What Is My Issue With LeBron?
Posted on February 28, 2008
I launched this website with a three part series addressing certain aspects of the comparison between Bryant and LeBron James. I then briefly compared Bryant to James in an article reviewing a performance of Bryant’s that was tremendous and extraordinary, yet at the same time commonplace and ordinary.
Next came an article explaining why LeBron James should not be considered for the MVP this year, based on Bryant’s past experience. Then, I explained why Kobe’s achievements in the West (both this year and over the past two years) are worth more than LeBron’s this year, because of the respective strength and weakness of their conferences. Finally, I made the case for Kobe Bryant as MVP, and in so doing revisited why LeBron should not be considered a valid MVP candidate for this season.
Most recently, I wrote an in-depth analysis of how context affects statistics, and how to properly compare two players statistically, given their differing contexts. As examples, I compared James and Bryant… again.
All of this begs the question: What is my issue with LeBron James?
Filed Under Kobe Bryant, LeBron James | 167 Comments
True Shooting: Statistics in Context
Posted on February 26, 2008
Statistical comparison is a necessary evil in the sports world. On the one hand, we know that a player’s statistical accomplishments do not occur in a vacuum. Since factors such as position, body and build, teammates, opponents, and much more can significantly affect a player’s statistical output, comparing two players statistically is like comparing apples and oranges.
On the other hand, any attempt to compare two players without some form of quantitative measurement never leaves the realm of subjectivity. Thus, rational and logical (not to mention measurable and substantial) comparisons between two players cannot be performed without a certain amount of statistical comparison — making statistical comparison not only inevitable, but necessary.
Unfortunately, when making statistical comparisons, many people fail to account for the context in which a player’s statistics are recorded. They attempt to do the impossible — indeed, the irrational — by making straight statistical comparisons without accounting for each player’s multi-faceted context.
This is the issue that I want to explore: What is an appropriate way to compare two players statistically?
Filed Under Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Statistics | 38 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
Location, Location, Location
Posted on February 13, 2008
It’s no secret that the Eastern Conference is widely considered to be weaker than the Western Conference. And not by just a little — the difference is night and day. What’s often overlooked, however, is just how significant that fact is.
Specifically, a team’s location can play an important role in its playoff chances, any evaluation of its current strength, how its current win/loss record should be viewed… and its star player’s MVP chances.
Filed Under Chris Paul, East vs. West, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, MVP | 12 Comments
LeBron & Fans Experience the “Bryant-Nash Rule”
Posted on February 5, 2008
With over half of the NBA season already played out, and the All-Star break approaching, the talk of who will be this year’s MVP is gaining momentum.
Brian Windhorst recently wrote the following in the Acron Beacon Journal:
Garnett’s game numbers (19.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists) can’t match James’ and, obviously, he’s gotten way more support from his teammates than James has. It would seem that calling him most valuable would be counterintuitive.
Not so fast, Brian.
The problem here is that LeBron, in his MVP quest, is Kobe Bryant two years ago. And Brian Windhorst is saying what every Lakers fan has already said.
When Kobe did this, he didn’t win the MVP. Neither will LeBron this year.
Filed Under Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, MVP | 22 Comments