http://slamonline.com/online/2008/02/the-real-franchise-players/

-As far as Kobe is concerned, he has been great, but I just can’t cheer for somebody that throws his teammates under the bus at any given moment because things aren’t going his way. He’s been fine for most of this season because his teammates are living up to their potential, but if he would have just been patient he would have seen that he had more talent and help around him then what he knew. The nonsense that he did this summer was NOT cute and people don’t forget about just because someone is playing well. He’s a great player…but he makes it extremely hard for people to cheer for him and want to wish him the best.

The Lakers success is a result of the development of the individual players around Kobe (probably as a result of them just being tired of hearing him b*tching all the time) … not because his presense is so inspirational that it makes them better. That is what K.G did for Boston, theres a difference. They certainly need Kobe, no doubt about that, but Bynum at the begging of the year was great, the addition of Derik Fisher and his leadership has been great, the perimeter shooters development has been great. So everyone has just developed and stepped up. The end.

-Lebron, for me has handled his situation with his teammates far better then Kobe. We all know that Lebron needs help, but he has sucked it up and went out there and played the game like the BEAST that he is and carried that team on his back. Which to me is far more impressive then somebody who has way more help around them. It could be because Lebron may be planning his escape in a few years…Hello MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.

-CP3 has been great as well. I think his impact on his team is almost similar to Lebrons, but with more talent. It’s obvious that team goes as he goes. He has been a true leader this year and within the next few years will probably be the BEST PG in the L. I say “probably” because you can’t leave out Derin Williams.

-Dwight was a BEAST at the beggining of the year and is still playing great, but I think at this point the other players mentioned are ahead of him. Also, I sort of feel like the MAGICS success is a collective effort on all parts.

i gots no problem with big z. he does what he does the way he does it. more power to big z. but he slow and clogs up the driving lanes for their guards. but i guess it don’t matter since none of their guards know how to drive the lane anyway.

face it dog, they suck.
if they had matched up with a healthy wiz squad last yr, cavs wouldn’t have been out the 1st round.

It ain’t right that Kobe hasn’t won the award yet

They also have Big Z, on of the top 3 centers in the east.

They have Larry Hughes, plays good D and he’s a even better offensive wing player, dude was even a star with the Wizards.

They got premier three point shooters in Gibson, Damon Jones, and Donyell Marshall who shares the record for most 3′s with Kobe.

Most importantly, LeBron has the green light to run the floor however he wants.

ppl need to stop hating and start appreciating kobe for his greatness on the court.

cp3 is all right. we will see how they finish out. he is the new flavor of the week, so we will see how long this “hype” lasts.

whn lebron stops biting his fingernails like a 5 year old, and start shooting the bball and playing smarter and stop crying about his lack of help instead of going with what he has and try and to make his teammates better, then he should be mentioned in the mvp race and one of the top tier players in the nba. until then, stop with the nonsense that is lebron james.

kobe all the way!!

Chris will most def. be in the mix, you would have to be such a lame to not see what Chris has been doing. I think no matter how it goes someone is going to get that fresh snub.

Everyone knows the main candidates I think who is the dark horse candidates is more interesting.
I think if Denver got on a roll, then A.I. could be a dark horse candidate.