I'm not exactly sure how the MVP voting works but I'm willing to bet that voters split their first place votes between Lebron and Kobe allowing Nash to sneak in the back door. Lebron, Kobe, Chauncey and Dirk all deserve that award way before it goes to Nash. I'm aware that "MVP" means different things to different people (and voters) but any reasonable definition should take into account a player's "overall" game (offense AND defense). Maybe if Nash could play just a little defense I'd be willing to consider. As much as it pains me to say this, Kobe got robbed. There was not a better, more dominant basketball player in the league this year.

I agree with JID. I am not, in any form, a Kobe Bryant fan. However, I can't deny that he had one of the most impressive scoring seasons I've ever seen. He had the eighth highest season-scoring average (ninth if you count Baylor's 1961-62 season where he only played 48 games). His 35.4 point/game was the most since Jordan in '88. He scored 40+ points in 27 games. And he did it all without any other teammates to take the defense's focus off him. Not to mention he played enough defense to rank 6th in steals.

If Kobe doesn't get the MVP, it's because he represents the selfish style of play that traditionalist don't like. Nash is the league leader in assists. He seems like a nice guy. He's white. Traditionalist rejoice! However, his season really wasn't that special. His 18.8 point, 10.5 assists, and 4.4 boards basically looks to me like the 16.5 points, 10.9 assists, 4.7 boards Andre Miller had the season he lead the league in assists. Andre didn't even make all-NBA that season, let alone MVP (although Miller's Cavs pretty much stunk that season).

Why don't the NBA and MLB writers simply do what the NFL writers have been doing for years and give out a separate "Player of the Year" Award? The important distinction is that the Player of the Year is given regardless of the team's place in the standings.

Among Barry Bonds seven MVP's, there were some that were undeserved because of the team's finish, but he was certainly entitled to a Player of the Year award. Hell, why not make this retroactive and make Andre Dawson trade in his MVP for a Player of the Year award.

about how Coach Phil does in playoffs when caught one down, etc. He seemingly can defy the usual trends, although his history includes a cast of players like no others, so what was he doing being one or two down to begin with. Anyway, it's a bit deeper than the usual LA TImes rah-rah Lakers stuff.

I agree with JiD and Agmonster and disagree with King, Kobe should have won the MVP this year. I actually am a Kobe fan, but I'm not crazy. I can recognize Nash and Lebron had great years, and Nash winning isn't totally nonsensical, but come on! The one argument I'm so sick of hearing is "Nash took the Suns without Amare to second place in the west, wow!" as if the rest of the team is a bunch of losers. Uh, last I checked, he had Shawn "Matrix / NBA ALL-STAR" Marion on the team, who is an amazing player. Besides Lamar, Kobe's teammates are lucky to be in the league, let alone making it to the playoffs. King says without Nash the Suns would have won 40? I disagree with that, but that's still around .500. Without Kobe the Lakers would have been lucky to have a better record than the Trailblazers.

Lebron had a great year, but I think its more of a great year in terms of his career, not in the history of the NBA. Kobe had a very special year. His scoring has been record breaking, but beyond that he actually played defense and has already had an effect on the careers of players like Odom and K. Brown. Its fine to disagree with all that, but do people really think Nash deserves to be a back to back MVP winner? Have you seen the list of players who have done that? Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem, Moses Malone, Magic, Jordan, Duncan....now Steve Nash? Really???

I'll join you for 3 games King cuz this is their year...they are actually going to win a playoff game! Actually am really pulling for my Devils, I mean Clippers, this year. Although in doing so I have to finally acknowledge that FSU has produced a pro (Cassell) who is capable of leading a team to some post-season glory. This does not mean I have to like any future Billy Crystal self-promotion vehicles.

Reporting from Indy - many on talk shows openly concerned that if Pacers somehow manage to get by the Nets (still not a good bet) they might *not* be scattered to the 4 winds like everyone wants. Gotta love a fan base who is rooting for its best players to do well in the post-season only to increase their trade value. Stephen Jackson is maybe the most painful player to watch that has ever played for Indiana. He is one of those players capable of single-handedly taking the entire team out of a game by his on-court attitude and selfish play. How did Walsh and Bird, alleged basketball geniuses, ever think it was a good idea putting Artest and Jackson together even for a pickup game?

bwunderlick argues in his post that he is "sick and tired" of the arguments that Nash gets credit for Phoenix's success given that he is surrounded by superior teammates (specifically Marion). Unlike, apparently, Bryant who is surrounded by inferior talent that Bryant makes better. He cites Odom and Brown in support of his argument. Time out for some fact checks.

2004 Phoenix

Stoudemire-22.4 ppg (.475 fga)

Marion-18.6 ppg (.449 fga)

Joe Johnson-16.4 ppg (.430 fga)

NO NASH

Team record 29-53

2005 Phoenix

Stoudemire-26.0 pg (.559 fga)

Marion-19.4 ppg (.476 fga)

Joe Johnson-17.1 ppg(.461)

WITH NASH

Team record 62-20

Wunderlick test question- Identify the factor that best appears to explain the improvement in the Phoenix team record?

As to the "improves teammates argument". Seventh seed (third in their division) LA surrounds Bryant with Odom (US Olympic team member, 4th pick overall 1999 draft, 2005 salary- $10,548,596) and Brown (1st pick overall 2001 draft, 2005 salary-$5,361,872). Second seed (first in their division) Phoenix surrounds Nash with Bell (undrafted after graduating from Florida International U, 2005 salary- $1,320,000.) and Diaw (21st pick overall 2003- 2005 salary $1,097,640.)

Wunderlick test queston- Identify the player who has the greatst impact on the success of his teammates, and his team?

If the answers to the above question are not Steve Nash, you are taking a Rorschach test, not a wunderlick test.