Sadly, Kobe will not win MVP. Though personally, I feel he deserves it for his job well done this year.

He may not have put up 81 in a game, nor 62 in three quarters... but he put this team on his back and with a recovering knee, carried us across the finish line again in the playoffs.

I know making the playoffs isn't what we want.

But just consider how tough Kidd has had to work to make the playoffs in the East... WITH Carter... and how tough it's been for KG, who like Kobe, has no one else on the team to rely upon!

This just goes to show you the greatness that is KB24.

Kobe just can't win. He scores 81 points and averages 35.5 points for a season and can't win the MVP. He has the most consecutive 50 point games since the great Big Dipper and he's not even considered in the conversation for MVP. So when he see's that the MVP game is fixed and gracefully says he's not interested then he's criticized for that. To hell with them Mamba, you want revenge I'll tell you how to get it. Tell Kwame to get his a** ready to start playing some serious playoff ball. Tell Smush not to worry about a contract extension you'll personally guarantee a raise for him, you are after all the "GM" Tell Lamar to play until that shoulder falls off and then keep on playing. Tell the rest of the team crunch time is here, if you want me to pass you the ball then hit the damn shots when I do pass it to you. Tell them don't be afraid to take the shot and to stop passing the ball to you with 2 seconds on the clock so you have to repeatedly take wild a** shots lowering your average. Finally remember YOU ARE THE MAMBA. The most deadliest and swiftest striking animal on the planet earth. To hell with this Mr. Nice Guy crap. Go out and destroy these teams damnit! You are THE MAMBA and you are a member of THE LA FREAKIN LAKERS. SEEK AND DESTROY.
LAKERS TODAY LAKERS TOMORROW LAKERS FOREVER
GO SMUSH GO, GO KWAME GO, GO LUKE GO, GO LAMAR GO. GO RONNY GO, GO FARMAR GO, GO MCKIE GO, GO SHAMMOND GO, GO SOCKS GO
GO LAKERS GO!
IT'S SHOW TIME!!!!!!

Well regardless who the NBA names the MVP, we all know who the real MVP is. Lets also not forget to along with his acheivements this year, he also has the #1 selling jersey, so of course, he is to my knowledge, the most popular and most liked player in the NBA. But most importanly, when you have fans from Boston, chanting MVP towards a guy in a Laker uniform, that outta be a clear message sent towards the NBA and it's so-called voting panel who will unfortunately vote in Steve Nash or Dirk Nowinksi, two guys who of course had good years and good team records, but if they were both in the same situation like Kobe is, they wouldn't even have made the playoffs...Real Talk!

This just shows how valuable and how good Kobe Bryant is to this Laker organization and to the NBA. So in my book, this is how I break it down. A man who is obviously loved and respected by the fans nation and worldwide + A man who single handedly put his team in the playoffs while dealing with injuries and drama throughout the whole season from his teammates + knowing the fact that there isn't another NBA player, especially a Steve Nash or Dirk Nowinski whom if was put in a similar situation, wouldn't have had been as successful as Kobe = Most Valuable Player. So David Stern....Recognize!

Sorry,
I have hard time believing this team passing any opponent in the playoffs.
Actually, The way things are going, maybe we might not even reach the playoffs!

Anyway, I think all this mess is a good thing. Dr. Buss by now, knows this team is not going anywhere anytime soon, so our chances to see major changes next season are much greater.

Kevin Garnett/Kobe Bryant 07! bring it on!

Boy, I know I'm gonna get flamed for this, but Ron, we have no real idea who the pmost popular player is in the NBA, and we really can't base it on jersey sales. No doubt, Kobe would be one of the contenders, but since none of the other contenders, (KG, Shaq, Wade, LeBron, Melo, AI) changed theirjersey numbers, those sales aren't based on a level playing field. If Kobe DIDN'T have the highest selling jersey this year, you'd know he's not really a contender for that title.

I'm not even sure how'd yoyu be able to tell something like that, unless you ran a huge poll of bnasketball fans.

Im probably one of the biggest kobe fans around. I've loved him since the days of the utah airballs. I think he's the greatest player now and I believe when it is all said and done he will have accommplished enough to vault ahead of jordan and wilt in the greatest ever arena. But you guys are crazy. MVP? we're barely 500, and might not make the playoffs as it is (I believe we will, and hope to get it together and stun the suns), but c'mon even kobe doesnt believe this dribble about the MVP. Maybe in January when we were 26-13 and not missing much of a beat without lamar/kwame, maybe even a hint of an idea when he exploded for his historic streak, but when its all said and done, (i hate to say this) both nash and dirk have had better seasons than kobe. True injuries and inept personnel have held kobe's team back significantly-I mean he plays with frikin smush and cook for god's sake, his 3rd option (luke) cant score half the time, and I fell the most integral part to our hopes/success is kwame frikin brown(never thought id live to see the day where I actually like kwame and watch games thinking...if only kwame were playing). I mean that says alot about what the guys go to work with, but the bottom line is I'm with kobe--hes no MVP this year, not bec hes not great enough, but bc this laker team on many nights is an embarrassment. I think kobe got jobbed out of the MVP twice already, 2003 and 2006 were both clear cut MVP years. The fact that he failed to win those two years, says he probably wont ever win it unless he averages 60 and leads the lakers to 80 wins.

Neways I digress, kobe doesnt deserve this trophy because his team is very good, and if it was given to the best player on a crappy team garnett would have 10 already. I mean seriously they suck, but if take kg off the team they might not ever win a game. ricky davis?? corey blunt?? marko jaric?

Lets go lakers, get kwame back, make a push 4 some Mo' and lets roll into the desert guns blazing and use some passion and heart to give it to the suns. You never know what can happen in the playoffs, and we've got the best ever in wearing our colors.

GO LAKERS!

I have only 2 problems with Kobe and ironically if he fixed these 2 problems, he would probably have a better chance at MVP.

1) Stop complaining to the refs whenever a call doesn't go your way. Move on. He is always talking like Phil and "Moving On" and Living in the moment, but when it comes to getting fouled, he doesn't practice what he preaches.

2) Work on becoming a 50%+ field goal shooter. He shoots way too many off balance shots with 3 guys on him. While he can make more of those than anyone in the league, it still hurts his shooting % and it also hurts his team when he doesn't make it. His teammates made the NBA for a reason. They can make layups. There is no doubt that Kobe needs to score on this team, but he needs to make it a challenge to do it with half the shot attempts he normally does.

These two things will sky rocket this team's success and increase his MVP chances.

If the Clippers win tommorow and Smush Parker lets Jason Hart win the battle, if is official that we ar edone for the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't care if we do win our last 3 games and we win the first round. The bottom line is that this team has a point guard that reflects exactly the way the team plays. It is embarrassing to be a Laker fan right now when the Smush Parkers of the world can say and do whatever he wants.

Character wins championships and Smush represents us. This sucks and we suck right now until Phil decides to make the change.

JJ

Everybody has a chance in the playoffs, but if Smush is our point gurad, then we are doomed at some point. The league is very talented and it doesn't have time for the bullcrap and that is the type of attitude that respesents this team and it will continue to be like that until the switch is mad.

It's nice to read where the coach is saying similar things to what I am saying. While one's on here have criticized me all season as being too freakin' optimistic, Phil Jackson says..."Hey, teams have caught fire extremely late before and actually been pretty successful in doing so." Is it really being overly optimistic, and IF it is, what's wrong with that? Would it be wiser to be negative or positive?

I mean, it surprises me how many people on here are already throwing in the towel, even though the coach nor players are. I wonder how you all would feel if Phil had threw in the towel back during that 6 or 7 game losing streak? I can't imagine or understand the mentality of a fan that would rather sit back and take defeats instead of continuing to play. Based on that mentality, the Grizzlies should have packed it in and lost the rest of their games this season after such a poor start. I guess the Heat should have packed it in too. Even New Jersey and Orlando kept playing when they had fallen out of the playoff race. You don't give up and you don't accept defeat as the end of the road. You say that the Lakers need better talented players. What message does it send to possible new players for a team and its coaching staff to simply drift out of the playoffs in order to increase their draft options? I wouldn't want to play for a team that gives up because they aren't the best. You keep playing and good things wil come your way.

Some act like that where the Lakers are right now is where they will always be. This is 2007, They are 3 years removed from being in the finals and 5 years removed from winning a championship.

Those blaming Mitch for the Lakers woes or simply blaming the whole Lakers management, should look at the fact that the problems didn't start 2 seasons ago. This did not all start going this direction the summer Shaq was shipped out of town. The handwriting was on the wall after the Lakers finished their 3rd title. The next season, the age and overall limited window remaining for this squad was being exposed. The defeat that the Lakers met in the second round in 2003 was a glaring view of just how far they had fallen. If you want to get upset about decisions. Get upset about the decisions that were being made back then. When the Lakers saw themselves being hit hard with either having too old of players, or too young of players...they decided to bring in two more really old players. That was when they had the shot to do something better. Before you blame Mitch, it should be noted that Shaq, Magic, Kareem, Phil, and even a few others were all mentioned as strong supporters for both Malone and Payton. After one year, it was clear that it wasn't going to work. The same injuries and problems because of age and styles was going to become even more of an issue the following year. Now, while you all are crying for complete overhaul now....the Lakers made a bold decision to do it that summer. They totally revamped the team....and because of the nature of such a bold move...it set them back. However, it also gave them an opportunity to build a more lasting period of success. When your oldest active player is 28, you have a lot to work with. Timing is crucial with having long periods of success. Consider if MJ's prime had started at the same time as Magic's, neither would have won as many titles. Truth is, MJ came into his prime at the close of many others prime periods. He had room to shine without as much opposition.

The Pistons, Spurs, and Heat's windows are going to start closing really soon. It won't be long before they will be forced to make some really hard decisions about the future of their teams. If the Lakers keep moving along, they may be right back on top at just the right time to dominate the league.

Ron,

"1. If Steve Nash was not in a Suns jersey this whole year, the Suns would still make the playoffs.

2. If Dirk Nowinksi was not in a Dallas jersey this whole year, the Mavericks would still make the playoffs.

3. If Kobe Bryant was not in a Lakers jersey this whole year, the Lakers would NOT make the playoffs. "

Your comparison is too simplistic. It is a lot harder to take a playoff team to an elite level, than a non-playoff team to a "barely making the playoffs" level.

I agree with Jandro that Nash deserves the award this season. Had the Lakers done better, and/or had Kobe played defense better this season, then he would (arguably) deserve the award.

Who cares about Kobe winnign the MVP.

The only thing that matters is winning!!!!!

Why are you guys debating on something that doesn't matter when you are on a losing team. Who cares if Kobe gets MVP. Everybody in the world already knows that Kobe is the best player in basketball. What everybody is waiting for from Kobe is the victories and that will not happen until the LAker get a 3 point shooter at the point.

Craig Hodges, Kerr, Paxson and even BJ competed for the 3 point contest.

Then there is Smush who literally STUNK UP the allstar game festivities. I mean I knew we were doomed when Smush respesented us in a skills instead of Farmer.

It is like Phil feels sorry for the guy and tries to fit him into an equation that just doesn't not work with this Laker team. If he doesn't Switch it will be another wasted year for the Lakers when I strongly feel that we can win a championship this year with the players that we have.

Michael A,

You can't just determine an MVP candidate based on jersey sales and yes, I agree with you on that, however, I was only using that as a example on how popular the guy is. Based on popularity, Kobe would be up their to NBA fans. I understand you can't base an MVP vote on popularity by itself, but I believe it has a little pull towards the voting process...or it should, especially when the guy backs up his game. But when I hear or see the word MVP (Most Valuable Player), than I'm looking at the guy who is most Valuable to the team to where without him, the teams success would be close to nothing. Lets not forget that Kobe has proven time and time again, his ability to win games and to make a big difference. I'm not saying that Nash and Nowinski don't make a big difference as well, but those guys also have a reliable supporting cast whereas Kobe does not. And the Lakers are still going to make the playoffs this year. Anyway, that is just my take.

ANGRYLAKER...um... Ron Artest

Forget Kobe!

The entire Lakers team should be MVP....because they make every other team look good.

BRYANT/GARNETT '07

Kiwi on Blog roles,
Hey I got to give it to you, that was damn original. You know when you think about it this blog has some fantastic talented writers. Mike T and his Journal.
Edwin with his astute observations. J.J. with some of the deepest analysis that I have ever read. EX, with his inciteful yet sarcastic commentary, Go Rakers with his bandwagon, Faith who no matter what keeps the faith for all of us and Kiwi the original. Oh Yeah and AK and BK who just might possibly be the best damn writers in the business. Thanks all of you, You keep me going here at my IS shop on the down days and the insane days.

Laylow

What you are asking Kobe to do is Smush's job.

Kobe is not Raja Bell or Bowen. His energy is Spent on putting pressure on the defense. Smush's job is not to be like Kobe, but to be more like Bowen and Raja. We already have a guy that can score whenever they want. What we need is a lock down defender and a smart player that understands the game of basketball. We have 1 on the bench, but for some odd reason Phil won't start him. Then we have a shooter that also can pressure the ball alittle bit.

Hey at least they bring something to the table. Smush brings nothing to the table and I can't see how JJ tries to make it seem like everything is cool and that Smush is not a HUGE HUGE HUGEproblem right now and has been since earlier in the year.

And also JJ if you were onthe post last week somebody that I don't even know went back in July when I said that Smush Parker needs to go.
I thought that everything would be good this year with Farmer and Shammond, but for some odd reason Phil just keeps going with Smush.
Well if he goes with Smush this year, then we 0 chance of winning a championship. By going with Sasha and Farmer you up your chances alot.

Kiwi,

I'm a little offended that I didn't make your list! I

Just mark me down as Michael Jordan.....I never accept defeat because I always have something left in the tank. I singlehandedly changed the blog because of my will to win!

Kiwi....another thing......no matter how old my post get around here, or how tired I seem to get.....I keep coming back!!!!

cheers mamba...I agree loads of talent on the lakersblog team...you can sometimes question the chemistry though haha

no seriously though I think its real cool all the different input,styles and angles people provide...its a great setup.

KIWI...Kobe Bryant...,posesses serious game,notable for sheer quantity of posts.Both are misunderstood and bilingual

I knew you were "The Gunner" towel boy.

And I will take Bonzi Wells status anyday because he's on a winning team. Since I'm all about the team succeeding and not one player.

And let it be known the only reason "The Gunner" change his number was to get even more attention added to his inflating ego.

Look at the AD : One half....One shot clock (blah, blah, blah)

He basically letting you know there's not enough balls to go around because he's out for himself and the amount of scoring titles he is trying to win.

And suppose we get KG. Just thinking about that. His attempts would be around the same as Lamar attempts. Don't think The Gunner 24 is not going to let KG know who needs the ball too.

JJ,

Instead of Michael Jordan, I have a better name for you. How about Smush Parker....Simply because your full of crap!

Just Kidding. Haha!

Kids, the MVP is not a popularity contest. If it were Kobe might have a chance.

Zakee- Why do you think 9 rings continues to start Smush "sucks" Parker? I know AK and BK think there are no better options but I disagree. You dont even need a point guard in this system. You need someone who can play a little defense against quick guards, and make a few shots.

this idea of the MVP being decided by how a team would do without a certain player is ridiculous. If that were the measure of the MVP then Paul Pierce proved this year that he is the undoubted MVP, the celts couldn't win a frikin game w/o him. In the east, if he were healthy all year, they could have snuck in possibly. Does that means he's in the MVP discussion... Heck no! Neither is Garnett, whose team wouldnt win 10 games without him. For the MVP award, the TEAM must achieve some success, and these Lakers have failed. I'm with Zakee--who cares about the MVP, Kobe sure doesn't. It's about righting this ship and making our playoff games meaningful. I mean cmon, my first playoff tickets ever, 4 rows back in game 4! It better not be over by then Lake Show. I expect a game 4 like last years!!!
Lets go lakers!

With the coach not believing his team can win a series, LO needing surgery, Kwame hobbling and Kobe facing a summer of exhaustive fun with USA basketball, looks like the CLippers may beat us to the off season. Lucky.

Vlad Radmidlevelexception, back for his 6 mil, now has an extra injury to blame the air balls on. Probably won't cut him any slack here.

Maybe a Gary Vitti tape job on the Kwam and a Vlad sighting will be just the medicine this team needs to shore up the defense and come back from the dead. It's all been part of Phil's master plan from day one. Or this team will give us a few more moments of playoff excitement before bowing out in the first round.

Gunner24

I dont know if Bonzi is any team at all... I think they finally turfed him from what Ive been reading...I could be wrong...but you are right Bonzi has always been the ultimate team player...in fact Im surprised they are not giving HIM the MVP award for his leadership abilities...

Gotta admit...Kobe changing his number was a clever move...made someone rich...and all the sports articles say is hes got the highest selling jersey in the NBA without including why that might be....way to get some free publicity, sell some nikes.,and brainwash everyone into thinking you are cool and ok to like again..with the end of his shoe contract almost up why not?...this had everything to do with image and money...not ego.