Chris Paul could be the player to beat as the MVP

Posted by Kyle Stack under Main

I have stated my case for Kobe Bryant to win the MVP here on Slam Dunk Central, but I have to admit that Chris Paul is becoming as MVP-worthy as anyone in the NBA.

Kobe, LeBron James and Kevin Garnett have been his biggest competitors to the award all season. Garnett has really fallen back in the pack even though the Celtics have maintained the Association?s best record, partly due to his missing games. The main culprit is that Boston is so good they are nearly cruising under radar. They?re not creating excitement, just going about their business of winning games.

Kobe might bow out of the race soon if the Lakers don?t reclaim their position atop the Western Conference mountain. As great as Kobe has performed, voters will dock him first-place votes if the Lakers struggle to win games without the injured Pau Gasol.

James is chugging right along in Cleveland, but he really isn?t doing anything different for the Cavs than what we have seen the last couple years. We are very spoiled to expect what we do from James, but that is the precedent he has set.

Tracy McGrady is becoming a popular candidate due to Houston?s 22-game winning streak, but why can?t people understand he deserves nothing more than the Player of the Month award for March? I can?t understand the logic in giving a season-long award to a player like McGrady who has had a few great weeks.

Paul has played incredible all season, but is gaining momentum at the right time. He has had impressive nationally-televised games which win him style points with the voters. But there are games like Monday night against Chicago that signify a player?s value to his team. And Paul, after dominating the fourth quarter with 16 points and two assists and leading his team from a nine-point deficit to 11-point win in just half a quarter, might be the guy to beat in this fantastic MVP race.

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