by Charles Coughlin

Created on: February 19, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

With the All-Star break over, you will begin hearing talks about the NBA Most Valuable Player award. Who is the most deserving candidate?

Steve Nash: two-time defending NBA Most Valuable Player and leading the NBA in assists. Not to mention, he's putting up better statistics this year than he has in the past two seasons. This season the Phoenix Suns are 2-4 without Steve Nash in the lineup and 37-8 with him. Sounds like he's the most valuable player on their roster.

Dirk Nowitzki: emotional and physical leader of the team with the best record in the NBA. Dirk Nowitzki is ranked among the top ten in categories such as: points per game, free throw percentage, free throw attempts, free throws made, field goal attempts, field goals made, defensive rebounds, double-doubles, and efficiency. In seasons past, one of the arguments against Dirk was that he was a 7' footer who played like he was 6'6". All of that has changed. He lead the Dallas Mavericks to the finals last year and looks as though he's ready to do it again.

Lebron James: the future of the NBA. The man nicknamed, "King James," has been one of the most impressive young players the NBA has seen in years. If there's a player in the east not named Dwyane Wade who deserves this award, its Lebron. The argument against him is strong though. His stats are down and his Cleveland Cavs are ranked second in the not so spectacular eastern conference. I'm not one to promote conspiracies, but if Lebron James wins this award its because the league is looking to promote their poster child.

Dwyane Wade: last season's NBA finals MVP. It seems almost irrelevant now, because it was last year. Wade did the same thing for the Heat that Kobe Bryant did for the Lakers. Be Shaq's sidekick and bring home the trophy. Wade is averaging career highs in point per game, assists per game, and free throw percentage. His best year yet may not be good enough. His team is currently ranked as the 8th seed in the eastern conference. Apparently flash needs his big daddy to be the dominant force he was. Good? definitely. 2006-07 NBA MVP? No.

Kobe Bryant: 2007 All-Star game MVP. It seems as though ever since Kobe Bryant changed his number from 8 to 24, he is playing like a team player. The Lakers, as a team, have improved their record in each of the last two seasons and it appears they're on pace to improve once again this season. Although his team play has improved, the Lakers still sit at the 6th seeded team in the western conference as of today.

If I had to pick my NBA MVP as of today. I would pick Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavs have the best record out of all of the teams listed above and Dirk is playing out of his mind. Here's the breakdown:

5. Dwyane Wade
4. Kobe Bryant
3. Lebron James
2. Steve Nash
1. Dirk Nowitzki

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