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.