| | Since half the folks who write in to sound off on our NBA Power Rankings, Rookie Report or Around The Rim want to talk about their favorite players, we've created this forum just for you.
Everyone wants to know who will win the MVP award. Naturally, we have our own thoughts, but this week we're just going to see what you think. So after checking out the 10 candidates who we think are the most deserving, we asked you to chime in.
Who should win the MVP award this season?
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TIM DUNCAN
Key Stats: 23.9 points, 12.6 rebs, 2.2 blks
Age: 23
Team: Spurs
He's only 23 and already has a championship ring, but next for Duncan is an MVP award. Remember, Karl Malone won it last year, not Duncan. When Duncan and David Robinson are playing well, this team doesn't lose. And being on a good team is important.
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KEVIN GARNETT
Key Stats: 22.9 points, 12.1 rebs, 4.9 asts
Age: 23
Team: Wolves
Without him, the Wolves would be nowhere near the playoffs. KG can play all three spots up front and defend just about anybody. He blocks shots, shoots well and passes like a guard. The complete package and like Duncan, a future MVP. |
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GRANT HILL
Key Stats: 26.6 points, 6.6 rebs, 5.6 asts
Age: 27
Team: Pistons
Early in the season, Hill was putting up 40 points on a somewhat regular basis. Sure, the Pistons weren't winning much, and that hurts him. Remember, in the past Hill was always more concerned with rebounding and passing. Not now. |
ALLEN IVERSON
Key Stats: 30.3 points, 4.7 asts, 2 steals
Age: 24
Team: 76ers
The league's leading scorer also has taken his team and willed it into the midst of the Eastern Conference playoffs by himself. Iverson still shoots too much, but he wants to win and plays good defense. You also can't ignore 30 points a night. |
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JASON KIDD
Key Stats: 15.1 points, 9.8 asts, 7 rebs
Age: 26
Team: Suns
With Payton, he's the best point guard in the game. He's a pass-first player, but his offense is markedly better than it was in Dallas. Needs to work on that .408 shooting percentage, but as a playmaker, few in the NBA are better, if anyone.
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KARL MALONE
Key Stats: 25.7 points, 9.6 rebs, 3.8 asts
Age: 36
Team: Jazz
He's won this award twice, and he's a lot more concerned with getting back to the Finals, where his lack of success there will define his career. Malone isn't slowing down at all; the numbers are there. He shoots well and even blocks a shot a game. |
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ALONZO MOURNING
Key Stats: 22.6 points, 9.8 rebs, 4.1 blks
Age: 30
Team: Heat
With injuries to Tim Hardaway and inconsistency from Jamal Mashburn, Mourning has carried the Heat to near the top of the East. He leads the NBA in blocks, but his season has been overlooked because of Shaq. What would the Heat be without Zo? The Nets.
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SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
Key Stats: 27.9 points, 14.2 rebs, 3.4 blks
Age: 27
Team: Lakers
Put simply, the numbers are astounding. Shaq is even making his free throws now, making him virtually unstoppable. The Lakers go to him plenty, and Shaq eats up just about every center in the league. If the Lakers have the league's best record, it helps Shaq here. |
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GARY PAYTON
Key Stats: 23.2 points, 8.5 asts, 6.3 rebs
Age: 31
Team: Sonics
Has raised his game this season to an entirely different level. To put it in perspective, his career high in scoring is 21.8, and he never got five boards a night before. It helps that he plays 41.4 minutes a game, win or lose, but Payton's having a dominating season. |
CHRIS WEBBER
Key Stats: 24.8 points, 10.9 rebs, 4 asts
Age: 26
Team: Kings
Webber finally gets it. After years of numbers but not caring, he's now carrying a team and putting out the effort every night. His rebounding is down, but his scoring is up and his free throws have gone from .454 to .753, which is hard to do. He cares. |
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