MVP. v. MOP

A lot of discussion is taking place regarding the report that Steve Nash will win his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award. This year, there are a lot of players who could have been considered - Kobe, Lebron, Elton, Dirk, Billups (although I think he is an outsider).

The award would have more meaning if the NBA would institute a Most Outstanding Player award as well. Too often, in all sports, we forget that this award is supposed to represent a player's value to his team, not necessarily the most outstanding player. Joe Bryant, father of Kobe, thinks his son should win the MVP for scoring 81 points against the Raptors. I think he forgets the reason for the award. If there were a MOP award, his outburst might be considered relevant in winning that award, but point production in and of itself is not grounds for the MVP.

The league should institute this new award. Until such time, I believe that Steve Nash is a worthy recipient of the award. He has raised the level of play of every player on the Suns.

Toronto Raptors

Well, the Raptors really stunk the place out last night in their final home game of 2006. It has been a trying year and it's time to assess the damage and see if there is a future for this group.

Contrary to Bob McGowan's comments the first month of the season, (Fan 590) the Raptors have three players who can form part of the nucleus for a team that hopes to contend by 2008. Chris Bosh is the real deal (although I don't believe he will ever carry a team by himself), Charlie Villanueva will be almost as good as Bosh and Morris Peterson will be a complimentary piece of the puzzle. It would not shock me to see Mo Pete go in a trade for a veteran player. Mike James could also be a contributor if he learns to be more selective of shots and more of a distributor of the ball after penetration. Personally, I don't think he can become the player the Raps need and I'd be somewhat surprised if the Raptors pay big money for an extended contract to keep James. Jose Calderone is a good backup and the jury is still out on Joey Graham, but I prefer Danny Granger at Indiana as well as some of the prospects coming out of college to the robotic Graham. However, he deserves another year to demonstrate his skills, but the fact that he is not the defensive stopper that was expected of him is disheartening.

The Raptors have 1 first round pick (a top 8 at that) and 2 second round picks. provided that they get at least one player who can contribute next year and pick up a decent veteran free agent, the could contend for a playoff spot next year. Remember, they have 2 players in Europe from last year's draft who are expected to play beginning in the fall of 2007, so the team that was blown out yesterday can expect to have at least 4 new contributors when the season begins in 2007. With another free agent signing prior to that season, the Raptors can contend in the East, which is significantly weaker than the West.

I'll deal with Sam Mitchell in a later post.

Some Thoughts

Don't worry about the Blue Jays - it's a long season and few teams are great from start to finish. What is important is that they get better physically and be able to compete by June. Benji Molina was a steal!

Sign and trade Mike James. He is a capable player but an undersized 2 who at 30 years of age has maybe 2 years left in the tank. If you can sign him for 2 years, and a team option for a third, go ahead, but don't break the bank. Someone might give you a serviceable player for him with the stats he has put up this year.

Sack Pat Quinn. The game has passed him by and he will never understand the usefulness of young players.

Justine Henin-Hard-On is winning again. Until she loses, I guess her stomach will be ok. But I'll never root for her again, except to lose.

Roger Federer - the best ever - all he needs to prove it is time and by this time, 2008, he will be recognized as the best who ever played the game.

Lebron James has had a terrific year without as much fanfare as he deserves. He should receive consideration for MVP.

Ottawa Senators may have the best team in the NHL but I'll be shocked if they win the Stanley Cup.

Stephen A. Jackson - what a farce. Doesn't have the guts (or brains) to admit that his slam job on Charlie Villanueva was way off track back in June, 2005. What an arrogant jerk!!! Villanueva has been superb and he will have a very good NBA career, in addition to being a quality individual. ESPN should have taken some action.

Good to see that the Florida guys are going back to school after winning the NCAA, although I am a bit surprised since they have nothing more to prove. None are really ready for the pros and have the potential to become very good. Maybe U of Florida really does have classes. Billy Donavan has done a great job there.

UCLA v. FLORIDA

Another NCAA basketball season comes to an end tonight and few would have pictured a final of UCLA against Florida.

Florida lost 2 players early this year and went with a young athletic lineup, while UCLA has been rebuilding since Ben Howland took the reins from Steve Lavin almost 3 years ago. I'm a UCLA fan so anything I have to say right now may be biased in that regard.

This tournament has been great with more upsets than anyone could have imagined. George Mason in the Final Four? Give me a break. That's what will happen when you put freshmen in the lineup and so many teams had freshmen in critical positions (i.e. point guard) that is is not surprising that mistakes were made and losses incurred. Duke and Syracuse both played freshman point guards and both lossed early, although Syracuse has had its ups and downs this year. Both Memphis and LSU, while talented, depended far too much on freshman and had their great years ended by UCLA.

Tonights game should be a good one and the big questions remains whether Florda can handle the physicality (I never knew such a word existed) of UCLA. If so, they will win easily, but I have my doubts and will take the experience of Jordan Farmar and Aaron Aflalo (both sophomores) to stake UCLA to their 12th NCAA championship.

But don't bet the house on it.