Comments on: My 2009-10 awards ballot

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:45:36 +0000

McMillan was a very tough omission, as was Jerry Sloan. But as Matt Moore of Hardwood Paroxysm pointed out, yes, McMillan excelled when the Blazers were ravaged by injuries, but he also underperformed when they were healthy (which admittedly, was a smaller portion of the season).

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:39:41 +0000

I never knocked LeBron for not winning 50 games. MVP is an individual award. Yes, a team’s performance can indicate how good a player’s performance was. But ultimately, it’s an individual award.

By: koz

koz — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:37:43 +0000

Nate McMillan for Portland has to be in the conversation for coach of the year, don’t you think?

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:39:05 +0000

Anyone who says it “wasnt even close” for Lebron for MVP is smoking the Bron Bron stuff. Durant was close, and a reasonable choice to beat him. Durant won 50 games with the youngest, read that, youngest team (not just playoff) in the NBA. Over a 20 game improbment. He’s close enough that if he doesnt get at least 1 “1st place” vote on ballot I’ll be amazed. Remember when knock on Lebron was he cant win MPV without winning 50 games, and people defended him look at Lebrons cast…. same look at Durants… look at thier age.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:58:38 +0000

First, offensively, Wade and Bryant had similar seasons. Bryant scored a little more, but Wade was more efficient and had more assists and offensive rebounds. I'd argue Wade had a better offensive season, but you could call it a push at best.

Defensively: in the end, Miami actually tied for third, and the Lakers tied for fifth. But that's pretty meaningless. Few would dispute both teams had good defensive seasons.

You already mentioned my two main rebuttals. Kobe had more defensive help, namely Artest.

And in the limited time I watched the Heat this year -- and I admit my commentary might suffer from small sample size -- Wade wasn't gambling like he had done in the past. He was keeping his man in front of him and still getting his steals and blocks.

You're right that the difference in their PER, about six, is too extreme. They're not that different. But Wade had a better season, I think.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:46:05 +0000

How could you possibly rank Wade ahead of Bryant for MVP based on his defense????? Unconscionable. Hollinger’s logic made no sense to me — the Heat rank 4th in defensive efficiency, and the Lakers rank 3rd (or 2nd, not sure)….so that means Wade ranks ahead of Bryant??? Wade wanders on defense and leaves his man open and makes bad gambles more often than Kobe. He makes more highlight/statistical plays (steals/blocks), but these come at the expense of his team too, as he’s often leaving his man to do so. So he is rewarded in PER, but his team suffers.
If you want to rank Wade ahead of Kobe, that’s fine, you could argue that Kobe has more help, or that he was injured this year, or any number of things, really. I’d probably disagree with you (in fact, almost undoubtedly I would), but at least they’d be credible. Saying that you did it because of their individual defense is not a credible reason, though.
Perhaps the credit for Wade’s team being ranked high on defense should go more to Spoelstra, Haslem, the development of Joel Anthony, or any number of other reasons (just as the credit for the Lakers could go to Artest). Saying that the reason the Heat are 4th in defensive efficiency “has to be because they have a 6’4 guard who blocks some shots” doesn’t hold much water with me.