It came as no surprise that Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James won his second straight MVP award.
James was clearly the best player on the league's best team.
But that is not the story.
Those who voted for the annual award symbolically told us that Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is the fourth best player in the NBA. That's right, the Black Mamba does not even get a Bronze.
Sure, Bryant finished third in the overall voting tally, but the reigning NBA Finals MVP did not receive a single first-place vote.
Oklahoma City Thunder scoring champion Kevin Durant garnered four votes and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic got three.
While an examination of the vote total on the surface might be much to do about nothing, considering James was a near unanimous selection, but for one of the greatest players in the history of the sport not to place in the winners category at all while still at the peak of his ability is shocking.
Two seasons ago, Bryant was the league MVP and helped lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals. Not to mention he was a Gold medalist at the 2008 Bei ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Kendrick Marshall
Kobe Bryant: Is the Laker Great the Fourth Best Player In the League?
May 3rd, 2010 by Kendrick Marshall Leave a reply »
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