Martin Gabriel
Pre-Show Stalwart
Your thoughts?
I was hoping it would be Kevin Durant.
LeBron James named the 2011-2012 NBA most valuable player
- Thread starter Martin Gabriel
- Start date
Your thoughts?
I was hoping it would be Kevin Durant.
klunderbunker
Welcome to My (And Not Sly's) House
This comes down to what your definition of most valuable is. LeBron was probably the best player in the league and if that's what you define MVP as I won't really argue. Going by the name of the award though, that being most valuable, I wouldn't put him very high on the list.
Mighty NorCal
SHALL WE BEGIN?
Had an all time transcendent season statistically. dont see were any argument lies.
It should have gone to Kevin Durant. LeBron had a great season and is easily runner up but Durant was just as good statistically. KD averaged more points per game, more rebounds per games, more blocks per game, and shot better from 3 point range and the free throw line. LeBron had more assists per game, more steals per game, and a higher field goal %. The stats are basically a wash so you have to include other factors. OKC had a better record then Miami, they are in a tougher conference (ie tougher schedule), and Durant has slightly less talent around him.
Moon Knight
Original Prince of Darkness
Stats aren't the sole indicator, look at Steve Nash winning two years in a row. It is about all around contributions to the team and your over all value. If you take Lebron off the Heat they are still a good team as Wade isn't that far behind Lebron in offensive ability. Now, take Durant off the Thunder and see how good they are. Durant was the rightful choice.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
Best player in the league? Yes.
Most valuable player in the league to his team? No.
Most valuable player in the league to his team? No.
Mr Mikey Mike
Occasional Pre-Show
Lebron James deserved the mvp. Yeah he plays with dwayne wade but look at how well the heat played when wade was out. Lebron averaged 27 ppg, 6 assists, and basically 8 rebounds with 7.9 rebounds per game. Durant averaged 28 ppg, 3.5 assists, and 8 rebounds. If you ask me who's season i'd rather have i'd take Lebrons over Kd's not to mention Lebron shot over 53% from the field compared to Kd who shot under 50%. Yeah okc had a better record than mia in the regular season but it was only by one game and okc played their starters down the stretch while mia didn't. Lbj deserved to win the mvp but lets be honest if he doesn't win a championship this year than it won't even really matter.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
End of argument, no "but".
One Punch Doug Crashin
I AM INVINSIBLE!
Lebron was a beast this season. Did he deserve it? Probably but Durant deserved it a bit more. Considering he was the scoring champ and pretty much carried the thunder this season.
Poop Master Flex
Mid-Card Championship Winner
I don't think they understand what MVP is. Durant was the MVP, Lebron was the best player in the league this season. Miami would have done just fine without Lebron, OKC isn't nearly as good without Durant.
Rose wasn't the best player last year, but he was certainly the most valuable.
Rose wasn't the best player last year, but he was certainly the most valuable.
Big Nick Dudley
Nick
The guy had a monster season. On top of scoring points and being an excellent passer (things everyone knows about him), he's a fantastic defender, much better than Durant.
I approve.
I approve.
I guess Westbrook and the Sixth Man of the Year (that played starters minutes) were no help to Durant then?
Lebron was the best player this year, and Durant scoring <1 more point per game isn't gonna change that because Lebron is the most complete player in the game and was key to the Heats success this season.
Lebron was the best player this year, and Durant scoring <1 more point per game isn't gonna change that because Lebron is the most complete player in the game and was key to the Heats success this season.
While I would have picked Durant over Lebron I don't see the argument that Durant had less talent around him. Besides Westbrooks and Harden, Durant had a more complete front court to play alongside compared to Lebron. Lebron has Wade and Bosh + Haslem/Battier. Who else would you have over whoever the Thunder have?
So why would I pick Durant over Lebron? Because the Thunder has no alternative option to replace his ability to score everywhere well to create mismatches. Heat has Wade as an alternative if Lebron is out. Lebron is an excellent defender, being able to cover 4 different positions well. But I feel good role players on the Heat team can play decent enough D any specific position if push come to shove.
So why would I pick Durant over Lebron? Because the Thunder has no alternative option to replace his ability to score everywhere well to create mismatches. Heat has Wade as an alternative if Lebron is out. Lebron is an excellent defender, being able to cover 4 different positions well. But I feel good role players on the Heat team can play decent enough D any specific position if push come to shove.
Mr Mikey Mike
Occasional Pre-Show
Yeah and Kd has no help at all he only plays with an all star point guard, the sixth man of the year, and the guy (ibaka) who should have won defensive player of the year.
Miami with Dwayne Wade alone in 09-10 went 47-35 and was the 5 seed in the East. Durant has great talent around him as well but not quite as good as LeBron. Wade > Westbrook, Bosh > Harden. The Thunder also finished with one more win and faced a tougher schedule on a nightly basis. LeBron had a ridiculous year statistically but so did Durant. LeBron is a great defender but Durant improved a lot on the defensive end this season and has turned into a good defender in his own right. If Derek Rose won the MVP last year over LeBron then Durant should have won it this year.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
I'm not gonna say LeBron didn't "deserve" it, because he had a great year. His winning of the award is just not totally in the spirit of the award itself, that's all.
Fire Marshall Bill
Let me show ya somethin!!!
Lebron James is barely a leader. That's why he followed Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh to Miami. No man who is considered the "best player in the league" who runs to play with a potential Top 5 player, and a Top 20 player should ever be considered for an MVP award. Simply by default.
Also, shouldn't heart be considered for the MVP along with talent and actual value? Because James has none. Durant and Rose have a lot of heart. Frankly, when it comes to basketball, I think Rose is fearless. But with Rose out so much this year, I'd have to give it to Durant. Miami without any one of the 3 they have is still a top team. OKC without Durant is hovering around the middle.
Also, shouldn't heart be considered for the MVP along with talent and actual value? Because James has none. Durant and Rose have a lot of heart. Frankly, when it comes to basketball, I think Rose is fearless. But with Rose out so much this year, I'd have to give it to Durant. Miami without any one of the 3 they have is still a top team. OKC without Durant is hovering around the middle.
Fire Marshall Bill
Let me show ya somethin!!!
I want to hear the argument from those that said Lebron had more talent at the heat compared to Durant at the Thunder now that Bosh is out.
That's not the point. You can't involve injuries in the voting unless they occurred throughout the entire season. That's like saying if Wade and Bosh got hurt that it's obvious that the Thunder have more talent around Durant. Of course they do if star players get hurt. If James got hurt, but Wade and Bosh still were playing I guarantee the Heat would still be contenders. Does that mean James is worthless? No.
I am just saying those that said Thunder was a less talented team so Durant deserved the vote more are not making sense.