Athos, Porthos, and Aramis a.k.a. Kobe, LeBron, and D-Wade
By Adio B. Royster
THE PHOENIX
The Phoenix sees Lebron James rising over Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade for the '09 MVP
LeBron. Kobe. D-Wade.
When I hear those three names, I think of a great marketing platform for the NBA. They’re all in capes, musketeer hats and fencing swords. (Patent pending). For now, just consider it the battle for the MVP award for 2009: “One award for all, but only deserving of one.”
Kobe “Where’s the Beef?” Bryant. The man most commonly associated with the Los Angeles Lakers (post-Shaquille O’Neal, anyway). Kobe has been described as the best all-around guard in the NBA. I can’t really say LeBron is, because he plays every position but center. Kobe has led the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference for the second straight year and … But he is not my MVP vote.
Dwyane Wade will get his awards. The scoring title should be just enough to keep Wade happy for the playoff months and the offseason. He has a ring. He has a Finals MVP award. He SHOULD get the Defensive Player of the Year award, as he broke the record for blocked shots by a guard (106). He’ll probably get his money, too, which is equally important. There’s a certain comfort in knowing you are the difference between a team winning 15 games in 2007-08 and a team winning 43 games in ‘08-09. How much is a +28 win differential worth? I guess we’ll find out in 2010.
Too often, the most valuable player gets mistaken for the most valuable player on a team. D-Wade unfortunately falls under this category because he’s Miami’s MVP, not the NBA’s. Kobe’s in this category, too. Clearly, he is the Lakers’ MVP. My friend Jeremy wanted me to admit that Pau Gasol meant more to the Lakers than Kobe Bryant. We then proceeded to get in a Rowdy Roddy Piper/Keith David style fight a la “They Live.” “PUT THE GLASSES ON!” … Obviously, I won that argument.
I digress from the point of this article, though. My apologies. Seasoned veterans of my stories know that I’m vulnerable to tangents. Anyway …
I do have to admit that there is clearly one player out of the three that transcends the sport. When he steps on the floor, he has more impact both on and off the court than anyone. Since I’ve already kinda spilled the beans, anyway, I won’t keep you in suspense any more. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, your 2009 NBA MVP … Mr. LeBron James.
On the court, let’s face it. The guy is a beast. 6-foot-8, 250 pounds. There’s nothing funnier than watching a scrub center stand in the lane when LeBron is driving and then watching an ole move two seconds before LeBron throws it down. Seriously, how many basketball posters and cards feature LeBron James dunking on the dome of the Greg Ostertags of the world? I don’t know how many times I need to explain this. When LeBron James is coming down the lane … MOVE OR BE EMBARRASSED! I’m just waiting patiently for the Vince Carter/Frederik Weis moment in LeBron James’ career. Hmm … Hasheem Thabeet is headed to the NBA next year. I might get my wish.
Statistically, he’s redonkulous. He leads the Cavaliers in five different categories: total points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Know how many others have done that? THREE! Dave Cowens in ‘78, Scottie Pippen in ‘95 and Kevin Garnett in ‘03.
Oh wait, there’s more. This year, he became first person to be top three in scoring (28.8) AND top 25 in rebounds (7.6), blocks (1.15), assists (7.2) and steals (1.69). By the way, he shoots almost 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. Do you need more? I think I can stop now with the offensive stats. They’re impressive. Moving on.
I like Wade for Defensive Player of the Year, but LeBron is 1A. If either win the award, I wouldn’t be surprised. Every night, LeBron guards the best player on the opposing team. I love LeBron/Kobe match-ups. I love LeBron/Paul Pierce match-ups. I remember one specific game where LeBron was sent to guard Andre Iguodala, and “A.I. v. 2.0″ shot 1 of 13 from the field with about 8 million turnovers. Part of his defensive stats should go to Mo Williams’ offense, though. For whatever reason, you don’t spend as much energy when there’s a legitimate No. 2 scoring threat on the floor.
Let’s be honest. I’ve been saying this for years, but before the “Big Three” came along in Beantown, LeBron James was the only thing keeping the Eastern Conference relevant. After Detroit won the title in 2004, the Eastern Conference fell into obscurity faster and harder than Cuba Gooding Jr. post-”Jerry Maguire.” You keep thinking the conference will bounce back, but then “Boat Trip” comes out. (NOTE: I deem the Miami title was complete aberration because … c’mon … did anyone really think Dallas was going to win that series?) LeBron makes you think about the possibility that the Eastern Conference can do something against the powerhouses of the Western Conference (i.e. the Lakers).
Equally important is what LeBron does for the greater Cleveland area. Look at what that city has become since LeBron entered the league. He has single-handedly resurrected that town from the depths of “Michael Jordan over Craig Ehlo” hell. He is one NBA Championship away from turning “The Drive” into what LeBron James did in the NBA Finals against the Lakers when Pau Gasol refused to get out of the way, not what Elway did to the Browns in the AFC Championship. Count how many times he has stated he wants to change the attitude of the city? Cleveland used to be just as bad as Boston pre-2004 World Series Championship and present-day Wrigley Area. Now, Cleveland has the hope factor … which may or may not be the most powerful force in town right now.
What I love about my life right now is the fact I get to watch three of the best basketball players of my generation after seeing some of the greatest combination of players from the ’80s and ’90s: Magic, Bird, Jordan, Erving (to a lesser extent because he was at the tail end of his career), Isaiah, Shaq, Duncan … the list is endless. This year’s MVP race contains quite possibly one of the greatest trios of all time. I kinda wish that Dwight Howard was in the mix. That would have made it interesting.
For the time being, I’m happy with what I’m given.
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