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Kobe Bryant won his first most-valuable-player award last season, but will LeBron James prevent a repeat performance?
The Cleveland Cavaliers forward has the better statistics and a comparable team record at this point. He also has an important vote -- sort of.
Bryant seemed mildly uncomfortable when asked for his MVP choice near the season's halfway point.
"LeBron," he said. "Leave me alone about that stuff."
He then expanded upon his thoughts.
"I'm a big fan of his, obviously," he said. "I just think the world of him. Playing with him this summer [at the Beijing Olympics], and seeing his work ethic and what he's about, I just think he's terrific."
TNT, which will broadcast tonight's game between the Lakers (31-8) and Cavaliers (31-7), began debating last week which MVP candidate was having the better season.
Former NBA player Kenny Smith said Bryant was the "kind of assassin you want."
"The best player in the league is Kobe Bryant because at the end of the game, he has the track record and every time he delivers," Smith said. "Forget the playoffs, if you just watch [the Lakers] play last week, you'd say, 'This guy knows how to deliver in the last 30 seconds of a game.' "
Former NBA coach Mike Fratello, however, said Bryant had been surpassed by James.
"You know the car that is always trailing the other car and eventually catches it and goes past it? LeBron James just moved ahead," Fratello said. "This is a different version of LeBron James. The Olympic experience has made a different player out of LeBron James."
Bryant, in his 13th season, is averaging 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. James, in his sixth season, is averaging 27.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
Another consideration might be defense.
Bryant, 30, is averaging 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocked shots. James, 24, is averaging two steals and 1.3 blocked shots.
"Defensively, he's obviously made some improvements in terms of protecting the lane, getting steals, getting out in passing lanes, getting balls back for his team," Bryant said.
Despite their status as two of the NBA's top players, Bryant and James have never been considered friends. Their experience at the Olympics changed that, Bryant said.
"We had a chance to hit it off pretty well," Bryant said. "Normally, it's always me and LeBron, but we're always surrounded by a bunch of people. In the Olympics, we had a chance to interact, just he and I with nobody else around. It was really good for us, just to get to know each other."
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers...0,2622551.story
Good to see lebron has kobe vote so far. Its good to see that these two have a good bond. I told you pugz Lebron is MVP.
The Cleveland Cavaliers forward has the better statistics and a comparable team record at this point. He also has an important vote -- sort of.
Bryant seemed mildly uncomfortable when asked for his MVP choice near the season's halfway point.
"LeBron," he said. "Leave me alone about that stuff."
He then expanded upon his thoughts.
"I'm a big fan of his, obviously," he said. "I just think the world of him. Playing with him this summer [at the Beijing Olympics], and seeing his work ethic and what he's about, I just think he's terrific."
TNT, which will broadcast tonight's game between the Lakers (31-8) and Cavaliers (31-7), began debating last week which MVP candidate was having the better season.
Former NBA player Kenny Smith said Bryant was the "kind of assassin you want."
"The best player in the league is Kobe Bryant because at the end of the game, he has the track record and every time he delivers," Smith said. "Forget the playoffs, if you just watch [the Lakers] play last week, you'd say, 'This guy knows how to deliver in the last 30 seconds of a game.' "
Former NBA coach Mike Fratello, however, said Bryant had been surpassed by James.
"You know the car that is always trailing the other car and eventually catches it and goes past it? LeBron James just moved ahead," Fratello said. "This is a different version of LeBron James. The Olympic experience has made a different player out of LeBron James."
Bryant, in his 13th season, is averaging 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. James, in his sixth season, is averaging 27.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
Another consideration might be defense.
Bryant, 30, is averaging 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocked shots. James, 24, is averaging two steals and 1.3 blocked shots.
"Defensively, he's obviously made some improvements in terms of protecting the lane, getting steals, getting out in passing lanes, getting balls back for his team," Bryant said.
Despite their status as two of the NBA's top players, Bryant and James have never been considered friends. Their experience at the Olympics changed that, Bryant said.
"We had a chance to hit it off pretty well," Bryant said. "Normally, it's always me and LeBron, but we're always surrounded by a bunch of people. In the Olympics, we had a chance to interact, just he and I with nobody else around. It was really good for us, just to get to know each other."
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers...0,2622551.story
Good to see lebron has kobe vote so far. Its good to see that these two have a good bond. I told you pugz Lebron is MVP.
