LeBron James is the clear-cut favorite to win the 2009-2010 MVP award. There’s even talks of a “unanimous” vote –
As much as I am pro-LeBron, I am not sold on Cleveland walking right into the 2010 NBA Finals. That’s fool’s gold, and I’ve been down that road before, in fact, just last season. Yes, the acquisition of Antawn Jamison definitely helps the cause, but we can’t just disregard Orlando as if they do not exist, and even Boston to a certain extent.
But, this post is not even about that. Being that it’s Easter, I feel it is a time to be grateful for certain things. Wait, or is that Thanksgiving? Either way, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers need to send the Toronto Raptors a “Thank You” card. Why you ask? Simple, Toronto had a mini-melt down in the latter stages of March and let a hobbled Chicago Bulls team back into the playoff hunt. More so, Toronto slipped into the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, and allowed the Charlotte Bobcats to move up to the seventh seed. Why is that significant? Does everyone remember what happened in the 2007 NBA Playoffs? Only the greatest upset in NBA Playoff history, that’s what happened!
The Dallas Mavericks boasted the best record in the NBA in 2006-2007 (67-15) and the league’s MVP (Dirk), they were the odds on favorite to represent the West in the 2007 NBA Finals (along with San Antonio) but there was just one problem. Those pesky Warriors. Golden State owned the Mavericks that season, sweeping the season series 4-0, including a win on the Warriors 81st game of the season in which Dallas chose to rest their stars. Big mistake. We all know what ensued, no need to write about it, but here, a visual reminder:
Now here Cleveland sits, all indications point to an improved team from a season ago, with the best record in the NBA yet again, but – what is their record against the upstart Bobcats? 1-3 with their only win coming on Halloween last year, the first week of the season. Being that I’m from San Francisco, I haven’t had an opportunity to actually watch any of those games, but the highlights on ESPN’s Sportscenter showed Cleveland’s inability to handle the match-up with Charlotte. Sound familiar Dallas/Golden State fans. Guess what? Stephen Jackson is in the middle of all this again!
(Beware Charlotte fans, don’t invest in S-Jack.)
Anyway, as I said at the top of this post, it’s a time of the year to appreciate things, and the Cleveland Cavs needs to appreciate the fact that they currently won’t have to face the Charlotte Bobcats in the first round. No monumental upset this time around. Thank you Toronto.
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cali4dre
chappy81
dyslecix
mceezy
Doin Work 
April 4th, 2010 at 6:48 am
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As good as Lebron has been , talk of a unanimous vote would be ridiculous ! Especially in light of the play of Durant and ‘melo . Two other candidates no doubt who ought to be amongst the league MVP contenders. But then again the insight of the adjudicators is about as valid as Palin’s views on the economy !
At times they’d rather show no objectivity and let it just boil down to favoritism on their part.
Alan Parkins
April 4th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
So if you compare the record LeBron has led his team to, and the numbers he’s produced in comparison to that of Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, you would still not vote for LeBron? You’ve mistaken favoritism with cold-hard facts for the sake of argument.
And I’m sorry, Carmelo was a front runner for MVP to start the season, but he is no longer in the discussion in my opinion. If you truly believe Melo has a chance to win the MVP award, then put some money up on it. I’m willing to wager on that.
April 4th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
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We’re talking about baseball writers here not rocket scientists. So get real ! These are the ‘same idiots’ who voted for Malone over Jordan when the Bulls’ player’s stats were off the charts.
Alan Parkins
April 4th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Interesting, Charlotte playing dragon slayer… I actually like it, do you think the Blazers could do the same thing to the Lakers in the West? A few people in Portland seem to think so… I would love to see both the MVPuppets go down well before the finals!
April 4th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
chappy
The Bobcats are a pretty good team but in all honesty I doubt anyone in the West wants to face the Thunder and the way that they’re playing at present. Last night once again summed up why I think the Mavericks will become someone’s bitch ! They lost again but this time at home. Still think they’re top tieted as a team ?
Alan Parkins
April 4th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I think Mr. Tophatal was referring to Portland. In terms of match-ups, L.A. might now want to see Portland in the first round, Portland owns L.A. at home. But I agree with Tophatal as well, I don’t think any team really wants to draw the Thunder. That team has a legitimate Super-Star in KD, and a solid supporting cast to go along with him. I really like OKC.
I don’t think Dallas is as bad as you make them out to be (Tophatal) the acquisition of Butler and Haywood will pay dividends for them come playoff time. They can go small or big, and have the size to match-up with the Lakers. Marion, Dirk, Haywood and Dampier off the bench. The West is going to be interesting to watch through out the playoffs, and I don’t think the Lakers are guaranteed a spot in the Finals.
April 4th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
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Checked out Dallas’ (5-5 in their last 10 games) win streak as of late ? They’re as soft as a roll of Charmin tissue paper ! So don’t kid yourself about the acquisition of Haywood and Butler. They’ve only made the team all the more susceptible .
Alan Parkins
April 4th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
If that’s your argument, that means the Lakers (6-4 last 10) are just one step above the Mavs in your world. Let’s call them Cottonelle then.
This article was not even about Dallas, but more so about how the Cavs are lucky they don’t have to face Charlotte in the first round. Don’t know how it came to this.
April 4th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
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And didn’t the Lakers do oh so well against the Spurs on Sunday ? Did Artest still have asinine moniker carved into the side of his head . Something about defense wasn’t it ?
Alan Parkins