End of NBA Regular Season

I was going to hold off a few more days until I gave my MVP discussion, but I have been reading all kinds of chat rooms and reading all the "expert" picks and I just couldn't hold off.

Clearly the choice for MVP has come down to Hornets point gaurd Chris Paul and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Some are saying Kevin Garnett and Lebron James, but it will either be Paul or Bryant.

The MVP award has somehow change over the past few seasons and doesn't really live up to its true name of Most Valuable Player. Let's say last year Dirk Nowitzki won the award leading his team to the best record in the league, but that team lost in the first round of the playoffs to Golden State. If he was a true MVP, that wouldn't have happened under any circumstance. Lebron and Kobe were also among those players receiving votes last year, but didn't seem to be the favorite because their team didn't have a "good record," though Lebron single handling took his team to the NBA Finals for the first time in their team history.

The previous two years Steve Nash won the award, with his first MVP being in controversy because many felt Shaq should have won the award after leading the Miami Heat to the NBA title. I think we have to go back to 2004 when Kevin Garnett won the award after leading his then team Minnesota to game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

This year's MVP is a close battle in many "experts" eyes, but it should clearly go to Kobe Bryant this year. His Lakers wrapped up the best record in the West to secure the number one seed and he has been the glue to their year round team chemistry. After loosing big man Andrew Bynum to injury, Kobe stepped in and led his team until they made a trade for Pau Gasol. Since the trade the Lakers have made a statement to being the best team in the West.

I have been reading around and people have been saying that if you take Paul and Bryant off their teams then they would struggle to make the playoffs. That is probably true, but some have said the Lakers could still make it and I really doubt that. As for the Hornets, they clearly wouldn't make the playoffs at all without Paul. But then if that is your argument you could make a chase for Lebron James. He has had the best statistical season on his young career and his team has been through injury after injury and even a huge trade that completely changed the outlook of the Cavs.

Lebron will finish the season with averages of 30 points (leads the league), 7.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists. The only reason Lebron isn't getting first place MVP votes is because of his team record. Honestly I think they have done a decent job with the long season they have had. Paul stats look like this, 21 points, 11.6 assists, 2.7 steals, he is leading the league in assists and steals.

Yes Paul has lead this team to the second best record in the West, but how long will they go in the playoffs. I think they will lose in the second round, after barely making it out of the first. Paul is the best player on his team but it's not like there are a bunch of no names on his team. Teammate David West joined him on this year's West All-Star team. I'll give him credit, he has had a great season, but he isn't the most valuable player.

Kobe averaged 28.3 points (second in league), 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Those are the best overall in Kobe's career, though his points are down a little from previous years, but those are basically the stats Lebron has had in pretty much every season since his second season. But the fact is the Lakers have the best record in the West and have a legitimate chance at making it to the NBA Finals.

What about Kevin Garnett? No, he is not the most valuable player. He has other key players on his team Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Yes they have the best win turnaround in NBA history, but that isn't just due to Kevin Garnett. Yes they have the best record in the league, but Garnett has other key support on his team. He isn't the most valuable to his team.

So if I got a vote my would go Kobe first, Lebron second and Paul third.

Though Lebron's team doesn't have the best record, he is clearly the most valuable player to any team. He has no other stand out player to get his back and that's probably why he has been having back spasms as of late.

I think that if it wasn't based on team record, which I think is bogus, Lebron is clearly the Most Valuable Player to their team. But for the sake of the "team" rule, Kobe is this year's NBA MVP and it will be his first of his career.

With that said, the regular season comes to an end tonight and all of the playoff spots are set.

From the East: Boston, Detroit, Orlando, Cleveland, Washington, Toronto, Philadelphia and Atlanta.

From the West: LA Lakers, New Orleans, San Antonio, Utah, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas and Denver.

Seeding is still being determined and will be final after tonight's games. The NBA playoffs begin on Saturday. I can't wait, it will be an exciting playoffs this year.

Another college basketball star has declared for the NBA draft, that is Memphis guard Derrick Rose. There are reports that UCLA forward Kevin Love will declare tomorrow during a press conference.

So who would I take if I had the first pick? Well it really depends on who has the first pick in the draft. If it's Miami, I think they should take Derrick Rose. He would be a nice counter piece to join Wade and Marion (if he hangs around). If it's Seattle or New York, I think they should take Michael Beasley. Each of those teams have legit point guards and could use a talented forward to add to their team.

If it was my decision just to pick a player, I would take Derrick Rose. He has the potential to being a good scoring point guard or eventually move to shooting guard once he gets some experience. He is also big and quick and could be a player who is similar to Deron Williams, who has developed to a top of the league point guard. But either player will be an NBA star in the near future.

Well I think this post has been long enough. Let me know what you think about your MVP pick and please leave any other comments you have.