[Lefty Noob]

We've been going back and forth on this is a couple of different threads, but I figured we might as well give the argument center stage in one of its own. So, who are your candidates for the 2006 NBA Most Valuable Player?

Here's my candidates, in no particular order:
Kobe Bryant - 35.1 points, 4.6 assists, 5.3 boards per game
LeBron James - 31.7 points, 6.7 assists, 7.2 boards per game
Allen Iverson - 33.0 points, 7.3 assists, 3.3 boards per game
Gilbert Arenas - 29.2 points, 6.1 assists, 3.5 boards per game
Dwayne Wade - 27.5 points, 6.8 assists, 5.8 boards per game
Elton Brand - 25.0 points, 2.6 assists, 10.1 boards per game
Kevin Garnett - 21.8 points, 4.1 assists, 12.7 boards per game
Shawn Marion - 21.4 points, 1.8 assists, 12.1 boards per game
Steve Nash - 19.3 points, 10.4 assists, 4.2 boards per game

I picked these guys because they meet one of two criteria: they're either averaging at least 25 points per game and at least 5 assists or rebounds per game, or they're averaging at least 20 points per game and 10 assists or rebounds per game. The only exception is Nash, who gets the nomination because he leads the NBA in assists.

Now, using this to weed down the candidates and then looking at their individual contributions to their teams, I'd have to say that my favorites would be LeBron, with A.I. second and then maybe Elton Brand third.

What about everyone else? Who is your MVP?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

No mention of Mr. Paul Pierce I see...tisk, tisk... he's on par with Iverson or Arenas...can't blame him for the rest of the team...

[Lefty Noob]

My fault -- Pierce, with 26.9 points, 4.8 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game fits the 25 points per game and at least 5 assists or rebounds per game criteria. So does Carmello Anthony (26.8, 2.6, 5.0) and Dirk Nowitzki (26.6, 2.8, 8.9). So where would you rank your "All Time Celtic Great" in terms of this year's MVP voting, Gotham?

[desertrat]

Kobe is single handedly carrying the Lakers into the western conference playoffs. Sure he gets a little help from Lamar Odom on occasion, but the rest of the team, other than Kwame Brown, likely would not even make another NBA roster.

[ThePundit]

If I had a vote, I would vote for Brand. He has really turned around a perennial laughing stock in the NBA to a good competetive team. How do we know the Lakers would be nowhere without Kobe? Maybe if he would pass the ball once in a while, we'd find out.

[Lefty Noob]

Brand IS the only guy on this list averaging at least 25 points and 10 rebounds or assists per game, and as you say, he's done it on a longtime loser. That alone should garner him a good amount of votes. Arenas is a bit of a surprise to me. I had no idea he was playing that well this season.

[Lefty Noob]

I move to disqualify Paul Pierce from the discussion, after he fell apart again in the clutch yesterday. One point in the fourth quarter in a loss to the Knicks? For shame. That's definitely not a league MVP calibur performance.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I move to disqualify Paul Pierce from the discussion, after he fell apart again in the clutch yesterday. One point in the fourth quarter in a loss to the Knicks? For shame. That's definitely not a league MVP calibur performance.

I move to add him back in...they lost Wally, and everyone knows that the only leaves Pierce...so yeah, the defense is going to collapse on him all night long in the 4th quarter...Should we remove Lebron cause he has only hit one game winner this year?...Is the award now called most valueable player in the 4th quarter?...most valauble player on a well stocked team?...most valuable player on a team over .500?...feel free to correct me if I am wrong about the award now...

[ThePundit]

Brand is also 4th in the league in blocked shots with 2.6 a game. Do I hear any more votes for Brand?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Brand is also 4th in the league in blocked shots with 2.6 a game. Do I hear any more votes for Brand?

I actually like brand, he won't win...but he's a legit candidate...now about Paul Pierce...

[ThePundit]

I have both Brand and Pierce on my fantasy team. That's why I know what kind of numbers Brand is putting up. (People never pay attention to any Clipper players unless someone is on their fantasy team). Pierce was my first pick so I know what kind of player he is. I believe he's a legitimate candidate but Boston is not winning and the Clippers are. If Brand was on Boston or the Lakers, he'd probably get a lot more attention then he does.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

I have both Brand and Pierce on my fantasy team. That's why I know what kind of numbers Brand is putting up. (People never pay attention to any Clipper players unless someone is on their fantasy team). Pierce was my first pick so I know what kind of player he is. I believe he's a legitimate candidate but Boston is not winning and the Clippers are. If Brand was on Boston or the Lakers, he'd probably get a lot more attention then he does.

Ditto, I have had brand on my fantasy team often...he seems to do a lot of things well...but the stigma of being a Clipper is hard to shake.

[DrCool]

My vote would be Lebron. He is (at least in my opinion) the best player in the league right now. He can score, get rebounds, makes his teammates better, and has his team in the playoffs. Give him the award.

Pierce and Brand are both great players but don't think they will be getting any hardware anytime soon.

[Lefty Noob]

What I'm dying to find, but no one seems to have the stat, is the 2005-06 NBA leaders in fourth-quarter scoring. Just out of curiosity, you know? But as I said before, I'm leaning towards either LeBron or A.I. - especially after I learned that they were also 1-2 in minutes right now (that'll change, though, as James is expected to see less playing time so he can rest up for the playoffs).

[ThePundit]

Kobe should be second fiddle to Garnett - not the other way around.