Three-Player Race for the 2009 NBA MVP

Can Kobe look to repeat after his 2007-2008 MVP season?

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We are looking at one of the closest NBA MVP races in recent memory. For most of the season, it has been a two horse race between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. But in the last few weeks, a new candidate has entered the picture: Dwayne Wade.

After scoring 50 points in a loss in Orlando on February 22nd, Wade has topped the 40 point mark five more times, including 46, 48, and 50 – against New York, Chicago, and Utah, respectively. In the win in Utah on March 14th, Wade hade a line of 50 pts, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks in 52 minutes. That’s quite a game.

LeBron James is fired up and looking to take the Cavs back to the NBA finals.

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As of now, their stat averages look something like this:

Dwyane Wade: 29.9 ppg, 7.6 apg, 5.1 rpg, 2.28 spg 49.8 FG%
LeBron James: 28.5 ppg, 7.2 apg, 7.5 rpg, 1.76 spg, 48.7 FG%
Kobe Bryant: 28.0 ppg, 4.9 apg, 5.4 rpg, 1.27 spg, 47.5 FG%

The winner of the MVP will be decided over the next month. Each has their own case:

Right now, Kobe Bryant is the most skilled basketball player on the planet. He is fundamentally sound and plays with a drive and passion that is contagious. He hits shots that no one is supposed to be able to make, and can absolutely take over games when needed.

On the other hand, LeBron James is the most physically dominant player. No other player in the league now can match his athleticism, bar none. He can affect the game with his physical tools in away that only Shaq and Wilt Chamberlain have been able to do prior. Has a pretty lethal skill set to boot, and his outside and midrange game has become much more respectable over past years.

Dwayne Wade has been making a case for himself with his play of late.

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However, if Dwayne Wade is able to continue playing as well as he has recently, he may turn out to be a lot of people’s top pick for MVP. People seem to forget that he was the Finals MVP when Miami won it all a few years back, not Shaquille O’neal. After several injuries, he is back in a big way. Oh, and the guy is the most impressive shot blocker 6′4” and under of all time.

Who will actually win it?

LeBron James has the edge as of now, and it’s his award to lose. With all of the strong talent in L.A., Kobe will probably have to have more impressive personal efforts – but I don’t see that happening. He seems to be committed to the team philosophy for once, which may actually hurt his MVP chances (It didn’t last year, but it will take a lot to overcome what James has done this season). Dwayne Wade has comparable numbers to James – perhaps even arguably better, with slightly more scoring and assists and a higher FG%, but it will be about getting wins. If the Heat manage to have a better record than the Cavs over the remainder of the season, Wade should win.

Thoughts?