2010-2011 NBA Season 2.0

Off Topic
1061

We’ll remember this as The Best NBA Regular Season Ever. Naturally, the league is going to seize the momentum by disappearing in July, then duct-taping us to chairs in a dark basement and torturing us with months of lockout rhetoric. By August, we’re going to forget about a regular season that gave us dozens of compelling subplots, at least 250-300 truly entertaining games, at least 200 Blake Griffin YouTube clips, multiple polarizing trades, a USSR-like villain in the MoHeatos, playoffs that could dart in about 20 different directions and a heated MVP race led by Derrick Rose, who I will choose to remember this season as someone who â?¦

A. Worked his butt off to get better last summer

B. Bought into everything his new coach was selling, led by example and never undermined his coach publicly or privately

Derrick Rose
David Sherman/NBAE/Getty ImagesYou can question Derrick Rose’s game, but you can’t question the man’s commitment.

C. Was a phenomenal teammate who kept a fringe contender afloat for two months when they were crushed by injuries, then kept them humming as they evolved into a semi-juggernaut

D. Played harder from night to night than anyone else

E. Was the only elite player on a good team who had to make every offensive decision in crunch time because his team didn’t have another perimeter player who could create a shot, but hey, let’s not factor that into anything

F. Was a legitimate athletic freak who needed to be seen in person to be truly appreciated

and not â?¦

G. The guy whose MVP candidacy got crapped on by the entire blogosphere because his plus/minus and true shooting percentage weren’t quite good enough.

Look, I haven’t decided whether Rose is the MVP yet. After three months, I thought he was. His play tailed off a little once the Bulls got healthy. Now I’m not so sure. It feels like one of those seasons like 2007 when there just wasn’t a most valuable player, so we had to talk ourselves into someone. (Note: I copped out and voted for the fans.) I hate those seasons. Regardless, it’s a fun debate and I’ve enjoyed arguing about it with my friends, even if it’s bizarre that Rose – who truly gives a s— about winning, wants to get better and doesn’t care about his own numbers, unlike Dwight Howard (who occasionally gives a s—, continues to block the ball out of bounds because it’s cool, can’t be trusted in the last two minutes of a game and does care about his numbers) and LeBron James (who thought this was a good idea) – became the most polarizing candidate.

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[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
^^^ That NY/MIA series has the potential to be the most exciting of the playoffs. It would be awesome if NY took it to 'em. What’s up with Stoudamire? [/quote]

He sprained his ankle Wednesday against the Sixers. It’s minor and they say he’ll be OK by the playoffs. He’s going try to play tomorrow against the Bulls or Wednesday vs Boston so he’s not going into the playoffs cold.

1063

So why can’t anyone clearly explain THE REASON(S) DH should be MVP over DRose? Seems like a lot of “I want to separate myself from the common opinion.” Scj just write one sentence answer why you think DH deserves the MVP over DRose. Heres mine season for the opposite: DRose has been the singular constant figure that is attributable to Chicago’s success, whose regular season record is BETTER than Orlando’s; a team that has been inconsistent all season long.

1064

Kind of a random post but the work Rose put into his 3-point shot this past offseason is just incredible. He went from making 16 threes the last two seasons to 126! That’s just nuts!

1065

There is no good reason. That’s why DRose will get MVP.

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[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
So why can’t anyone clearly explain THE REASON(S) DH should be MVP over DRose? Seems like a lot of “I want to separate myself from the common opinion.” Scj just write one sentence answer why you think DH deserves the MVP over DRose. Heres mine season for the opposite: DRose has been the singular constant figure that is attributable to Chicago’s success, whose regular season record is BETTER than Orlando’s; a team that has been inconsistent all season long.

[/quote]

I posted an explanation of why Dwight deserves it more than Rose on the previous page…

I also think Hollinger’s explanation for why Dwight deserves it is pretty good.

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Hollinger’s analysis on anything, including his flawed calculations driving his fucked up power rankings are worthless. He is the biggest joke of an analyst on ESPN.

1068

[quote]randman wrote:
Hollinger’s analysis on anything, including his flawed calculations driving his fucked up power rankings are worthless. He is the biggest joke of an analyst on ESPN.[/quote]

I agree the way he derives his power rankings is retarded, however I think he makes some good points.

One point he made that really stuck with me is how crunch time is a two way street and there is no one better to have on your team than Dwight when the other team has the ball.

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[quote]johnman18 wrote:
Kind of a random post but the work Rose put into his 3-point shot this past offseason is just incredible. He went from making 16 threes the last two seasons to 126! That’s just nuts![/quote]

That is remarkable, but the MVP is not the most improved player of the year award.

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Yeah I wasn’t saying that’s why he deserves the MVP.

1071

[quote]therajraj wrote:

[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
So why can’t anyone clearly explain THE REASON(S) DH should be MVP over DRose? Seems like a lot of “I want to separate myself from the common opinion.” Scj just write one sentence answer why you think DH deserves the MVP over DRose. Heres mine season for the opposite: DRose has been the singular constant figure that is attributable to Chicago’s success, whose regular season record is BETTER than Orlando’s; a team that has been inconsistent all season long.

[/quote]

I posted an explanation of why Dwight deserves it more than Rose on the previous page…

I also think Hollinger’s explanation for why Dwight deserves it is pretty good.[/quote]

Then how come I can’t find that post bro?

Hollinger’s article doesn’t argue shit about why DH should be MVP over DRose. The guy has Rose 4th! That’s just plain stupid; how can you have D-Wade/Lebron and Kobe above him? The problem with his analysis is, well, there is no analysis. All he does is state his ranking and make some random, incoherent point that tries to be clever or funny. Maybe that post by you was a only a snip-it of the article but then I’m wondering to myself why you would use that to accentuate your point that DH should be MVP.

I get the whole without DH the Magic are nothing argument. I agree with that (although I’m disappointed by boy Hedo isn’t playing All-Star caliber ball like he has the potential to play) but the problem with this argument is that the Magic aren’t that good. They’re fourth, which is below my personal guideline for a MVP eligible player’s team, but more importantly they play inconsistently. How can you give the MVP to a guy on an inconsistent team, whats to say he’s not part of the problem, especially when the guy is the foundation of the team (the argument he should be MVP). And added to all this DH has beef with the league, he’s the new Rasheed Wallace apparently. I’d be surprised if the NBA gives him the MVP: “He’s your MVP Dwight. Congrats. Btw you’re still 7000$ accrued for the technical foul penalties.”

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[quote]therajraj wrote:
So compared to other formally dominant big men in the league he’s under achieving? Not exactly a compelling argument seeing how the MVP is a SINGLE season award and not a lifetime achievement award. He should be compared to only others presently in the league.

Yeah some of the fouls Howard picks up are dumb, but lets not forget he’s easily one of the hardest (if not the hardest) players to officiate in the league. The guy constantly takes a beating and doesn’t get as many calls as he should. Even if he’s “leaving something on the table” every night, he’s still the leagues best player and most important to his team. That team doesn’t come close to making the playoffs without him.

And lets be honest, what is the real reason for Chicago’s success? the Rose driven offense, or the team’s defense? The defense obviously, so why give the award to a guy who barely contributes to the team’s main reason for success? And yes I’m aware he’s the main reason they are successful offensively.

Chicago would be a 6th-8th seed without Rose. Orlando would be a lottery team without Dwight.

[/quote]

Right here

Dwight’s play is the crux of Orlando’s success. Rose runs the Bulls offence, but their main reason for success is their team defence… and Rose D’s is average at best.

How can you give the MVP to a guy who doesn’t play good Defense on the best defensive team in the league?

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I also don’t understand what Howard’s beef with the league has to do with anything.

This isn’t a discussion of who will win, but who SHOULD win. I know Rose will win it.

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With your rule for MVP being on a top 3 team, lets not forget the Magic play in arguably the toughest division in the league. Their division contains three playoff teams a 2nd, and 5th team. Both mid to high playoff seeds.

Chicago’s division has only the 8th place seed Indiana.

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It’s just not convincing. I know this year there’s really no clear cut winner who’s miles ahead of everyone else - but then again the MVP argument gets pretty intense most season (save the Kobe year, etc). The point being in this situation you basically have to give it to the best player on the best team in the league. Rose has been leading them into success. Dwight has been leading them to…inconsistency? Or being generous: leading them by carrying them to an okay position.

But I can see it both ways. The Magic’s record is probably the biggest reason he’s not winning it.

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[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
It’s just not convincing. I know this year there’s really no clear cut winner who’s miles ahead of everyone else - but then again the MVP argument gets pretty intense most season (save the Kobe year, etc). The point being in this situation you basically have to give it to the best player on the best team in the league. Rose has been leading them into success. Dwight has been leading them to…inconsistency? Or being generous: leading them by carrying them to an okay position.

But I can see it both ways. The Magic’s record is probably the biggest reason he’s not winning it.[/quote]

lol dude they’re 21 games over .500. Their record is certainly not killing his chances IMO.

I think this is a big reason he’s not going to win: Video - TSN

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[quote]therajraj wrote:

lol dude they’re 21 games over .500. Their record is certainly not killing his chances IMO.

I think this is a big reason he’s not going to win: Video - TSN
[/quote]

How do you figure? 41 wins is a .500 season. They’ve got 51 wins.

They’ve also got the 8th best record in the league. I don’t see it as that impressive. If he at least carried his team to #1 in the Southeast conference then maybe.

His stats are good. But it’s easier to get good stats as a center when the rest of your team blows. It works both ways.

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[quote]sam_sneed wrote:

[quote]therajraj wrote:

lol dude they’re 21 games over .500. Their record is certainly not killing his chances IMO.

I think this is a big reason he’s not going to win: Video - TSN
[/quote]

How do you figure? 41 wins is a .500 season. They’ve got 51 wins.

They’ve also got the 8th best record in the league. I don’t see it as that impressive. If he at least carried his team to #1 in the Southeast conference then maybe.

His stats are good. But it’s easier to get good stats as a center when the rest of your team blows. It works both ways.[/quote]

In terms of being the MVP? Of course not. A top 4 finish in your conference is adequate for winning the MVP IMO. I only take issue when people in this thread wanted to hand Kobe the MVP when his team finished 7th and 11th which was pretty ridiculous.

lol - what bullshit. “it’s easier to get good stats when your team blows.” Lets not forget he’s shooting 60%… while your buddy Rose is shooting 47% on a much better team. Not exactly “easier” when your teammates suck.

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[quote]therajraj wrote:

lol - what bullshit. “it’s easier to get good stats when your team blows.” Lets not forget he’s shooting 60%… while your buddy Rose is shooting 47% on a much better team. Not exactly “easier” when your teammates suck.
[/quote]

Really? You’re arguing that it is not easier to get better stats when your teammates aren’t as good?

And please don’t tell me you just compared the shooting percentage of a point guard vs a center.

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[quote]sam_sneed wrote:

[quote]therajraj wrote:

lol - what bullshit. “it’s easier to get good stats when your team blows.” Lets not forget he’s shooting 60%… while your buddy Rose is shooting 47% on a much better team. Not exactly “easier” when your teammates suck.
[/quote]

Really? You’re arguing that it is not easier to get better stats when your teammates aren’t as good?

And please don’t tell me you just compared the shooting percentage of a point guard vs a center.[/quote]

At his rate of efficiency? HELL NO. Dwight Howard draws a lot of double teams.

Of course I compared them, when it comes to the MVP how can you not?