Kobe legitimate MVP

By Mike Kaufmann

I know that Steve Nash once graced our very own Leavey Center. I know that in 1993, he led our beloved Broncos, then a 15 seed in the NCAA tournament, to a first-round upset over second-seeded Arizona. I also know that Nash did not deserve this season's NBA MVP award.

Before I explain why, I will say that I love Nash's game. He's a pass-first point guard -- one of the few left of a dying breed -- and has a beautiful stroke. He has great basketball IQ and utilizes each mismatch on the offensive end. To top it off, he pushes the ball up court on every possession, creating excitement. So, what's not to like?

Well, for starters, Nash only plays on one end of the court. He excelled in the Lakers-Suns series because the guy he was guarding, Smush Parker, decided to take up construction and build every resident of Phoenix a new brickhouse. Therefore, Nash didn't have to waste any of his valuable energy on the defensive end of the court.

And although Nash does run the Phoenix offense efficiently, his stats are enhanced by the system that the Suns run.

Six of Nash's teammates, all having been in the NBA for at least two years, raised their career scoring averages. But don't let Nash's gaudy 10.4 assists per game (1.5 more than the next best guy) fool you -- it's all part of the run-and-gun system.

Perhaps Nash's largest downfall was something that he had no control over. During the regular season, there were seven players that could make a legitimate case for winning the MVP.

So, which candidate is the best? Go ahead, start grimacing in disgust. And even though I hate to see the guy succeed just as much as you do, Kobe Bryant, by far, should have been this season's MVP.

Look at the 81-point outburst against the Raptors or the 62 points in three quarters against Dallas. But statistics really don't begin to explain just how much Kobe meant to the Lakers. When a team trots out a starting five that includes Smush Parker, Lamar Odom, Luke Walton and Kwame Brown, how much success can be expected?

The Lakers won because of Bryant. Kobe was a lock-down defender who also took on the bulk of the offense for his team. Bryant surpassed the competition when his Lakers, who had no business winning 25 g mes, won 45 games and qualified for the playoffs.

While I hate to admit it, no player was more valuable than the man who wears number eight for the Lakers.

Contact Mike Kaufmann at (408) 551-1918 or mlkaufmann@scu.edu