Around the NBA: What will be deciding factor in MVP race?
Consider last week the start of closing arguments in the NBA's Great Debate of '08 - LeBron or Kobe?
From Chamberlin-Russell to Magic-Bird, nothing sparks NBA interest like a debate of who is the game's best player. Kobe Bryant has held that unofficial title for several years - though he has no MVP awards to show for it. LeBron James is making a big push this season to stake his claim.
After last week, it looks more and more likely one of the two will emerge as the MVP, though Hornets point guard Chris Paul remains a viable third candidate.
Not long after James soared over Luol Deng for a dunk to help seal a Cavs' win over the Bulls last Sunday, Bryant was off and running on a 52-point game in a Lakers' win over the Mavericks.
Bryant followed that up with 34 points and 10 rebounds Tuesday in a win at Sacramento, as even Kings fans chanted "MVP ... MVP."
Not to be outdone, James heard "MVP ... MVP" chants from Knicks fans in Madison Square Garden the next night as he torched the home team for 50 points and 10 assists.
Paul had a big night, too, Wednesday, going for 23 points and 18 assists, helping the Hornets hit a franchise-record 15 3-pointers in a win over the Hawks.
So what could be the deciding factor in the MVP race? Bryant being overlooked in the past could play a role. A bigger factor could be team success.
The Lakers and Hornets are in the crowded fight for the best record out West, which will help Bryant and Paul. The Cavs need a red-hot finish just to hit 50 wins, which could be held against James.
Key dates
Unless TV schedules change, none of the final three matchups of the MVP candidates will be nationally televised.
The Lakers and Hornets meet Friday in New Orleans and April 11 in L.A. The Cavs and Hornets play March 26 in Cleveland. Unless you live in one of those markets, you're going to need NBA League Pass to see those two games.
Streaking out West
Welcome the Rockets and Spurs to the Western Conference's Streak of the Month Club.
Starting in November, when the Suns, Nuggets and Warriors each went on winning streaks of at least six games, someone out West has gone on a tear every month.
In December, it was the Blazers winning 13 straight and 17 of 18. Later that month, the Mavs started a stretch of seven straight wins and 12 in 14 games.
The Hornets owned much of January, winning nine straight at one point and 17 of 19. But the Jazz also heated up, a 10-game winning streak part of their 23-6 record since Jan. 1.
Last month, the Lakers reeled off 10 straight and 15 of 17. February also saw the Rockets and Spurs take off. Neither team had landed by the weekend.
Houston set a franchise record with 17 straight wins, the last five without injured All-Star Yao Ming. San Antonio has won 11 straight.
What's it all mean?
For all the winning streaks out West, every team approaches the stretch run knowing a losing skid as brief as three games could be season-ending. The top nine teams remain separated by 6 1/2 games, and only eight make the playoffs.
Need eight
While a team out West may win 60 percent of its games and miss the playoffs, things are stooping pretty low in the East. Atlanta, losers of 11 of 14 heading into the weekend, remain just one game out of the playoffs despite a winning percentage a fraction above .400.
The Hawks are defending like team with little interest in making the playoffs, giving up 108 or more points in five of those losses. They bottomed out this week by surrendering 135 to the Warriors and 116 to the Hornets. Those two shot a combined 32-of-61 from 3-point range.
What help?
Atlanta is one of several teams not seeing immediate benefits from a major trade. The Hawks were just 3-7 in their first 10 games with Mike Bibby at point guard.
Of course, the two most notable teams struggling since major additions are the Suns and Mavericks.
The Suns entered the weekend 3-5 with Shaquille O'Neal at center. The Suns expected Shaq to enhance their high-powered offense and help their defensive toughness. Eight games later, six opponents have rung up 113 or more points against them, and the offense has been up and down.
For the Mavericks, they are 4-5 with Jason Kidd at point guard. They beat four bad teams (Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Bulls and Kings) and lost to five good ones (Hornets, Spurs, Lakers, Jazz, Rockets).
24-second clock
- Doc Rivers did a nice job keeping perspective after the Celtics beat the Pistons at midweek to become the NBA's first team to clinch a playoff spot. "That's nice, but last year it would have been a parade," Rivers said.
- The Heat continue to sink, to the point Pat Riley has to be close to running out of euphemisms for "this is pure awfulness, and someone end the season." After getting whacked by 25 by the Chris Bosh-less Raptors, Riley offered up it's "so unprofessional, it's ridiculous" when talking about his team's play. The Heat gave up runs of 15-0 and 16-0. "I've got to ferret out the guys who really don't care," Riley said. "I've got to ferret them out of here and just put them on the bench and bring in a bunch of young guys."
Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail: chris.beaven@cantonrep.com