Who deserves the MVP? - LeBron James or Derrick Rose
With about 12 games left in the basketball season, the Most Valuable Player award (MVP) will be adorning either one of the two players’ mantelpiece - but which one - LeBron James or Derrick Rose? Fans around the world are trying to figure this one out, and predictions will be more precise as the games roll on, but till then we will have to wait.
For 2011, NBA is surely going to have a hard time making the call. After thoroughly analysing the all-round performances of the two players, they will have to declare a winner. That piece of the puzzle is the fiery competitiveness between the two titans of the Eastern Conference; the two-time reigning MVP LeBron aka King James and the all-conquering sharp-shooting prodigy Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls.
LeBron James has been ruling the NBA fraternity for a long time and at the end of January this year, the sensational forward was all set to become the third player in the history of the game, to win three MVP’s in a row, after Bill Russell and Larry Bird. Derrick Rose had a sensational season so far, and out of nowhere has ruffled LeBron’s feathers.
There is no denying the fact that Derrick Rose who was born in 1988 is a force to contend with on the field. The charisma and the finesse that the second year guard brings to the court is certainly one that is not expected from a player of his age and experience. Talent wise, Rose is as good as they come; a person who was born to play this game. His hustle, leadership, flair and most importantly his ability to pull out of difficult situations - sometimes impossible shots - in close quarters has certainly developed his reputation as a perpetual juggernaut.
The only reason why Rose has suddenly started to shine is because finally, there has emerged a player in the Windy city who has managed to ruffle the feathers of the indomitable Chicago Bulls and their long lost glory. In fact, the thing that has made Rose’s success even more prominent is that he has led the Bulls to a clean sweep over James’ Miami Heat this season.
James on the other hand is a perennial All-Star who has never looked back since he first graced the courts of NBA in 2003. Although anybody who follows the game knows that there is no better player than James in the game at the moment.
LeBron James has been ruling the Player Efficiency rating this season, which incidentally, is the fourth straight season he has had. He has achieved the most points in the league this season (51 points against the Orlando Magic in early January 2011). Not only is he pacing the Miami Heat in scoring (26.4), he is also one of the leading scorers in the league. He also leads the Heat in assists (6.9) and steals (1.5) per game and is second only to Bosh, in rebounds per game.
Yes, the hoopla of single handily carrying the team to success always jumps in when it comes to MVP. Ask James, he knows it firsthand – seven long years playing in Cleveland.
While Rose has been pivotal in orchestrating the Bulls’ rise this season, James has been receiving help from Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
The fact is that, even in the company of Wade and Bosh; James has managed to create a niche for himself. In fact, in one-on-one comparison, James is already beating Rose in points scored, rebounds grabbed, steals made, three points shooting and the field goal percentage.
There are many stalwarts in the league who perform at a level even better if not the same than that of Rose. Take the example of James team-mate Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and the list just goes on.
The same cannot be said about James though – he is in a class of his own.
With Michael Jordan, the fans wanted a change when he won the award five times in 14 years despite being the best player of that era. If the fans vote for Rose instead of LeBron for the same reason, then he can expect trouble. LeBron’s reputation after the Cleveland departure fiasco has not helped either.
For all the ball-game lovers who think what James did in July was wrong, please go through the facts again and make a qualified and unbiased decision. All he wanted to do was to earn a Championship ring, a feat he truly deserves and would not have been attainable if he stayed in Cleveland.
The question is – who deserves the MVP award?
Let the best man win!
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