Nick Miller's May 4 Nickel Dimer intended to set the record straight on the errors of the league in naming Steve Nash to his second straight MVP award over Kobe Bryant.
Miller's main arguments: Kobe scores more and got into the playoffs with less talented players. Although Kobe's 81 points are impressive (an understatement) and his league-leading scoring is of consideration, the league has yet to equate MVP with the guy who scores the most. And I think most would agree that doing so would be a mistake.
After the loss of Amare Stoudemire, most considered the Suns cooked ' at least not up to last year's performance. Yet Nash has taken players like Tim Thomas (can someone name his team and scoring average last year?) and Boris Diaw (same challenge) and led them to nearly the same success, not to mention vastly improved numbers.
Nash has been the only constant in these two years of the Suns success. Bryant has talented players, and this has shown since the series began. Indeed, the Lakers may win the series tonight as I write this ' kudos to Phil Jackson.
But Kobe has failed make them better this season. This playoff series has shown what he can do best ' distract. But what about involving and improving his teammates?
Most points scored, sure. Most valuable? Hardly.' Chris Rapking is a sophomore journalism major.
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Letter to the Editor
