Clutch When It Mattered Most
Posted on December 8, 2008
The last in a series of three posts inspired by a single TrueHoop bullet, I’m back to weigh in on the question of who is “more clutch” — Kobe Bryant or LeBron James?
The overall “clutch” numbers, as defined by 82games.com, seem to indicate that LeBron edges Kobe out in this area. But here is the all-important question: Do the numbers tell the full story?
Here’s a hint: They don’t. But I know what does.
Filed Under Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Free Throw Shooting, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Statistics, assists, big games, clutch, leadership | 18 Comments
An Ironic Chris Paul Day
Posted on May 6, 2008
This first part is painfully obvious, so let’s get it out of the way right now: I love Chris Paul. He is simply incredible. That sound you sometimes hear when watching Hornets games? That’s my mind blowing (from halfway across the country). He has accomplished things few point guards have ever managed in the history of the game, and he’s one of several factors that have breathed new life into the NBA during this season.
But one day, either before or after a Lakers game that my wife was watching with me, I turned on a Hornets game (probably because I was tracking them closely, in hopes that the Lakers could take over the #1 spot in the West by season’s end). Can you guess my wife’s first comment when I pointed Paul out to her?
“He looks like Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince.”
Filed Under Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, MVP, Playoffs, Statistics, Western Conference | 14 Comments
Kobe Bryant vs. Chris Paul: An MVP Microcosm
Posted on April 13, 2008
With the 2007-08 season winding to an end, there remain but two strong candidates for the 2008 MVP Award: Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant. With the two candidates seemingly neck and neck, Friday’s game between Paul’s New Orleans Hornets and Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers promised to be one of the best, and most significant, games of the season.
It didn’t disappoint.
In a game that may have profound ramifications for the 2008 Playoffs, Chris Paul delivered a strong performance. His 17 assists are very impressive, and his effort in leading his team to not one but two come-from-behind surges and the brink of victory cannot be denied.
But Kobe Bryant’s Lakers were at some times supremely dominant, and at all times victorious. And through it all, Kobe Bryant was transcendent. And for those that felt that this game would decide between Paul and Bryant…
Filed Under Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, MVP, Statistics, Western Conference, big games, clutch, leadership | 33 Comments
MVN Lakers: We’re Fine, Thanks!
Posted on April 7, 2008
I’ve posted a new Lakers article on MVN.com. Here’s a quick excerpt:
With Andrew Bynum yet to return and Pau Gasol recently forced to sit out 10 games with an ankle injury, both the Lakers detractors as well as their fans have been critical of the team’s inconsistency.
In recent weeks, I’ve received a number of ribbing from fans and bloggers of other teams, pointing out that the Lakers are struggling. And they’re not alone. Lakers fans, as well, have become concerned about the team’s recent play.
But while it’s true that they have been inconsistent at best, with a disturbing tendency of late to come out flat against the weaker teams in the league, I believe this is much ado about nothing.
To the fans of other teams, who have all too eagerly pointed out the Lakers’ apparent weakness: Thank you for your concern, but the Lakers are fine.
Not mentioned in the article, but well worth referencing here, is a further breakdown of the Lakers season, particularly their surprising success despite a multitude of injuries.
David Friedman’s NBA analysis may at times bear a heavy Hollywood slant, but on this topic, he couldn’t be more correct. He breaks the Lakers 2007-08 season into three separate mini-seasons, of sorts, and analyzes their surprising success in all three.
Continuing on that theme, Friedman further articulates a point that I have long felt deserves greater consideration…
Filed Under Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, MVN Lakers, MVP, Western Conference, leadership | 6 Comments
Kobe Bryant: MVP
Posted on February 21, 2008
As the NBA resumes after the All-Star break, and what promises to be the most eventful “stretch run” in years gets under way, there is one topic that will be more and more on NBA fans’ minds.
Who is this year’s MVP?
While there are currently four names in the MVP discussion, I would argue that only three of these four — Kevin Garnett, Chris Paul, and Kobe Bryant — are legitimate MVP candidates.
From these three, it is clear now, and should become even more so over the next eight weeks, which is the MVP.
Ladies and gentlemen, the universally recognized best player in the world and the 2008 NBA MVP: Kobe Bryant.
Filed Under Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, MVP | 97 Comments