Real Deal

TIME: 10:00 PM EST TV: ESPN2

Well, the 55-point game did boost his value, probably to the top of the rookie list...but he just fell from that point. I was waiting for him to do it again, to shoot over 43% (which is very kind of me to give him that cushion), and he didn't do it.

In other words, a player's value is based on his teammates? So a GM will look at Paul Pierce in 2008 and say, "Nah, I don't want him on the Sacramento Kings, because his value is lower than it was three years ago, when he was by himself." Believe it or not, the MVP award is supposed to be given to the most valuable player in the NBA. That's right, the one that all GM's would love to have, over everyone else...the one that's worth the most money, the one that can provide the most for any team he's on. And guess what? That should be synonymous with the best player in the NBA, but it's not. Why? Because, of course, the definition changes every season. That player didn't have the support the other guy did? Ah hell, he's more valuable to his team! Now wait, that player is better than the rest of the league? Well, damn, he's the MVP! All coaches and GM's would want him! But okay...this guy just led a team to 69 wins? Geez, that's crazy...give him the MVP, regardless of his teammates! Still not seeing any proof of this not happening. A player's teammates should not have a positive OR a negative effect on his value TO THE LEAGUE, as an individual, among coaches and GM's. Because this is a league award, I guess we have a bunch of hypocrites giving it out.

I'm sorry, but having Roy out there is like the Blazers playing four on five, sometimes. I don't see the point of it.

I'll put it this way: if LeBron is a top PG because he runs the offense and brings the ball up the floor, Kobe has to be one of the greatest PG's of all-time, because he has four championships doing it...and Scottie Pippen has six. Neither is a point guard. Neither have actually played that position, in the offense. Big, big difference between a point-forward and a point guard.

So why didn't Garnett or Pierce win it in 2008, when Boston had 66 wins? Lakers only had 57. Spurs had 63 wins, Mavericks 60, when Nash won his second MVP award. I never said LeBron shouldn't win the MVP, by the way. I said he should. I'm also saying that he's getting it because he's the best player in the NBA, and that's a much different MVP than we've seen in recent years (Dirk, Nash, Garnett), and actually, four consecutive years.

Bringing the ball up is not playing the point. Gibson was the point guard, Parker at the two, LeBron at the three. He just facilitated the offense a little more, but it was Gibson defending the opposing points (Conley, Harris, Nelson, etc), not LeBron.

Roy is starting.

While the loss sucked, Mavs fans have to realize that the Spurs were easily a top three seed in the West. With the injuries, and Popovich limited Duncan's minutes all season long, you just knew San Antonio was going to play this way in the playoffs.

Keep the racist [expletive] out of the topic. Last time I'm saying it.

They just said that the Spurs are the first #7 seed to win in the first round. Really? I had no idea. Must suck for Dallas, then. They drop a series to the 8th-seeded Warriors in 2007 (first eight seed to beat a one seed in a best-of-seven), and now they drop a series to the Spurs, the first time a seven seed wins. Too much Duncan in that second half. He contested shots, drew doubles, and played out of his mind after starting the game 1-6 (give or take a shot attempt).

In other words, of the top five, choose #1...which is the best player in the NBA. Just curious...why didn't Kobe and Shaq win more than just one MVP? At one point, not a single player in the league could stop Shaq, and the same goes for Kobe for about 6-7 seasons. Like I said, the definition changes multiple times. Do you really think Dwight Howard has a chance at winning this award, ever? Explain to me why a team has to win over 55 games for their superstar to be the most valuable player to his team. Sounds kind of weird once you repeat that, right? Assume LeBron goes to LA with Kobe and Gasol, for some crazy reason. They win 72 games. Do you think the MVP will come from that team? Yes, it would...but would LeBron (or Kobe) really, really be the most "valuable" player to his team, seeing the extra help they have? Lots of questions, no answers. Give LeBron the award, and maybe we'll change the definition of an MVP next season.

Wow, NICE move by Hill. Very nice. :o

Wow, what the hell? Rodrigue Wade and Dirk Bird are destroying the Spurs right now.

Barea is so bad.

Haha, I'm still thinking about how we're going to fit Josh Selby into our offense for next season, and how we're going to replace Aldrich, Collins and Henry (stupid Henry).

Turnover, I believe. It definitely wouldn't count. The team has to have possession of the ball before a bucket is scored, obviously. I'll have to do some research on that.

Toronto wouldn't be able to do anything with the expiring contracts, because they would be expiring for next season. The free agency period everyone wants to participate in is this summer's. Just ask yourself: would you do that trade if you were the Raptors? Someone will throw out an all-star caliber player. Golden State could offer Monta Ellis. Philly may show interest and try to hand over Iguodala. That's just two teams off the top of my head, and those two players (Ellis and Iggy) would be in Toronto quicker than you could say the name Jordan Hill. The chance that Houston has, though, will be based on how quickly everyone else signs. If Bron and Wade take forever, Houston has more time to work out a deal because most teams will be focused on those two superstars. Don't get me wrong...Bosh is a superstar, and teams will be interested, but we know where he stands when compared to those two. The Rockets will need to sweeten the pot with one of their starters. I would be absolutely in SHOCK if Houston started the season with Yao, Bosh, Ariza, Martin and Brooks as their starting five.

Yeah, no chance for Jennings. Maybe when he dropped 50+ on Golden State, but he hit rock-bottom so fast, it threw him out of the race. It was between Evans and Curry, and Tyreke deserved the award. Not very many rookies average 20 PPG, 5 RPG and 6 APG on 46% FG. That's pretty amazing, even on a bad team.

I don't know why. It's been proven true over and over again on this site. Real talk, the definition of an MVP changes every single year. Who's the best player in the NBA today, this very minute? LeBron. When I asked who the best player in the NBA was in 2007, everyone was saying that it didn't matter, and that the award was asking for most valuable to his team. Then I heard that certain players weren't winning the award because they weren't a 50-win team. Well, now, 50 wins doesn't mean anything because it's a bottom seed in the West. A few years back, Steve Nash won his MVP because he basically did everything without Amare Stoudemire. Nash wasn't the best overall player in the NBA, nor did he have the best team in the league...but he had lesser teammates. Today, everything is thrown out the window, and the definition of an MVP is changed once again...best player in the NBA. Funny story, nonetheless...and not a single person on this site can disagree with this post.

Houston would have to hand over a lot more than just Jordan Hill to grab Bosh. There will be plenty of teams interested, some that are looking sign-and-trade as well. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Bulls (even though they have the money) will try and offer a sign-and-trade, and Bosh agrees to sort of "give back" to Toronto. That may be the case with everyone interested, to be honest.

I don't see Thibodeau leaving Boston until Garnett does, to be honest...but who knows. I like Avery Johnson, but I really think the Sixers should pursue Mark Jackson or Jeff Van Gundy as well. JVG really needs to get back with a team.

How do you feel about it? Should it be illegal, like it is in high school? Just how effective is it? Read more... http://i39.tinypic.com/fwsuxc.jpg http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/25/fullj.377214c1b4bec89c0dbb311f33bb7114/377214c1b4bec89c0dbb311f33bb7114-getty-98244836mw070_oklahoma_city.jpg http://i40.tinypic.com/2cng46.jpg http://www.nba.com/media/kobe21_600_070330.jpg

I just realized I never updated anyone on this. Wait until the new version, which shouldn't be too long. IPB support actually worked with me on this problem, and the fix is going to be a bit too complicated for this version.

Probably Griffin or Turner. I think it'll take Wall a couple of seasons to adjust to the NBA game, but once he does, he'll be amazing. He'll probably come in third. Consider this: Griffin has already been through NBA practices, and he played through preseason. We saw what he has the potential to do. You can't ignore that. He could walk into the NBA and average a double-double his rookie season (15/10, maybe). That would be good enough for consideration.