[heavyjeffd]

I heard that.

Yao, unfortunately, just needs to be patient and wait till his big ass heals up. :\

[Azyiu]

What is up today? Is April 2nd the "Come Back From Injury" Day?

First it was Arenas, then Dirk and Gasol, and now Elton Brand?! All came back from injuries.

Well, Yao's injury is unfortunate, but I don't think he wanted that to happen either. Give him a chance and some time, will you?

Kobe for MVP!

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

What is up today? Is April 2nd the "Come Back From Injury" Day?

First it was Arenas, then Dirk and Gasol, and now Elton Brand?! All came back from injuries.

Well, Yao's injury is unfortunate, but I don't think he wanted that to happen either. Give him a chance and some time, will you?

Kobe for MVP!

Kevin Garnett is the MVP. MVP does not = most talented player. It means who most impacted their team. Kobe was there last year and they were pretty decent. KG completely changed the entire culture of this team. He makes everyone on the team better. His influence on Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have been incredible. They've both been excellent defenders this season and EXTREMELY efficient. His 24/7 intensity and work ethic trickles down to the entire organization, even the end of the bench like Leon Powe and Glen 'Big Baby' Davis have played great this year thanks to him.

To go from the worst team in the league to the most dominant team in the league in just one year (while crushing the best teams in the west all year long, something like 26-5) is remarkable, and it's all because of Kevin Garnett's play and influence.

Obviously Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are likely two of the best players in the league. But value? No one has had more impact on the WHOLE LEAGUE this season than Kevin Garnett.

Kevin Garnett deserves to be MVP. If Kobe Bryant wins its just because it's a lifetime achievement award, voted on by a very uninformed media. Now granted, the Lakers don't have anyone as close to as good as Paul Pierce on their team after Kobe, but again: Kobe was there last year and they were pretty good then too. The Celtics won 24 games last year. They already have 60 and it's April 3rd.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

Kevin Garnett is the MVP. MVP does not = most talented player. It means who most impacted their team. Kobe was there last year and they were pretty decent. KG completely changed the entire culture of this team. He makes everyone on the team better. His influence on Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have been incredible. They've both been excellent defenders this season and EXTREMELY efficient. His 24/7 intensity and work ethic trickles down to the entire organization, even the end of the bench like Leon Powe and Glen 'Big Baby' Davis have played great this year thanks to him.

To go from the worst team in the league to the most dominant team in the league in just one year (while crushing the best teams in the west all year long, something like 26-5) is remarkable, and it's all because of Kevin Garnett's play and influence.

Obviously Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are likely two of the best players in the league. But value? No one has had more impact on the WHOLE LEAGUE this season than Kevin Garnett.

Kevin Garnett deserves to be MVP. If Kobe Bryant wins its just because it's a lifetime achievement award, voted on by a very uninformed media. Now granted, the Lakers don't have anyone as close to as good as Paul Pierce on their team after Kobe, but again: Kobe was there last year and they were pretty good then too. The Celtics won 24 games last year. They already have 60 and it's April 3rd.

Hey Nick, while I agreed KG should be considered as at least one of the top 3 MVP candidates, your statement fails on so many levels at the same time.

First of all, how did Kobe was "there" last year? The Lakers won only 42 games last season, and no one even bother to consider him in the top 5, let alone winning the award.

Secondly, I'd like to see Kobe and the entire LA Lakers to play in the eastern conference, maybe they too can win 60 games! How about the Celtics try playing in the Pacific Division for a season and we will see what happen?

Third, as I think Mr.Blackcock would agree that, injury is part of the game; and I don't think the Celtics are hit by injuries as hard as the Lakers this year. Bynum, Ariza, Mihm, Gasol all missed a ton of games at some point in the season. Sure, KG missed like 12 and Allen missed several also, but other than that I don't think the Celtics were hit as hard as the Lakers by injuries.

Along the same line of thinking, Kobe pretty much single handedly keep the short handed Lakers in a position for not only the division title, but the #1 seed out west. Keep in mind his team is not only short handed, he himself is playing injured the whole time!

Let's not even talk about Kobe or why I think he should win for a second here... what about CP3? You did not even mention about him ONCE! OMG!

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Secondly, I'd like to see Kobe and the entire LA Lakers to play in the eastern conference, maybe they too can win 60 games! How about the Celtics try playing in the Pacific Division for a season and we will see what happen?

The Celtics are 25-5 vs. the West, and 8-2 vs. the Pacific Division. There goes your argument.

Originally Posted by Azyiu

Let's not even talk about Kobe or why I think he should win for a second here... what about CP3? You did not even mention about him ONCE! OMG!

I agree with you there. He's right up there with KG. If CP3 wins I'd be okay with that.

Kobe is great but the Lakers were blown out by the C's. The C's have an 83.3% winning percentage versus your beloved Western Conference. The Lakers on the other hand have only a 66% winning percentage versus the weak East. So your Eastern Conference argument is just embarrassing.

To even argue that anyone has impacted the entire league in 2007-2008 more than Kevin Garnett makes me wonder if you're paying attention. The Celtics are 60-15 and have completed dominated the Western Conference including the Lakers. They have the best record in the league, and it's all because of Kevin Garnett.

There are other angles too you're not considering. If KG didn't come here, our great bench players like James Posey, Eddie House, Sam Cassell, etc would never have come here. KG has changed EVERYTHING, and the impact has resulted in the best record in the league, so I can't even fathom how anyone could argue otherwise.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

The Celtics are 25-5 vs. the West, and 8-2 vs. the Pacific Division. There goes your argument.

You are absolutely right. The Celtics only played against western teams 30 times. I really would love to see them face the Spurs, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, Lakers, Mavs and even the Rockets 4 times a year each! Sure, I admit the Pacific division has exactly two good teams right now, I give you that.

Originally Posted by zimbloth

Kobe is great but the Lakers were blown out by the C's. The C's have an 83.3% winning percentage versus your beloved Western Conference. The Lakers on the other hand have only a 66% winning percentage versus the weak East. So your Eastern Conference argument is just embarrassing.

Sure, the Lakers weren't doing too well against the Leastern Conference before the Gasol trade, but they are 9-2 against the Least since Feb 1st! By the way, do you know why the western conference teams' winning percentages appear low? Yeah, the west is simply too ultra competitive this year, and no one can really guarantee win night in and night out. It is so unlike playing in the Least, where you basically can relax on most nights.

Originally Posted by zimbloth

To even argue that anyone has impacted the entire league in 2007-2008 more than Kevin Garnett makes me wonder if you're paying attention. The Celtics are 60-15 and have completed dominated the Western Conference including the Lakers. They have the best record in the league, and it's all because of Kevin Garnett.

There are other angles too you're not considering. If KG didn't come here, our great bench players like James Posey, Eddie House, Sam Cassell, etc would never have come here. KG has changed EVERYTHING, and the impact has resulted in the best record in the league, so I can't even fathom how anyone could argue otherwise.

Did I even suggest or imply KG is not important to his team like the way you sounded as if Kobe or anyone else is virtually worthless? I guess not. Sure, KG's present makes everyone around him looks good, and his intensity impacts his team, there is NO doubt about it.

Just like you think KG deserves it and all, I equally think Kobe deserves it just as much if not more. Try playing with less talents, injuries to key players for a prolonged time, and have the playoffs virtually started on 1st March. That's right, one loss here and there to your Celtics will not hurt you guys much, but it is a totally different story out west. And their "playoffs" actually started in March!

Oh, let's not even talk about Kobe and the Lakers. How about CP3? I think you cannot honestly tell me that, you thought they would still be at the top of the west standing during the all-star weekend, can you? If you think Kobe does not deserve the MVP, how about this little guy? With names like Peja, Mo Pete, Chandler, David West, B.Wells, Pargo and J.Wright... does it even sound like a top team's roster to you? Think about it.

[zimbloth]

Originally Posted by Azyiu

You are absolutely right. The Celtics only played against western teams 30 times. I really would love to see them face the Spurs, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, Lakers, Mavs and even the Rockets 4 times a year each!

That's the pure definition of madness right there dude. You really don't think going 25-5 in a 30 game sample size is enough? You really would expect a different result if the sample size was 60? Do they teach probability statistics over there in Hong Kong?

They're 11-3 against the Spurs, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, Lakers, Mavs, and Rockets this year. Weak argument. Nice try though, good game.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by zimbloth

That's the pure definition of madness right there dude. You really don't think going 25-5 in a 30 game sample size is enough? You really would expect a different result if the sample size was 60? Do they teach probability statistics over there in Hong Kong?

You have a point there, no doubt. But come to think of it, if you must face those teams night in and night out, that demands so much both physically and mentally; I think the Celtics or anyone for that matter cannot fair as well. Like you said, it is a probability and if someone could win the lottery... anything can happen.

Originally Posted by zimbloth

They're 11-3 against the Spurs, Suns, Jazz, Hornets, Lakers, Mavs, and Rockets this year. Weak argument. Nice try though, good game.

Of course, the Celtics went 3-0 in TX earlier, I have to say I am impressed by how they beat those teams. Let's see how y'all fair in playoffs.

Then again, I thought we were talking about the MVP race?


EDIT: On second thought, the Celtics won only 60 games thus far, and the "less" talented Lakers are 9 games behind if they are compared head-to-head. Yet, if you look at the Lakers' road record, they are only 4 losses more than the more talented Celtics. I don't know, shouldn't the Celtics be sitting on 64 wins or so by now?

[GH0STrider]

I love how all the boston guys are coming out of the woods now that they are good, . Nick nice to see you in here again buddy, Me and azyiu usually only have a two man debate going. Jeff stops by now and then to make it interesting too.

Let me solve this little debate for you guys though concerning the mvp.

Mvp = The best player on the best team. the player who has given the most to make their team better.

kg is the best player on the best team. Dirk won it last season. I didn't feel that he was was the rightful owner of that award. But he was the best player on the best team during the regular season. That is how the people voting for this award look at it. Boston was the worst team last season, now they are the best. As far as what they will do in the playoffs? irrelevant when speaking of the regular season mvp award. If you think ray allen and paul peirce could turn the worst into first alone you are nuts. Look at the impact kg has had. Let me get this out there- I never liked allen or peirce. I hated the fact that they very rarely played defense. I hate those players that only put effort into playing one end of the floor. they come off as lazy and careless. Kg has not only these guys looking like defensive players of the year but this whole team has adopted is "play both ends of the floor as hard as you can" mentality.

Azyiu-
As for your kobe bid- that team was just a healthy season away from being at least a 50 win club with the roster it had at the beginning of the season. they are highly overlooked. You saw how well they have done the past 2 seasons before being stricken by injury. As we both agree it's part of the game. that being said- kobe is great but he has some real help now. Bynum and gasol in the post is huge. Your saying kobe should be the mvp. the player who has given the most to make his team better? Dude, just 5 months ago he was demanding to be traded! He didn't even want to be there. He knocked his teammates, his coaching staff, and the lakers organization. Now that the team came out healthy and is winning games he wants to be there. Does that sounds like a mvp to you? A trully great player will stick it out through good and bad times. Look at kg - that guy rotted away in minnesota before the team finally said enough is enough.

Because of kobe's piss poor and often bitchy pre-season attitude this race comes down to kg and cp3, with kg getting my vote.

[Azyiu]

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Mvp = The best player on the best team.

I respect your definition, but history says the best players on the best teams in the regular season don't always win the MVP. When Nash won it in 05-06, the Suns didn't have the best overall record, same when KG won it in 03-04, TD 01-02, AI 00-01...

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

the player who has given the most to make their team better.

That much I agreed.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Because of kobe's piss poor and often bitchy pre-season attitude this race comes down to kg and cp3, with kg getting my vote.

OK... but you also said the following...

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

As far as what they will do in the playoffs? irrelevant when speaking of the regular season mvp award.

Right, the MVP is about the regular season. So if anything happens in the Playoffs is irrelevant, what makes anything happened in the PRE-season... hell, how about the OFF-season matter? And to be fair, Kobe has been keeping his mouth shut ever since day 1 of training camp. He has been nothing but professional (at least on the court) since day 1 against the Rockets! Be fair, dude.

Plus, before Feb 1st when the Gasol trade took place, the Lakers were 29-16, that's good for 55% ball. And that's out west when he didn't have nearly enough help, and with Bynum, Ariza (one of the most underrated one-on-one perimeter defenders) and Mihm all out of actions.

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

kg is the best player on the best team. Dirk won it last season. I didn't feel that he was was the rightful owner of that award. But he was the best player on the best team during the regular season. That is how the people voting for this award look at it. Boston was the worst team last season, now they are the best. As far as what they will do in the playoffs? irrelevant when speaking of the regular season mvp award. If you think ray allen and paul peirce could turn the worst into first alone you are nuts. Look at the impact kg has had. Let me get this out there- I never liked allen or peirce. I hated the fact that they very rarely played defense. I hate those players that only put effort into playing one end of the floor. they come off as lazy and careless. Kg has not only these guys looking like defensive players of the year but this whole team has adopted is "play both ends of the floor as hard as you can" mentality.

Azyiu-
As for your kobe bid- that team was just a healthy season away from being at least a 50 win club with the roster it had at the beginning of the season. they are highly overlooked. You saw how well they have done the past 2 seasons before being stricken by injury. As we both agree it's part of the game. that being said- kobe is great but he has some real help now. Bynum and gasol in the post is huge. Your saying kobe should be the mvp. the player who has given the most to make his team better? Dude, just 5 months ago he was demanding to be traded! He didn't even want to be there. He knocked his teammates, his coaching staff, and the lakers organization. Now that the team came out healthy and is winning games he wants to be there. Does that sounds like a mvp to you? A trully great player will stick it out through good and bad times. Look at kg - that guy rotted away in minnesota before the team finally said enough is enough.

Funny how you flip-flop your opinion in mere 20 or so days, because on March 14th you said the following...

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

This years mvp goes to either Garnett in Boston or Kobe in L.A. Thost 2 are the biggest difference makers in the nba for their respective team. I personally think Kobe deserves it more. He has done more with less talent and expectations.

All in all, let's hope the MVP does NOT go to LeBron


Sidenote: I got yesterday off and was about to watch them Bulls @ Cavs, and guess what happened? There was a MAJOR technical malfunction at the HQ of my cable carrier, and we didn't get anything at all!!! Good news is that, they are going to add one game back on the schedule before the season is out to make up for the loss. I think they are adding the Jazz @ Spurs.

Also, just watched the Mavs @ Lakers... and that game was shown in HD!!! Holy crap, it looks so fucking good in HD on my 42" plasma. NBA in HD FTW!!!