Comments on: Knicks 106, Hawks 104

By: Frank O.

Frank O. — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 02:46:08 +0000

jon abbey: I do always like when the best player in the league gets a chance to destroy the alleged MVP in the playoffs, although the only ones I can think of off the top of my head are Hakeem/David Robinson and Jordan/Karl Malone. oh, maybe LeBron/Derrick Rose?

Agreed. Fun to think about. Thanks

By: jon abbey

jon abbey — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:13:49 +0000

I do always like when the best player in the league gets a chance to destroy the alleged MVP in the playoffs, although the only ones I can think of off the top of my head are Hakeem/David Robinson and Jordan/Karl Malone. oh, maybe LeBron/Derrick Rose?

By: The Honorable Cock Jowles

The Honorable Cock Jowles — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:51:05 +0000

jon abbey: as always, you totally ignore defense, where there’s no comparison between the two. Durant is awesome but still clearly the second best player in the league. how that translates to MVP voting, no idea, although the Clippers are making a good case for Chris Paul by losing so much without him.

I do think that LeBron is still the best overall player, but the MVP vote is a fickle beast, and it's not so clear-cut.

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:54:48 +0000

I agree that Lebron is definitely still easily the MVP of the league. Durant will probably win it, though.

By: johnlocke

johnlocke — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:48:53 +0000

Really not fair how good LeBron is. Did you see the chart showing how his shooting % has increased every single year since he's been in the league? The guy is shooting 55% from the field. And if he keeps improving his jump shooting, maybe they institute a Lebron rule where his twos are only worth 1 point and threes are worth 2. And his defense is really excellent. Durant will most likely win the MVP if he keeps this up though - the voters like variety.

nicos: while Durant may win the mvp LBJ is much more valuable to Miami than Durant is to OKC- he’s both their point guard and their leading scorer- everything on offense runs through him and his turnover rate is still better than Durant’s- and he’s their best defensive player as well.While Durant is the centerpiece of OKC’s offense, he does play off of the ball most of the time- his teammates are involved far more often on his points than LBJ’s are on his (sets with multiple staggered screens, Westbrook’s penetration, etc…).And while he’s been better defensively this year, he’s still the worst defender in their starting line-up or at best second worst depending on how you feel about Westbrook.He’s having an historic offensive year but LBJ’s still solidly the best player in the league.

By: nicos

nicos — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:28:51 +0000

while Durant may win the mvp LBJ is much more valuable to Miami than Durant is to OKC- he’s both their point guard and their leading scorer- everything on offense runs through him and his turnover rate is still better than Durant’s- and he’s their best defensive player as well. While Durant is the centerpiece of OKC’s offense, he does play off of the ball most of the time- his teammates are involved far more often on his points than LBJ’s are on his (sets with multiple staggered screens, Westbrook’s penetration, etc…). And while he’s been better defensively this year, he’s still the worst defender in their starting line-up or at best second worst depending on how you feel about Westbrook. He’s having an historic offensive year but LBJ’s still solidly the best player in the league.

By: Owen

Owen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:21:18 +0000

I think KD will win. But I agree Lebron is still the better player overall, because of his defense. And also that Chris Paul deserves consideration, although the injury issues will and i guess should prevent that.

Paul is great though….

By: Juany8

Juany8 — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:20:06 +0000

jon abbey: as always, you totally ignore defense, where there’s no comparison between the two. Durant is awesome but still clearly the second best player in the league. how that translates to MVP voting, no idea, although the Clippers are making a good case for Chris Paul by losing so much without him.

To be fair Lebron is not exactly playing playoff level defense, and the Heat are going to end up with like the 4th best record in the league. Lebron is still the best player, but I think the "other" categories that go into MVP voting will result in Durant getting the MVP.

By: jon abbey

jon abbey — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:30:23 +0000

The Honorable Cock Jowles: I thought LeBron would win at least the next two MVPs, but it’s KD’s to lose, this year.

as always, you totally ignore defense, where there's no comparison between the two. Durant is awesome but still clearly the second best player in the league. how that translates to MVP voting, no idea, although the Clippers are making a good case for Chris Paul by losing so much without him.

By: Owen

Owen — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:38:09 +0000

Honestly, I have a hard time with the ref favoritism argument. But it’s pretty much completely subjective and difficult to bring numbers to bear on.

Will try to track down how many technical foul shots Durant and Melo have taken this year….