This is a letter to Kenny Smith of Yahoo Sports. Kenny Smith of the Houston Rockets Championship era. I doubt he would read it as he probably receives thousands of mail. So I'm posting it here:
A Case for T-Mac (MVP candidacy)
Dear Kenny,
Several "analysts" are already dismissing the chants from fans that T-Mac is MVP. I disagree. And I think you would disagree too. Because for and analyst to say that the streak happened because Houston has "several MVPs" is to be an analyst who over analyzed. The simplest explanation for the streak is the superstar, the supporting cast, and the coach.
Guys are stepping up in Houston - true. But as a player you would know that everything always starts with the super star. This group of role players could not string a streak of even 5 wins without their leader, without someone telling
them before every game "we can win this one", without someone making them believe in themselves, and without someone taking and making the big time shots.
Adelman has done a great job. The team is playing well together. But talking about MVP, the super star of the hottest team should be on top of the list.
A couple of years ago we gave Steve Nash the MVP because he led, Amare and Marion, both All-Stars, to winning seasons. He won MVP twice because without his leadership the Suns couldn't rise. Why should we deny, T-Mac now, who is leading Alston, Battier, Deke, and some rookies to 22 wins, and the top spot in the West - ahead of all the other the teams, the title of MVP even before the voting has started.
Lebron and his Cavs are 7 games behind 4th place Orlando. And 3 just games ahead of the Bosh-less Raptors. In the East. Lebron might be exponentially better than T-Mac. But MVP doesn't have to mean best player on the planet. The Rocket's W's make McGrady a more valuable player right now.
Kobe and his Lakers have lost two straight with Pau Gasol out. But everyone would probably still readily give him the MVP trophy. It seems everyone has forgotten that Kobe can't win either until his supporting cast improved. Battier's consistent play, Dike's defense, Alston's great play of late shouldn't count against T-Mac.
Of course it is too early to declare T-Mac MVP. There are 16 games to go. T-Mac could falter in the coming days and so could his team. But at this very moment, at win #22, the votes should be on him.
Best Regards,
- M
P.S.
What was Jordan's Bulls' longest winning streak? Even the greatest player ever could not carry his team to more than 12 straight wins (I think).
Published by m4rvin
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 1:36 AM. A Case for T-Mac (MVP candidacy)
Dear Kenny,
Several "analysts" are already dismissing the chants from fans that T-Mac is MVP. I disagree. And I think you would disagree too. Because for and analyst to say that the streak happened because Houston has "several MVPs" is to be an analyst who over analyzed. The simplest explanation for the streak is the superstar, the supporting cast, and the coach.
Guys are stepping up in Houston - true. But as a player you would know that everything always starts with the super star. This group of role players could not string a streak of even 5 wins without their leader, without someone telling
them before every game "we can win this one", without someone making them believe in themselves, and without someone taking and making the big time shots.
Adelman has done a great job. The team is playing well together. But talking about MVP, the super star of the hottest team should be on top of the list.
A couple of years ago we gave Steve Nash the MVP because he led, Amare and Marion, both All-Stars, to winning seasons. He won MVP twice because without his leadership the Suns couldn't rise. Why should we deny, T-Mac now, who is leading Alston, Battier, Deke, and some rookies to 22 wins, and the top spot in the West - ahead of all the other the teams, the title of MVP even before the voting has started.
Lebron and his Cavs are 7 games behind 4th place Orlando. And 3 just games ahead of the Bosh-less Raptors. In the East. Lebron might be exponentially better than T-Mac. But MVP doesn't have to mean best player on the planet. The Rocket's W's make McGrady a more valuable player right now.
Kobe and his Lakers have lost two straight with Pau Gasol out. But everyone would probably still readily give him the MVP trophy. It seems everyone has forgotten that Kobe can't win either until his supporting cast improved. Battier's consistent play, Dike's defense, Alston's great play of late shouldn't count against T-Mac.
Of course it is too early to declare T-Mac MVP. There are 16 games to go. T-Mac could falter in the coming days and so could his team. But at this very moment, at win #22, the votes should be on him.
Best Regards,
- M
P.S.
What was Jordan's Bulls' longest winning streak? Even the greatest player ever could not carry his team to more than 12 straight wins (I think).
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