The race for NBA MVP heats up

Wednesday March 19, 2008 6:07 PM By Elizabeth Nielsen

By Kyle Stack

Special to amNewYork

The best NBA season in a decade also has the best MVP race in years.

The blockbuster trades are behind us and the battles for Western Conference supremacy are front and center. Now comes a chance to suss out the Most Valuable Player candidates. Here are four of them, in alphabetical order:

Kevin Garnett, forward, Boston Celtics

Garnett brought hope to the distinguished but beleaguered Celtics organization when he was acquired in a blockbuster 7-for-1 trade last summer. Boston already had playoff aspirations with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen on its roster, but the acquisition of Garnett elevated the Celtics to becoming instant title contenders. His scoring (18.8) and rebounding (9.4) averages don’t do him justice. His notorious intensity, unselfish attitude and All-NBA talent encouraged role players such as James Posey, Eddie House and Sam Cassell to sign with Boston, and his stellar play and leadership have the Celtics atop the NBA.

LeBron James, guard/forward, Cleveland Cavaliers

James leads the NBA in scoring (30.9 points per game) while maintaining high rebound (8.1) and assist averages (7.5). Cleveland’s dearth of talent around James makes him, more than any other NBA player, accountable for how well the team begins and finishes games. LeBron’s competitiveness and game-to-game concentration was questioned last year, so he has responded this season by playing with a greater sense of urgency. The Cavs are comfortably positioned at fourth in the Eastern Conference, but the most telling stat of James’ value is Cleveland’s 1-6 record in games he’s missed.

Kobe Bryant, guard, Los Angeles Lakers

Bryant is second in the NBA in scoring (28.3 points per game), but it is his trust in his teammates and will to win that have made this a successful season for not only himself, but also the Lakers, among the Western Conference elite. Kobe is averaging seven fewer shots per game than the 2005-06 season, but his rebounds (6.1), assists (5.3) and steals (2.0) are up. Bryant’s vast offensive abilities draw opponents’ defensive focus to the perimeter, opening up the paint for post players Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. More importantly, Bryant has instilled a championship-level intensity and focus in his teammates.

Chris Paul, guard, New Orleans Hornets

Paul, the NBA steals leader, has become an elite point guard and is the catalyst behind the Hornets’ unexpected rise up the Western Conference standings. His court vision, competitiveness and leadership have elevated the play of his teammates and make him an on-court extension of head coach Byron Scott. He could become the first player since Tim Hardaway in 1992-93 to average 20 points (21.6) and 10 assists (11.3) per game.