by Marcus Brooks

Created on: April 30, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

With the playoffs in full swing, star power has ruled. Kobe Bryant led his Los Angeles Lakers over a dominating four-game sweep of Allen Iverson's Denver Nuggets. Cleveland's LeBron James maintained a decided 3-1 advantage over the Washington Wizards. New Orlean Hornets' point-guard, Chris Paul sent Dirk Nowitzki's Dallas Mavericks packing winning the playoff series 4-1. Theses three superstars are the obvious choices of MVP. Here are some reasons for each one.

Kobe Bryant took a frustrating, whining off-season and made Western Conference teams miserable. In perhaps his best statistical season, Bryant averaged 28 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. He did a terrific job in allowing his teammates, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom and Vladimir Radmonivic to excel. He learned to trust them. This time, he never bashed his comrades in the media. The Lakers played as a team. They finished first in the Western Conference and have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

LeBron James, King James and The Chosen One are a 23 year-old's self-promoting monikers. They described a 6'8, 260 pound forward with tremendous ball-skills and leadership capabilities. In 1989, the Cleveland Cavaliers were defeated by Air Jordan. In 2003, they received their own updated version. This season, James became one of only three NBA players ever to compile a stat sheet of 30 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists a game. The young man had four triple-doubles this year as he led his team to a #4 seed in the Eastern Conference. For a third, consecutive time, he appeared close to sending the Washington Wizards home in late April. That team, like most others, struggled in containing the celestial athlete. The Wizards Pistons-like, physical play hasn't stopped him for attacking the rim. Media trash-talking added spice to an otherwise boring Eastern Conference playoff matchup. James remained the focus for teams to stop. This year, those efforts failed.

Chris Paul has a burden like no other basketball star. He and his Hornets team represented a city in recovery. Each victory gave more life to the projects still in ruins, the businesses still closed and the playgrounds still covered in debris. Like the football Saints, the Hornets are in a fight for the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. They have a 6'1 guard out of Wake Forest leading them. In his third season, Paul became the fourth guard in NBA history to average at least 21 points and 11 assists a game. He also led the league in steals per game. With his efforts, the Hornets finished a 1/2 game behind Los Angeles for top seed in the West. Byron Scott won Coach of the Year. They celebrated the victory with a 4-1 series win over the feared, Dallas Mavericks. Paul's extended playoff runs have just begun.

If we went by popular choice, Bryant earned this year's MVP. If hype was a factor, James achieved the first of his many signature "crowns". However, if going beyond the sport has value, the MVP trophy should be placed in New Orleans's rebuilt arena. He has my vote!

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