland. Aside from Odom, the rest of their starting 5 could not start anywhere else in the league. Luke Walton? (nevermind what Bill Simmons was saying, I think Walton's ex-celtic dad told him to plug him) The lakers would suck worse than any team in the league (except us and Portland) without Kobe, and yet, somehow they made it to the 6th seed in the playoffs.

Did I also mention Kobe is a fierce 2-way player and Nash is allergic to defense?

Kobe was the MVP of the league this year, his numbers are phenomenal, and where he took his untalented roster is a remarkable feat.

What a surprise, you don't think Nash was MVP. I am shocked.

It's the old Player of the Year v. MVP thing. It applies to every sport.

I would have given the MVP to Kobe or LeBron.

It's all about team play. Nash elevates the play of his teammates. Kobe detracts from it. Odom had a poor year because of Kobe's selfishness. Sorry. No dice.

Let alone the fact that the Lakers just didn't win enough games for Kobe to really qualify.

[Edited by - Solace on 05-07-2006 10:30 PM]

Deep down I think Lebron should have won it. He showed phenomenal leadership, all-around play. He lifted a putrid supporting cast on his shoulders. He was both unselfish and dominant. Not an easy task. Think KG with the ability to consistently score 15 in the 4th and win games.

Kobe had a phenomenal year but he was actually more of an AI clone to me than anything else this year.

Dirk was pretty awesome and laid his claim as well.

Nash? I f'g love watching that guy play hoop. He's a flat-out amazing phenomenal basketball player. I don't buy it's the system. He messes with people, just toys with them. He's like, "You know what we're going to do, then stop it MF'er." And who does? NO one.

Some say he shouldn't get it because Kidd didn't or Stockton didn't. 2 different arguments. Go rewrite history if you want but that has nothing to do with what's happening now.

I always LIKED Nash. After I saw what he did to Dallas last year in the playoffs I said okay, holy f**k this guy's playing like Cousy or Tiny or - yes, that's right I'm gonna say it - Isiah F'g Lord Thomas himself!!!

Nash for MVP!!!!!

Nash's team was 26 games over .500, Kobe's team was 6 games over .500. Value = wins. That's why you play the games. Kobe made no one better, except maybe Kwame Brown. Nash made everyone better, including Raja Bell and yes, Tim Thomas. Lamar Odom is every bit as good as Sean Marion, just look at the series that just ended. Odom outplayed him. Who are the next "bigtime" players on Phoenix? Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, James Jones? Come on. Nash singlehandedly made that team what it is. Again, no Amare this year. Kobe is the most outstanding player and the best player, just not the most valuable. Value = wins. Enjoy your summer Kobe. Watch the MVP Nash move on.

Posted by rojasmas:

The Lakers were actually 8 games over .500. My bad. And they have the best coach in the league. Best player and best coach. Got to be more than 8 games over .500.

Ok, you have made an argument, a weak one, but an argument nonetheless.
If Value=Wins then Dirk should have won it. Dallas won 60 games, 3rd best in the league.

it's going to be funny to see the MVP unable to guard Sam Cassell. I love watching Nash, but to me his lack of defense keeps him from being the MVP. I would've voted 1) Dirk, 2) Bron, 3) Nash, 4) Kobe. Kobe really won me over in the playoffs, but he didn't play like that all season.


[Edited by - crzymdups on 05-07-2006 11:35 PM]

not every pg can play that system. in fact, only a few can. it's not only his passing ability, but it's his threat to hit every single jumper (especially midrange) that allows all those assists to happen.

the dude is a best leader in the nba. he's the guy getting everybody the ball. he's the guy that's encouraging everyone. he's the guy that is giving people confidence. he's the guy that's giving people hi fives when they miss shots. he is the coach on teh floor. he is the best point guard in the league and he's the best leader in the league. he can't play a lick of defense but as you can see, it doesn't affect the team.

so yes, he is the most valuable player.

dirk played great. lebron played great. kobe played great. but nash allows other to play great as well. marion took it to another level when nash came to the team. diaw is a possible triple double every night. 7 guys with career years. that's all b/c of nash running the system to perfection.

Posted by Killa4luv:

All of this 'making people better' stuff is killing me. Since when was this the criteria for the MVP. Did Barkley make players better? Jordan? Kg? Olajuwan? David Robinson? Give me a big fat freaking break. When did this become the standard by which an MVP candidate is judged? I only mention this ecause it flies in the face of nearly every other MVP in league history. When did this switch in thinking come about and why?

maybe when Detroit beat Shaq/Kobe? and then a bunch of lesser talented European teams beat the "Dream Team" in the Olympics in 2004? I think there is a growing awareness that it's not only stats that matter, but how you play and the better TEAM winning.

Making people better... let's see, Stephon Marbury, your boy, sound familiar? He is a great individual talent who makes no one better. And thus we won 29 games.