By Craig Kwasniewski
Could somebody please explain to me why Dwyane Wade is getting MVP pub?
The local media in Miami started talking about it a few weeks ago. I blew it off as just some homer honks just trying to get free access to the Wade-Shaq party suite. (Why not? They're on their knees for Shaq, so why not blow Wade spread the wealth?) Now the national media is starting to talk it up.
Sam Smith at the Chicago Tribue wrote, "Dwyane Wade is playing at a remarkably high level that should merit MVP consideration."
Steve Kerr, writing for yahoo.com, said:
With the Lakers slumping – they've lost 11 of 15 – Kobe Bryant has most likely fallen out of the race. Also, LeBron James is not having an MVP year. That leaves only three leading candidates in my mind: Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash.
WTF?!?!
People were saying that the reason why Kobe didn't get the MVP last year was because of the Lakers overall record, finishing 7th in the west. Fine, I'll reluctantly accept that one.
Through the end of January, with Shaq tanking and appearing in just five games, the Heat were 20-25 and the eighth seed in the embarrassingly weak Eastern Conference. What's MVP-worthy about leading a team in full mail-it-in mode?
In February, with Shaq rounding into shape and playing roughly 25 minutes a game, the Heat are 6-1 and looking more and more like the defending champs. Again, how is Wade an MVP for that? If anything doesn't that prove how important Shaq is to the success of the Heat? And even after all of that, the Heat sit at 26-26 as an eight seed.
Granted, 28.8 ppg. and 7.8 apg. along with a hilarious Gatorade commercial are impressive, just not MVP-worthy. Save it for the real candidates: Nash, Nowitzki and Kobe.
We're in complete agreement on Wade: he's not an MVP candidate. He's putting up great numbers, but the team didn't even have a winning record until Shaq returned.
Of course, we're in complete disagreement about Kobe, the primary reason being the Lakers have gone 15-18 (including their recent 5-game losing streak, and their 4-game home losing streak which includes losses to the Knicks and Bobcats) since starting out 15-6 (with 15 of their first 20 games at home). I just don't see a player prosiding over a 15-18 stretch being an MVP candidate...particularly since they've lost to so many bad teams. Right now, it's a two-man race between Nowitzki and Nash, with Nash's recent injury problems pushing Dirk into the lead.
I have a lot more to say on this issue...but I'll probably post it over at my site, if for no other reason than to lure you over there.
Posted by: basketbawful | February 21, 2007 at 10:51 AM
i disagree w/ u 2 . and i'm not referring to bono .
wade kept the heat afloat while shaq recuperate . even now that shaq is back .
peeps watching the developmebt in the eastern conference expect the heat to move up the
ladder b4 the playoffs begin.
Posted by: coach | February 21, 2007 at 12:37 PM
I kinda dangled the Kobe name just to get a rile. As a Laker fan, I'll take the AS MVP.
To me, Dirk will probably get the MVP. In fact, Wade's sensing that the media is leaning for Nowitzki also, which explains Wade cracking on The Dirkster for the Finals loss.
BTW - You can't reward Wade for carrying the Heat while Shaq was injured unless they were ranked in the top four in the east. But if you're going with that notion, then Kobe should have received the MVP award in 2002-03 when Shaq pulled the same stunt and missed most of the 1st half.
Posted by: Craig | February 21, 2007 at 02:17 PM
KOBE can't be MVP then 'coz the colorado rape thing was still fresh in the mind of everybody . to vote him mvp that early after the incident is like making britney a shampoo endorser right now !
Posted by: coach | February 21, 2007 at 02:32 PM
Funny...
But the 2002-03 season was BEFORE the Colorado rape. In fact, he probably went on a raping spree for not winning the MVP. So I blame the media for the rape! (I'm openly trying for Kobe's publicist, whadya think?)
Posted by: Craig | February 21, 2007 at 04:55 PM
I agree with you 100%. How can Wade be considered for MVP consideration when his team (which made the Finals last year) has been sub-.500 most of the year in the Leastern Conference? The Lakers are overachieving (even with the recent skid they have abetter record than the Heat), and Kobe is the main reason, just like he was last year. Now, don't get me wrong, Dirk and Nash are the leading candidates, but Kobe should be considered ahead of Wade. BTW-why is Kobe considered selfish when he averages over 30ppg, but Wade is considered and MVP candidate?
Posted by: hokwei | February 21, 2007 at 08:01 PM
I have no idea eitehr, but I imagine it's easier to be an MVP candidate when you get a foul called just for strolling through the lane!
Now that Shaq's back I don't think he'd be able to pull it off unless he puts up record numbers.
Posted by: Ryan | February 21, 2007 at 10:18 PM