In my opinion, there is only one player that should be considered for MVP, and that is the current reigning MVP, Kobe Bryant. Wade and LeBron’s numbers will wow you, but you have to understand the offensive make ups of their respective teams. Neither LeBron or Wade play with a true point guard that can direct the offense, which forces LeBron and Wade to have to take on the responsibility of running the offense and setting up their teammates. The Lakers on the other hand do have a true point guard in Derek Fisher and run an offense based on passing and cutting which would be why Wade and LeBron both have better assist numbers.

Wade and LeBron have the luxury of not playing with a solid second and third option. After LeBron, the Cavs are relaying on a streaky shooter in Moe Williams and Big Z who is still effective but way past his prime. Wade on the other hand has to look to rookies Mike Beasley and Chalmers for some offense while the washed up Jermaine O’Neal is still figuring out his role in the offense. This forces Wade and LeBron to have more opportunities on the offensive end, which results in a higher scoring average.

Kobe on the other hand has a reliable second, third and when Bynum is back in the lineup fourth option on offense, which reduces Kobe offensive opportunities but allows the rest of the Lakers to be in rhythm. Kobe doesn’t have to dominate the ball they way LeBron and Wade have to.

I’m kind of contradicting myself here, judging by the two previous paragraphs, it is obvious Wade and LeBron are more important to their teams. However, here is where Kobe standouts. The NBA season is a long 82 games, but some games have a lot more meaning then others, and this year Kobe has won the majority of them.

First big test for the Lakers was against the Boston Celtics who were sporting a 19 game win streak on Christmas Day before they were defeated in LA on national television. That game ended with the defense collapsing on Kobe and Kobe finding his teammates, specifically Pau Gasol and Josh Powell for wide open shots. Not only did Kobe trust his teammates, but he instilled confidence in them as well which is key during tight playoff games.

Three weeks later, Kobe dislocates in his ring finger on his shooting in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers. For many of the leagues so called superstars, that would have been enough to shut it down for the evening. With Kobe, no, he simply led the Lakers to a 17 point win scoring 20 points dishing out 12 assists and grabbing 6 rebounds. He also held Lebron to 9-25 shooting.

Another three weeks later, Kobe was in Boston for the Christmas day rematch. This time the Celtics were sporting a 12 game win streak and the Lakers were dealing with the loss of Andrew Bynum. With the game slipping away from the Lakers in the fourth, Kobe hit three critical threes to keep the Lakers alive who eventually won in overtime. That win pretty much put the Lakers into the driver’s seat for home court and mental edge if the team’s meet again in the Finals.

Lakers swept the season series against the Celtics and Cavs, the top two teams in the Eastern conference. Against the Spurs this year, the Lakers are 2-1 with the only loss being a one point loss on a retarded Roger Mason three point play. Against the Magic, the Lakers are 0-2 but at the end of the day, the likelihood of the Lakers meeting the Magic in the finals is unlikely. Against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers are currently 3-0.