Sports fans all seem to love a Michael Jordan-type dominator of their particular game. But the world may never see an individual reach that level again, not because the players of today's sports are less talented, but rather because there are multiple athletes each of whom could have been acclaimed as the best in their sport had they played in another era. So why just heap all the praise at the feet of one superstar?

There are five players in this year's edition (2007) of the NBA whose play has been at a level above the rest of the league's talent. An argument could be made for each of them, and no matter who wins the MVP award, all of these would have been deserving. Here are the cases supporting each of these outstanding players.

5. Kobe Bryant (LA Lakers) - Gives his team 29 points, 5.5 assists and rebounds, 1.5 steals per game. Has played in 54 of 58 games, logged 40 minutes per game. Shoots 47% from the field, .363 from three point range, and 87% from the foul line.
Takes twice as many shots as the next-highest Laker; forced to shoulder huge chunk of offensive load. Constantly deals with double-teams. His young team would be under .500 instead of in the 4th playoff spot in the Western Conference at 33-25.

4. Tracy McGrady (Houston Rockets) - His numbers (25 ppg, 6.1 apg, 5.5 rpg) only tell part of the story. With Yao Ming sidelined by injury, he has kept the Rockets, who have only thin talent at the remainder of the positions, winning at a .650 clip. His leadership has been essential for them to weather Ming's absence.

3. LeBron James (Cleveland Cavs) - LeBron will be in this conversation every year until he retires. The most superbly physically gifted athlete in the NBA, his numbers (27 points, 7 boards and 6 assists) this year are high water marks for his still-young career, and he is their go-to guy whenever the Cavs need a critical bucket. Without James, the Cavs, 3rd in the East, would not make the playoffs.

2. Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns) - The current two-time MVP has kept his game at the same amazing level. He is perhaps the most inventive point guard to ever play the game, and his contributions this 2007 NBA season (19 points, 12 assists, 53% from the field with an eye-popping .482 from three range) along with the resurgence of Amare Stoudamire (who owes Nash a huge debt in this regard) have the Suns ready to challenge the Mavericks for the Western crown.

1. Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavs) - If MVP means stats alone, rather than importance to the team, then maybe Dirk should be 3rd or 4th on the list. But the Mavs regular season achievements - a current record of 47-9 with three ten-game win streaks (an NBA record)and unbeaten in their last 14 games - is a testimony to his maturing as the game's best overall player. He averages 25 ppg, 10 rpg, shoots 50% from the floor, 42% from 3-range (and at 7 feet tall he takes more of these, 130 to date, than many guards do), and is leading the league with .908 from the foul stripe. Oh, and he plays good defense too at this stage of his career. What more could anyone ask for - individual statistics and team success.

Again, there is no doubt that any of these deserve the honor. But as of now, this writer's vote goes to the German phenom Nowitzki, perhaps the most talented 7 footer to ever play the pro basketball game.

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