MVP Picks: Western Conference
A.I. on Dime #28Last week, ESPN’s Jeffri Chadiha picked an MVP for each of the NFL’s 32 teams. So in the spirit of … um … jacking, I picked my first-third of the season MVP’s for each of the NBA’s 30 squads. Eastern Conference was earlier today. Now, the West:
Clippers: Chris Kaman. With Elton Brand out of the picture, Kaman has stepped up. He’s averaging 14 rebounds per game, and had scored in double-figures every game this season until he was held to 9 against Phoenix over the weekend. You could redact the name and show a friend Kaman’s game-by-game numbers this year. Nine out of 10 times, that person will say those are Dwight Howard’s stats. Where is this team without him?
Lakers: Kobe Bryant. Kobe gave Raja Bell the coal stocking on Christmas Day, and he might as well have turned and started to walk back on D after he released 22-footers. It was a meat shower. But let’s also give Andrew Bynum some love here. Someone must have told him that he’s going to hell if he doesn’t dunk the ball every time he’s within five feet of the basket.
Grizzlies: Rudy Gay. In his second year, Rudy has developed into more than someone whose skills translate well into video games. He’s had more games where he’s clearly the best player on the court and fewer games where those old questions of his killer instinct and desire pop up.
Mavericks: Josh Howard. After Dirk’s much-publicized summer of beard-growing and training in foreign nations, his post-MVP performance has been sub-par according to his standards (21.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg – both down from the last three years). Though Dirk is the focal point of the Mavs’ offense, Howard does almost as much with fewer touches (21.2 ppg). Plus, Howard’s accuracy is a much-needed bonus (49% FG, 40% 3FG).
Warriors: Baron Davis. Boom Dizzle, S-Jack and Matt Barnes are Nellie’s three captains. But can anyone imagine the rest of the Warriors looking to Captain Jack or Captain Tat down the stretch of a close game? At 22.3 points per, Baron is having his best offensive season since the ’03-04 campaign, when he averaged 22.9 per game for the Hornets. And on the other end of the floor, Boom’s 2.5 steals per game is a career-high.
Rockets: Yao Ming. Even when McGrady is healthy, he can’t translate great play into W’s. The Rockets dropped both games in which T-Mac scored 40-plus. So I’m begrudgingly giving it to Yao. He averages a double-double but shoots 48.5% from the field. Andris Biedrins is shooting nearly twenty percentage points higher.
Timberwolves: Al Jefferson. Hypothetically, let’s say Kevin McHale isn’t such a homer and doesn’t deal KG to the C’s for Al Jefferson. Does Al Jeff put up anywhere close to his 20.3 points and 12 rebounds per night that he does in Minny? I contend that he does, because he hits the offensive glass so well (4.1 OREB per); possibly better than Garnett, who has never averaged more than 3.5 offensive boards per game in his career.
Hornets: Chris Paul. The Hornets are the model of consistent, balanced production, as four of their starters average double-figures, and David West and Tyson Chandler both tally more than nine rebounds a night. But CP3 is this team’s MVP and should be in consideration for MVP of the League for his 21.4 points, 10 assists and 3 steals per night. And he can take over a game on his own too — he’s scored 40 or more on two occasions this month on an ultra-efficient 62% from the field.
Suns: Grant Hill. Steve Nash’s assist numbers are up from last year, but he’s been producing at this general level for so long now it’s become expected. As Hill grows increasingly comfortable in Mike D’Antoni’s system, he’ll overtake Nash as the most important player on this squad. It helps that Hill is playing with the same fluidity as he did seven years ago.
Trail Blazers: Travis Outlaw. The Sporting News featured a quote from some writer (read: rabid Blazers fan) who labels Portland as the team best-suited to win championships over the next five years. Moving past the ridiculousness of that statement, if the Blazers are to win much of anything, they’ll need to continue to get an influx of points from Outlaw. He’s had a December to remember, averaging 14.8 points per game as the Blazers have become the League’s hottest team.
Kings: Kevin Martin & John Salmons. Let’s split the Kings’ award into one for each month. In November, K-Mart II posted 24.3 points per game. He went down with a groin injury at the beginning of this month, and Salmons has picked up the slack since, tallying 17.9 points per game in December. Without Martin, Salmons’ numbers have improved in every major statistical category.
Spurs: Tony Parker. Forget the whole cheating-on-Eva rumors; Tony has been as good as ever since tying the knot. He’s currently averaging a career-high in points (20.3) and assists (6.7). During the Spurs’ losses to Phoenix and Memphis, Parker was out of the lineup. In the two games following, he scored 46 points on 50% shooting in addition to 11 assists.
Sonics: Kevin Durant. His 20 points per night are almost seven better than the next-best Sonic, Chris Wilcox. P.J. Carlesimo has no problem letting the rookie play through his slumps, either; KD leads the Sonics in minutes played and field-goal attempts.
Nuggets: Allen Iverson. Not only is he leading the team in scoring (26.3 points per) while shooting a respectable 45% from the field — meaning he’s not just jacking — A.I. has made up for Denver’s revolving point guard situation by dishing the rock. He’s averaging 7.1 dimes per, and the Nuggets are 6-0 whenever he records 10 or more assists.
Jazz: Carlos Boozer. He started the season at such a torrid pace, he had to cool off eventually. But the cooling has only been by about one point per game, as Booz is still putting up 23 points a night. And his rebounding numbers have actually improved in December – he’s now pulling down just over 12 boards per night. Throw in 1.45 steals per game and Booz is in contention for the top PF spot in the West.
December 31st, 2007 at 10:55 am
Myrie says:
Wow….Travis Outlaw? Do you not know that Brandon Roy is on the Blazers?
Grant Hill in Phoenix. Nothing against Hill, but these are the types of things that got Shawn Marion frustrated in the summer.
Josh Howard in Dallas….that selection is nothing more than a big “FU Dirk”.
If you did a split for the Kings, why not a split for the Spurs with Parker and Ginobli?
December 31st, 2007 at 11:14 am
MSkittle says:
Travis Outlaw over Brandon Roy?? Grant Hill over Steve Nash??
December 31st, 2007 at 11:28 am
hatinonmanu says:
They didn’t do a split for Manu/Parker because Manu is a puss, and doesn’t really bring anything to the team that any common roleplayer couldn’t. The guy is sitting out a few weeks with a FINGER injury, how pathetic. Humans have TEN fingers, if one is giving you a problem, just chop it the fuck off and keep playing.
December 31st, 2007 at 11:31 am
EvanD10 says:
ahahahah hill over nash is a joke….mind you hill has been playing very well…its no secret that nash is and will continue to be the best player in phoenix hands down…and with outlaw over roy…thats just a joke in general hes an awesome player…but that team goes nowhere without brandon roy playing well
December 31st, 2007 at 12:23 pm
djKianoosh says:
Hill on the Suns is a smart choice. He does so many little things that give the Suns a chance against the Spurs and Mavs. he’s very important for them to get over the hump.
there goes hatinonmanu again. let’s just not open up that discussion again… sheesh.
December 31st, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Celts Fan says:
the Suns (it’s 1. Nash, 2. Marion, 3. Hill, in my opinion,) the Blazers (brandon roy), and the Kings (Beno Udrih in the post-KMart month) are the only ones I really disagree with. I’d probably give Utah to Deron, but that’s a 1A/1B situation…
December 31st, 2007 at 12:37 pm
bucketz says:
b.diddy is nice nd evrything…real nice..but the warriors were turrrrrrrible without s jack nd hes jus been the man straight up ever since he came bak…
and ronnie turiaf over kobe…jus type in turiaf dance on youtube and youll know why
December 31st, 2007 at 12:38 pm
bucketz says:
ooo and amare over marion anyday
December 31st, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Captain America says:
Travis Outlaw is the Energizer Bunny. He took over the game when it counted versus Jazz.
McHale is a homer to Minnesota, where he was raised and went to college. He’s teachin’ Big Al just like he taught the ungrateful but whiny KG.
December 31st, 2007 at 1:09 pm
bron42 aka Global-4A-Reason says:
-I agree with hill over nash. Nash is a floor general, other than passing hes not really effecting the game.
-I agree with josh over dirk (thats pretty easy this season)
-Don’t agree with travis outlaw over b-roy
-Yao’s % is low cuz he settles for fade aways instead of beasting.
-rockets PLEASE trade shane battier back for rudy gay
-If your gonna complain about not spliting parker and manu, then you also have to complain about not giving duncan his credit, since chances are the other two wouldnt be shit without him AND they’ve all stepped up in certain games this year.
December 31st, 2007 at 1:13 pm
QQ says:
Grrant for the Suns is a good choice, because he provides the all around game for them. People are just used to seeing
Nash as the golden Sun, but this is a good choice.
December 31st, 2007 at 1:16 pm
YOUNGFED says:
I’m with Myrie 100% on this one dime Grant Hill come on, Travis Outlaw (GTFOH) Better Yet Get The F–K Outta Here! Try again Dime Yall are trippin’ with this list I’ma have to send me subscribtion back (naw Just kiddin’, but only about the subscribtion.
GET DOWN OR LAY DOWN!!!
Don’t quite remember the movie thats from but I love the saying. I’m out and this time just out(LOL)
December 31st, 2007 at 1:21 pm
YOUNGFED says:
PS Al Jefferson is a beast. Top 5 Most Def
December 31st, 2007 at 1:56 pm
rean_pinoy says:
Clippers: Chris Kaman - agree.(who else is there?everyone is injured..)
Lakers: Kobe Bryant. -kwame brown.just kidding.
Grizzlies: Rudy Gay. -agree.(pau gasol looks like he’s bored playing bball already.he needs to be traded,asap)
Mavericks: Josh Howard. -im a dirk fan but, yeah, right now it is JHo
Warriors: Baron Davis. -agree.2nd on the ballot is sjack,he gives the team the “attitude” they needed.whatever that means…
Rockets: Yao Ming. -agree.whatever happened to tmac?
Timberwolves: Al Jefferson. -agree.breakout yr for him.but im still not a fan.
Hornets: Chris Paul. -here here.
Suns: Grant Hill. -im a big gh fan but the mvp i think is still captain canada.
Trail Blazers: Travis Outlaw. -haha!very funny.you forgot to put the “just kidding” part though
Kings: Kevin Martin & John Salmons. -not a salmons fan.
Spurs: Tony Parker. -id say eva longoria-parker.she’s at very spurs game
Sonics: Kevin Durant. -okay….
Nuggets: Allen Iverson. -wow,7dimes a game,45% from the field,26pts per?agree i supposed.unless the cambyman puts up one of those 3pointer a night and average a trip-double for the season.he can do it
Jazz: Carlos Boozer. -agree.kudos to deron
nice read again. my boss gonna kill me
December 31st, 2007 at 3:19 pm
dagwaller says:
Wow. As good as the Eastern list was (in large part), this is just as bad.
First of all, how can you not put Brandon Roy at the top of the Blazers list? Was this a “MIP” list mixed in?
That would be the only way to explain the Hill selection. Contrary to popular belief, apparently, he does more than just pass. Second leading scorer on the team (after Amare), along with posting 3.7 rpg (to Hill’s 4.5).
Uhhh, Kevin Martin goes down, and the guy replacing him in the lineup sees his stats go up…duh. You don’t say.
Sad that even when you’re giving props, you have to bust on some guys (Yao - mentioning Andris Bierdrins in the same sentence? Classy, Dime.)
Or when you’re giving props to someone else, you have to slam another guy (Dirk - we get it - you don’t like him. Again, classy).
December 31st, 2007 at 3:19 pm
dagwaller says:
The part where I talk about the Suns I’m referring to Nash, not Hill. What a weird claim. At least go with the standard Marion or Amare arguments.
December 31st, 2007 at 5:08 pm
doc says:
I dont understand the hate on Yao, Nash and Dirk its past blatant. We all know Nash is what makes the Suns go. Josh nice as hell but Dirk is the offense. Just like Duncan can have 15 points and the o revolved around him. Avery got that same system popping for Dirk. And why bring up the dude for GS who just dunks and nothing else like he’s better than Yao. Dude percentage probaly the best in the league but yall single out Yao. Why?
December 31st, 2007 at 7:13 pm
bron42 aka Global-4A-Reason says:
blatant or not, its correct.
Dirk is the offense? hes not even the teams leading scorer this year. and dirk isnt even close to duncan since dirk only shoots and may get you a couple boards, duncan has more to his game..if dirks jumper isn’t fallin hes useless. josh does everything ala marion. duncan helps people cuz defense have to focus on him. defenses arent really tripling dirk plus its not like their running plays for josh. josh just does the dirty work and its helps more than dirk in most cases. jason terry and josh are the only reason the mavs have a winning record this season cuz dirk sucked early on.
Nash, hes what makes the suns go but he also what makes them fizzle out. hill stepping up gives them a SMALL chance of getting past that point which is why he would be mvp this time.
Actually bedris isn’t the top when it comes to percent. They were just proving a point, as a center its easy to shoot a high % since your RIGHT BY THE BASKET! As any coach, rule number one of a center is do all your work before you get the ball. things like getting position and stuff, your 7′5 center shouldnt be settling for 10 foot fadeaways, thats why his % is low. And your singling yao out cuz they pointed out flaws with most of the guys they name. If you werent a homer you’d realize they gave yao credit for the rockets umm..success? (even though they still lose when tmac is out and yao does good) so stop complainin when they just complimented the guy too.
January 1st, 2008 at 12:40 am
William See says:
Brandon Roy
Steve Nash
Manu Ginobili
Deron Williams
January 1st, 2008 at 1:51 am
Borgs says:
Brandon Roy: Big mistake there; it’s not even close.
Steve Nash: Should’ve been the ‘07 MVP and hasn’t dropped off in production this season. Though, I can understand the Grant Hill selection. Barely.
Tim Duncan: Typically overlooked. Are we forgetting he is the anchor of their league-best defense, as well as the reason the likes of Bowen, Finley and Barry (none of whom can create much off the dribble) make their largely unguarded outside jumpshots?
January 1st, 2008 at 2:31 am
Mcw says:
Doesn’t MVP mean the most VALUABLE player, hence the player the team can not do without? Without Nash, do people really think the Suns will make it deep into the playoffs? The suns are proven winners (in playoffs, just not for a championship) before Grant Hill arrived
January 1st, 2008 at 6:22 am
reezzy says:
Grant Hill is just a trendy choice. He’s playing extremely well compared to the expectations, but Steve Nash IS the Suns. Suns is a totally different animal when Nash is on the floor.
January 1st, 2008 at 8:02 am
bigdre says:
Grant Hill and Outlaw? you gotta be kiddin man.
and this is just hatin on yao:
“So I’m begrudgingly giving it to Yao. He averages a double-double but shoots 48.5% from the field. Andris Biedrins is shooting nearly twenty percentage points higher.”
who else do you give it to? t-mac’s givin up on the team and the rest of the guys just aren’t good enough. yao is carrying the rockets.
how many shots does biedrins take compared to yao? how about the defenses being thrown at him? or BD playing along side him? and the up-tempo offense giving him easy buckets?
January 1st, 2008 at 10:59 am
thamilan says:
Hill over Nash ? Maybe for most improved player…not for MVP ! Same goes for Outlaw over Roy. Brandon Roy is clearly the MVP in the team. I dunno if you were trying to be unpredictable…LAME
January 1st, 2008 at 11:00 am
svigi says:
About the Josh vs Dirk thing : Coaches not make plays for only one player, if they have multiple options,it’s a misbelief. Yes, Dirk is the focal point on offense,but Josh has the touches too. They have about the same amount of field goal attempts (Josh : 464/29 game , Dirk 504/31).
January 1st, 2008 at 11:45 am
Austin Burton says:
MAVERICKS: As much as I like Josh’s game, I’d still go with Dirk. ‘Drew, you remember when we watched Dirk rain murder on the Knicks last month?
WARRIORS: I can’t argue too much against Baron, but a lot has to be said for how the team played before Stephen Jackson came back. S-Jack’s the heart and soul, if not their MVP.
ROCKETS: I’ll give it to T-Mac. Look how they play when he’s injured.
SUNS: Toss-up between Matrix and Nash. Like I’ve said before, Nash is Phoenix’s QB; Marion is the offensive line.
BLAZERS: Come on, man. Brandon Roy’s keeping the 206 on the map!
KINGS: In the post-Martin phase of the season, I think Artest has been more valuable than Salmons.
SPURS: MVP is, and always has been, Tim Duncan.
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
ian says:
spurs
its a duncan and manu
and hatin please stop posting
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
doc says:
how im a homer im from philly.I’m just a realist who calls out haters and fakers