Race to the MVP: Manu Watch

[duncan228]

Race to the MVP (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/12/10/race-to-mvp-week-7/index.html)
Steve Aschburner, NBA.com

10. Manu Ginobili, Spurs (18-3)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
21 32.4 20.1 3.1 5.1 2.0 0.4 .454 .383 .910
Last Week's Rank - 8
The Race is a firm believer that the MVP and Coach of the Year awards, with rare exceptions, should go to men on different teams (having the MVP makes a coach's job a little easier, right?). So far, we like Gregg Popovich for COY, so this is more of a "best player on best team" vote. The Spurs really are the MVT.

*********************

1. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks (18-4)
2. Dwight Howard, Magic (15-7)
3. Derrick Rose, Bulls (12-8)
4. Rajon Rondo, Celtics (18-4)
5. Amar'e Stoudemire, Knicks (14-9)
6. Kobe Bryant, Lakers (16-6)
7. Deron Williams, Jazz (16-7)
8. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (15-8)
9. LeBron James, Heat (15-8)

Dropping out: Chris Paul (No. 4 last week)

Honorable mention: Paul; Kevin Durant, OKC ; Dwyane Wade, Miami; Al Horford, Atlanta; Kevin Love, Minnesota.

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/12/10/race-to-mvp-week-7/index.html

[sa_butta]

Definitely the MVP of our team, but I don't see him taking the NBA MVP at the end...Maybe he could be the next Finals MVP...hopefully.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

ducks post in 10, 9, 8...

[lefty]

"Good read"

[SA210]

:tu

[timtonymanu]

Manu's play has gone down a little lately due to being so tired. Parker is starting to improve as well so I wouldnt be surprised if we saw Tony on the list and Manu out some time.

[TMTTRIO]

I don't think Manu's that tired but yes his play has gone down a lot and Tony has really picked it up a lot. I could see Tony being placed on there now.

[DMC]

I read that Manu's knees aren't doing real well.

Regardless, he's the MVP on the best team in the league right now. He will not be a league MVP because he doesn't sell many shoes in the US, and because he shares the basketball.

[duncan228]

Just the top three. Hit the link for the rest, including why Monroe left LeBron off, and an explanation of the Bird Formula for anyone that isn't familiar with it.


Breaking down the NBA’s MVP race with Bird points (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/11/breaking-down-the-nbas-mvp-race-with-bird-points/)
Mike Monroe

1. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
Games – 22
Points – 544
Rebounds – 165
Assists – 48
Steals – 15
Blocks – 18
Missed FG – 165
Missed FT – 18
Turnovers – 52
Bird Avg. – 25.23

2. Amare Stoudemire, Knicks
Games – 24
Points – 626
Rebounds – 219
Assists – 58
Steals – 22
Blocks – 46?
Missed FG – 206
Missed FT – 41
Turnovers – 94
Bird Avg. – 26.25

3. Manu Ginobili, Spurs
Games – 22
Points – 441
Rebounds – 79
Assists – 107
Steals – 42
Blocks – 8
Missed FG – 162
Missed FT – 12
Turnovers – 55
Bird Avg. – 20.36

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2010/12/11/breaking-down-the-nbas-mvp-race-with-bird-points/

[Amarelooms]

Dirk >>>> Manu....not even close. Dirk is a #1...manu is like a 3

[LeCrab]

Dirk >>>> Manu....not even close. Dirk is a #1...manu is like a 3
dirk plays no defense......

[LeCrab]

no need to say more....

manu assists - 107 Steals – 42
dirk assists - 48 Steals – 15

[frodo]

dirk plays no defense......

at least they are still winning games and that's fine.

[99-03-05-07]

dirk plays no defense......

dirk doesn't have one of these:lobt2:either

[Proxy]

Dirk >>>> Manu....not even close. Dirk is a #1...manu is like a 3

Sore butt?

[tuncaboylu]

I also should agree that stats of Dirk deserves MVP more than Manu this year. But there is an important point, Dirk is playing 4 more minutes and shooting 3 less shots per game.

[duncan228]

Ginobili's MVP-type presence stands out in Spurs' solid cast (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/12/17/race-to-mvp-week8/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1)
By Steve Aschburner, NBA.com

Every serious actor in Hollywood or on Broadway likes to work in ensemble casts. That, they'll contend, is where they get their greatest satisfaction and where their best work gets done. Side-by-side with other accomplished thespians, they can put the story, the writing and the directing first and truly bring their art to life.

And then someone feels snubbed for an Oscar, an Emmy or a Tony and all that familial togetherness goes right out the window. "Get me a star vehicle!" they'll shout into the phone at their agents. "I want my name above the title!"

That is a problem in professional sports, too, when it comes to things such as The Race.

Most Valuable Player awards generally go to star performers on top teams. But if a team is too much of a team -- like one when near-equals fill roles and share responsibilities -- then it gets hard to distinguish one valuable piece from another. Even when there are stars involved, as in All-Star level performers, it's can be tricky to identify them within their group and then measure them next to the superstars who work with lesser casts.

In the NBA, this might stem from the Michael Jordan era, when Jordan won five MVP awards as a transcendant talent not just on the planet but within his own locker room. That might seem backwards, but the drop down from Jordan as the Chicago Bulls' best player to Scottie Pippen as its No. 2 -- and then the drop from Pippen down to the rest of their Bulls teammates was big, too -- kept Jordan head, shoulders, elbows, waist and kneecaps above his mates.

In terms of a gold-silver-bronze Olympic podium, most of the Chicago players from the two three-peat teams were an inch from the floor, Pippen was a foot or two higher and Jordan was high enough to experience vertigo. A similar disparity sometimes was evident in the selections of MVPs such as Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Bob McAdoo, early Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Allen Iverson and of course, in each of the past two seasons, LeBron James.

But there have been plenty of MVPs who have come from deep, talented rosters. Stars among stars, sometimes even superstars among superstars. Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan and Steve Nash all had plenty of help and often weren't the best on their clubs at some task or another. But they were, sometimes in the most intangible ways, the most indispensable players on their squads. Mixed with their team's success, they rose to MVP heights as individuals.

We mention all this to honor Manu Ginobili, who continues to demonstrate his value to the 22-3 San Antonio Spurs. The veteran Argentinian swingman has lots of help in San Antonio: Duncan, Tony Parker, Richard Jefferson, a kick-butt bench crew and Coach of the Year favorite (for now, it says here) Gregg Popovich. And yet Ginobili can still go out in a span of barely 24 hours and remind everyone how important he is, and how different things might be for the Spurs if he were gone or injured.

There was his game-winning shot to beat Milwaukee (http://www.nba.com/video/games/spurs/2010/12/16/0021000375_mil_sas_play5.nba/index.html) Wednesday, after the sort of uncalled traveling violation that -- because he backpedaled rather than moved toward the rim -- seemed to catch the referees unaware. Then there was his dreary first three quarters at Denver Thursday, followed by a strong fourth. Followed by his off-balance shot for the night's winning points (http://www.nba.com/video/games/nuggets/2010/12/17/0021000380_sas_den_play6.nba/index.html). Followed by his guile and instincts in stepping in front of Carmelo Anthony (http://www.nba.com/video/games/nuggets/2010/12/16/0021000380_sas_den_recap.nba/index.html) and, this time, not catching the refs unaware. Ginobili got the charging call against the Nuggets' scoring star and, again, the Spurs won.

So even while Duncan had a throwback night (http://www.nba.com/video/channels/top_plays/2010/12/16/20101216_nn.nba/) (28 points, 16 boards), even as his teammates make their contributions nightly, Ginobili is the Spurs player who, to this point, deserves to be walking the red carpet on the way in and lugging a trophy on the way out. That -- and the fact that his personal stats are as good as or better than any he has posted in his career -- is why he shot up three spots in this week's Race rankings.

By the way, the committee knows a thing or two about ensembles. It believes that every one of its members is a star.

1. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs (20-5)
2. Amar'e Stoudemire, Knicks (16-10)
3. Derrick Rose, Bulls (16-8)
4. Kobe Bryant, Lakers (19-7)
5. Dwight Howard, Magic (16-9)
6. Deron Williams, Jazz (18-8)

7. Manu Ginobili, Spurs (22-3)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
25 31.8 20.0 3.6 4.8 1.8 0.3 .462 .364 .890
Last Week's Rank - 10
Ginobili's numbers aren't as gaudy as some others here, but he is having his most complete season. He had the key offensive and defensive plays at the end at Denver Thursday, after his "steps-back" game-winner vs. Milwaukee. Only four teams in NBA history have started better through 25 games than the Spurs' 22-3.

8. LeBron James, Heat (19-8)
9. Dwyane Wade, Heat (19-8)
10. Kevin Durant, Thunder (18-8)

Dropping out: Rajon Rondo (No. 4 last week)

Honorable mention: Westbrook; Rondo; Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers; Al Horford, Atlanta; Chris Paul, New Orleans.

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/12/17/race-to-mvp-week8/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

[phxspurfan]

Race to the MVP (http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/12/10/race-to-mvp-week-7/index.html)
Steve Aschburner, NBA.com

10. Manu Ginobili, Spurs (18-3)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
21 32.4 20.1 3.1 5.1 2.0 0.4 .454 .383 .910
Last Week's Rank - 8
The Race is a firm believer that the MVP and Coach of the Year awards, with rare exceptions, should go to men on different teams (having the MVP makes a coach's job a little easier, right?). So far, we like Gregg Popovich for COY, so this is more of a "best player on best team" vote. The Spurs really are the MVT.

*********************

1. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks (18-4)
2. Dwight Howard, Magic (15-7)
3. Derrick Rose, Bulls (12-8)
4. Rajon Rondo, Celtics (18-4)
5. Amar'e Stoudemire, Knicks (14-9)
6. Kobe Bryant, Lakers (16-6)
7. Deron Williams, Jazz (16-7)
8. Russell Westbrook, Thunder (15-8)
9. LeBron James, Heat (15-8)

Dropping out: Chris Paul (No. 4 last week)

Honorable mention: Paul; Kevin Durant, OKC ; Dwyane Wade, Miami; Al Horford, Atlanta; Kevin Love, Minnesota.

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/12/10/race-to-mvp-week-7/index.html



Rondo? Isn't he injured, out for 3 weeks, and was injured for about a week earlier in the season? Once again, while very good, he's so overrated by the national media.

Amare? Seriously? :wow

[duncan228]

Rondo? Isn't he injured, out for 3 weeks, and was injured for about a week earlier in the season? Once again, while very good, he's so overrated by the national media.

Amare? Seriously? :wow


The first post is from December 10, today's rankings are post #17. I thought it made sense to keep a running thread. Sorry for the confusion.

[Darkwaters]

dirk doesn't have one of these:lobt2:either

Yea, and he doesn't have one of these either:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.fanhouse.com/media/2007/04/sixth-man-trophy-240.jpg

Oh yea, in your face!!!!

Ok, so I'm assuming nobody actually knows which trophy that is. It's the 6th Man of the Year Trophy.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS8Pn84RssxK3AReucMy_zRFhQS18E5w XJ_g1tEpPhJWZU_RlYv

Ok, so maybe nobody cares about that....since I doubt nobody knew what it was.

Well how about this one?

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTzystCwDP_vQzGt4yHy8duc49fEKgy3 j8g53y1V_DwXXPAYUrq

And hes got a Gold one AND a Bronze one.

In your face!!!!

[8FOR!3]

I'd love to see him get it and I think he'd be very deserving, but I don't see it happening. Not because he's not capable of being the best player in the league, but because he doesn't have to put up the biggest numbers on an everyday basis. On the Spurs you've got legit #2, 3, and even 4 options in Tony Paker, Tim Duncan, and Richard Jefferson. Then you've still got other guys who are very capable of putting up consistent double digit scoring numbers like George Hill.

Right now, Dirk might be the most valuable player in the fact that the Mavs would absolutely suck without him and they're winning a lot of games with him.

Granted, it'd be very difficult to go anywhere without Ginobili, but I think we'd still have a team capable of winning some games.

[phxspurfan]

The first post is from December 10, today's rankings are post #17. I thought it made sense to keep a running thread. Sorry for the confusion.

Yeah, my b...I didn't read the entire thread. But they moved Amar'e up...ugh.


Manu should be higher than 7, like 5 or 4, considering Spurs have the best record

[Josepatches_]

If Manu can't be the MVP because he has a lot of talent around him then Kobe or LeBron are out of the race.Same Pau or Wade.Same Rondo.


So we have Dirk,Amare,Rose or Howard for the MVP.

[Tp9gospursgo]

If Manu can't be the MVP because he has a lot of talent around him then Kobe or LeBron are out of the race.Same Pau or Wade.Same Rondo.


So we have Dirk,Amare,Rose or Howard for the MVP.

You have a very good point.

[Dex]

Only four teams in NBA history have started better through 25 games than the Spurs' 22-3.


Impressive statistic right there. Spurs fans need to recognize what this team has been able to do.

[SA210]

Only four teams in NBA history have started better through 25 games than the Spurs' 22-3.

What are the other teams?

[SA210]

Go to this facebook page!! MANU 4 MVP! I just created it, please "like" it. Trying to get as many people as I can. Follow this link http://www.facebook.com/pages/MANU-4-MVP/123664504365135 Thanks!

Go Spurs!

Awesome, I'm going to share it with my FB friends as well. :toast

[SA210]

Thank you! Once we get more people it will take off. I'll pay for ads in Argentina, France etc....

:tu I love this. As more people follow, I'll make sure it gets to the news stations, I'm sure one of them will do a quick story on it sooner or later, then it will pick up with even more people, and maybe even a mention during one of the games on tv, then on one of the national games it could get mentioned after that, which would help with Manu being in the national dialogue of the MVP debate..

:flag:

[rascal]

If Manu can't be the MVP because he has a lot of talent around him then Kobe or LeBron are out of the race.Same Pau or Wade.Same Rondo.


So we have Dirk,Amare,Rose or Howard for the MVP.

Howard is going to win it.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

:flag:I dunno if he has the chance for NBA MVP, but he is no doubt the Spurs MVP.

[Dex]

What are the other teams?

Could't find it. I was able to find this tidbit though,which may narrow it down:


The Spurs are a franchise best 22-3 through 25 games. The last 3 teams to start 22-3 or better each made it to the NBA Finals.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301216007

:stirpot:

[Mel_13]

Only four teams in NBA history have started better through 25 games than the Spurs' 22-3.

23-2
2008-09 Celtics (lost ECSF)
1995-96 Bulls (Champs)
1969-70 Knicks (Champs)
1966-67 Sixers (Champs)




Could't find it. I was able to find this tidbit though,which may narrow it down:


The Spurs are a franchise best 22-3 through 25 games. The last 3 teams to start 22-3 or better each made it to the NBA Finals.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301216007

:stirpot:

ESPN didn't get that right.

The last three teams to start 22-3 or better are:
2008-09 Celtics (Lost ECSF) 23-2
2007-08 Celtics (Champs) 22-3
2005-06 Pistons (lost ECF) 22-3

You can search for things like this at basketball-reference.com, but only going back to the 86-87 season.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=season&year_min=1987&year_max=2011&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=N&game_num_min=1&game_num_max=25&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=W&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts

[duncan228]

Thanks for the research/info Mel_13. :toast

[JR21]

:toast

[JR21]

I like what he said though... THE SPURS ARE THE MVT!!!

[Dex]

23-2
2008-09 Celtics (lost ECSF)
1995-96 Bulls (Champs)
1969-70 Knicks (Champs)
1966-67 Sixers (Champs)





ESPN didn't get that right.

The last three teams to start 22-3 or better are:
2008-09 Celtics (Lost ECSF) 23-2
2007-08 Celtics (Champs) 22-3
2005-06 Pistons (lost ECF) 22-3

You can search for things like this at basketball-reference.com, but only going back to the 86-87 season.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=season&year_min=1987&year_max=2011&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=N&game_num_min=1&game_num_max=25&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=W&c1stat=&c1comp=gt&c1val=&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts

Nice research there, Mel. :tu

[SA210]

Thank Mel!

[SA210]

Go to this facebook page!! MANU 4 MVP! I just created it, please "like" it. Trying to get as many people as I can. Follow this link http://www.facebook.com/pages/MANU-4-MVP/123664504365135 Thanks!

Go Spurs!

I've about doubled the "likes" so far. :tu

[WalterBenitez]

If my memory is good, the only competition where Manu didn't get the MVP award is NBA, he was Italian, Euro, World, Olympics.

[MmP]

not in WC Walter.

[milkyway21]

I am happy for Manu...

[WeNeedLength]

Well Manu is definitely moving up. As per NBA.com:

4. Manu Ginobili (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=272)
San Antonio Spurs (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=sas)

G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
27 32.2 .457 .356 .886 1.8 0.4 3.6 4.9 19.7 23.5

His numbers may not be spectacular, but if you watch the Spurs on a nightly basis, you know who takes and makes every big shot for the league's best team. (Last week: 8 | Team record: 24-3)

He's in the top 5 now! :toast

[SA210]

Well Manu is definitely moving up. As per NBA.com:

4. Manu Ginobili (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=272)
San Antonio Spurs (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=sas)

G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
27 32.2 .457 .356 .886 1.8 0.4 3.6 4.9 19.7 23.5

His numbers may not be spectacular, but if you watch the Spurs on a nightly basis, you know who takes and makes every big shot for the league's best team. (Last week: 8 | Team record: 24-3)

He's in the top 5 now! :toast

:toast It's as it should be.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MANU-4-MVP/123664504365135

[oski1000]

http://www.nba.com/racetomvp/

[greens]

Well Manu is definitely moving up. As per NBA.com:

4. Manu Ginobili (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=272)
San Antonio Spurs (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=sas)

G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
27 32.2 .457 .356 .886 1.8 0.4 3.6 4.9 19.7 23.5

His numbers may not be spectacular, but if you watch the Spurs on a nightly basis, you know who takes and makes every big shot for the league's best team. (Last week: 8 | Team record: 24-3)

He's in the top 5 now! :toast




Very impressive! Thanks for posting!

I keep trying to find the link to the whole new updated list. Could you post the link? I know it's on the NBA.com site, but I can't seem to find the appropriate section.

[duncan228]

Very impressive! Thanks for posting!

I keep trying to find the link to the whole new updated list. Could you post the link? I know it's on the NBA.com site, but I can't seem to find the appropriate section.

That MVP List is ESPN's, not NBA.com's.

http://espn.go.com/nba/notebook/_/page/Awards-101221/nba-awards-watch

The latest Race to the MVP on NBA.com is from December 17. Post #17 in this thread. Manu was #7 there.

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/12/17/race-to-mvp-week8/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1

[greens]

Thanks so much for the link!

That would explain why I couldn't find it on NBA.com!

[urunobili]

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/01/14/race-to-mvp-week-12/?ls=iref:nbahpt1

MVP standings not as important to Spurs as NBA ones

By Steve Aschburner
Posted Jan 14 2011 11:44AM

The San Antonio Spurs no longer could be ignored. Their winning had become relentless, their success imposing.

As they put serious daylight between themselves and the rest of the NBA -- their 33-6 record is the league's best, 3 ½ games better than Boston, 4 ½ out front of the Los Angeles Lakers in the West -- it seemed that some up-close poking and prodding was in order. Not just to determine the perennial contender's pecking order of Most Valuableness for the purposes of the Race, but to see what the Spurs think of the award and the endeavor overall.

Turns out, not much. Particularly when asked, point blank, who San Antonio's MVP is.

"Well you know I won't answer that," coach Gregg Popovich said after his team's 91-84 victory over the Bucks Wednesday at Bradley Center. "I think the team is the most valuable, really. This season especially. We get really balanced scoring -- last night [at Minnesota] was even more balanced than tonight. And I know they don't care who's scoring. It's just a matter of playing the game.

"So we don't really have MVP candidates. We don't really think in those terms."

Hmm. Nice sentiment, and it seems to be working for Popovich. But the fact is, the Spurs have had three league MVPs in their history: Tim Duncan (2002, 2003) and David Robinson (1995).

So even in the best one-for-all, all-for-one circumstances -- with Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili leading a bench corps that includes Antonio McDyess, Matt Bonner, Gary Neal, George Hill -- some poppies grow taller than others and there's nothing necessarily wrong with that.

"Tony and Manu have been playing the best on the team," Duncan said.

Great. Now we were getting somewhere. Or not.

"We have guys coming off the bench who are playing really well. We need an entire team effort. So that's a great problem to have right now. We're not counting on one guy on any given night -- we're asking a bunch of guys to step up and make plays for us."

Duncan, at 34 averaging career lows in points (13.7) and rebounds (9.3), still is a commanding presence but he neither can nor is asked to dominate the way he once did. "An MVP is the person who has to do the most for his team in a winning situation," he said. "But we just have a lot of guys who are playing well on a lot of different nights. It's turned into the record that we have now, and we're not counting on one individual to get it done every night and wear somebody down."

Most outsiders have pointed to shooting guard Ginobili as San Antonio's MVP and, by default, its top league MVP candidate. The tricky part is that Ginobili ranks 25th in the NBA in scoring, 28th in assists, 19th in free-throw shooting, 39th in efficiency and 76th in field-goal percentage. He does rank eighth in steals.

But few players bring as much to their teams at both ends of the court, much of which doesn't get measured even by trendier statistics. Against the Bucks Wednesday, there were possessions when Ginobili would get a hand on the ball to disrupt one Milwaukee player's dribble and rhythm, then beat a second Buck to his spot to alter the fellow's shot. He could rotate from John Salmons to Andrew Bogut and still wind up with the defensive rebound.

In the fourth quarter, Ginobili sat down with 6:45 left, San Antonio up 79-72. By the time he returned at 2:48, the Spurs had been outscored 8-2. Yet they closed the game in a 10-4 spurt. Salmons, who had hit three shots in the middle of the quarter for seven points, managed just one long, contested (and failed) jumper the rest of the way. And it was Ginobili, with a runner in the lane, who got the Spurs cushion to 83-80.

So the committee surrounded McDyess afterward, the locker room nearly empty, and asked the question again.

"If I had to pick one person? Manu probably," the veteran forward said. "Every night he's very consistent for us. When we need big buckets, he's there to make 'em. He's quick like a cat -- he's always disrupting something. So defensively he's always there. Offensively he's always there. So he does everything."

Ah, now The Race was getting somewhere. Until it talked to Ginobili in the hallway outside.

"It's great to hear that," he said. "But the thing is, who cares who's the most valuable player on the team when you're leading the league? Nobody cares. When TD was winning MVPs, nobody cared -- we just wanted to win. In the first games of the season, I was playing well and feeling really good, so the team used me more. But in 82 games, it's going to go to Tony, it's going to go to Tim. Even Gary Neal has won many games for us. Matt Bonner. So really, nobody cares."

The 100 miles back to Race headquarters was a lot longer drive after that. But here are this week's rankings anyway:

[duncan228]

Race to the MVP (http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/01/21/race-to-mvp-week-13/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1)
By Steve Aschburner, NBA.com

6. Manu Ginobili, Spurs (36-6)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
42 31.7 19.0 4.0 4.8 1.8 0.4 .438 .364 .878
Last Week's Rank - 9
The committee was feeling very team-oriented this week, and it is impossible to ignore San Antonio's .857 winning percentage. Ginobili's Swiss Army knife-like contributions earn him best-player-on-way-best-team status.

*********************

The rest, hit the link for the write-ups.

1. Derrick Rose, Bulls (29-14)
2. Dwight Howard, Magic (27-15)
3. LeBron James, Heat (30-13)
4. Amar'e Stoudemire, Knicks (22-19)
5. Kobe Bryant, Lakers (31-13)
7. Deron Williams, Jazz (27-15)
8. Kevin Durant, Thunder (27-15)
9. Rajon Rondo, Celtics (32-9)
10. Blake Griffin, Clippers (16-26)

[Tp9gospursgo]

Manu deserves it.

[SA210]

Manu deserves it.

[duncan228]

This week, from Friday.


Race to the MVP (http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/01/28/race-to-mvp-week-14/index.html)
By Steve Aschburner, NBA.com
Jan 28 2011

10. Manu Ginobili, Spurs (38-7)
G MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG FG% 3P% FT%
46 31.5 18.7 3.9 4.9 1.8 0.4 .434 .361 .871
Last Week's Rank - 6
Pick a Spur. Pick a Celtic. The teams with the NBA's two best records have a wealth of invaluable players but no obvious MVP candidate. The Race gives a slight edge this week to Ginobili over Rajon Rondo or Paul Pierce; the Spurs' guard contributed to a 3-1 week with 66 points, 26 assists and six steals.

*********************

1. Derrick Rose, Bulls (31-14)
2. Dwight Howard, Magic (29-16)
3. LeBron James, Heat (31-13)
4. Kobe Bryant, Lakers (33-13)
5. Kevin Durant, Thunder (28-16)
6. Chris Paul, Hornets (30-16)
7. Dwyane Wade, Heat (31-13)
8. Amar'e Stoudemire, Knicks (23-21)
9. Deron Williams, Jazz (27-18)

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/01/28/race-to-mvp-week-14/index.html

[concken]

Three weeks later...no change. It's just not going to happen

[ALVAREZ6]

Three weeks later...no change. It's just not going to happen

everybody knows it never was going to happen, or even come close, which is the way it should be

[duncan228]

How strong is Manu Ginobili’s case for MVP? (http://dimemag.com/2011/02/how-strong-is-manu-ginobilis-case-for-mvp/)
By Austin Burton
Dime

When was the last time the NBA’s regular season MVP didn’t make the All-Star Game that same year?

You’d have to go back to 1999 — which comes with an asterisk because that lockout-shortened season had no All-Star Game in which eventual MVP Karl Malone could participate. Before that? I went back as far as 1982, and the only other time it happened was in 1989, which deserves another asterisk because Magic Johnson was picked for the West team, only he sat out the game with an injury. And nine times out of 10, the eventual season MVP is a starter in the All-Star Game. Only three times in my lifetime has the League’s MVP been an All-Star reserve (Steve Nash in ‘05, David Robinson in ‘95, Moses Malone in ‘82).

Which brings us to Manu Ginobili. There is a small but growing support group campaigning for Manu as MVP — during last night’s Clippers/Bulls game, L.A. announcer Mike Smith reiterated that Ginobili is one of his top candidates, a couple weeks after naming Ginobili his MVP front-runner. According to NBA.com’s “Race to the MVP” weekly column, Ginobili is currently 10th in the running, but the week before that was 6th.

The Manu-for-MVP argument has legs: Ginobili has (arguably) been the best player on the best team in the NBA, averaging 18.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game as the Spurs are 40-7 record going into Thursday’s schedule.

At the same time, Manu will be hurt by the same perception that will hurt LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, and to an extent, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant when it comes time for MVP voting: He has too many good players on his team.

If you can stick “arguably” in the middle of the statement, “So-and-So is the best player on his team,” than their chances of winning an award like MVP take an automatic hit. In San Antonio, Ginobili has to share the spotlight with Tony Parker (17.2 ppg, 6.8 apg) and Tim Duncan (13.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.0 bpg). He’s not the definite face of the franchise like Duncan. He may not even be the best guard on the team.

Personally, I don’t think an MVP candidate should be punished for having talented teammates, but I understand the thought process of voters who feel that way. No one is arguing that Ginobili isn’t valuable to the Spurs and valuable amongst the League’s elite. But most valuable?

http://dimemag.com/2011/02/how-strong-is-manu-ginobilis-case-for-mvp/

[nkdlunch]

MVPs need to be able to carry a team through 82 games. Manu can't do that.

[temujin]

MVPs need to be able to carry a team through 82 games. Manu can't do that.

Right.
Carry the team nowhere a-la Nowitski, Nash and James.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

The MVP award is somewhat misleading. Most Valuable Player is NOT best player on best team. Manu is much more replaceable than Durant, Kobe, LeBron, Nowitsky, etc. His mere mention in the MVP race should be enough for Manu fans 'cause realistically speaking, he has no chance.

[rascal]

This thread should have been dead a long time ago, before it was even started.

[Amarelooms]

Right.
Carry the team nowhere a-la Nowitski, Nash and James.

lol at you dummy...Dirk is a #1 aka Batman...Manu isn't even a #2 aka Robin...he's a solid #3 that's it.

Now take dat with cha son

:elephant