Suns v. Lakers: Kobe is not the MVP

Kobe is not the 2005-06 MVP. Nor is he the MVP of the postseason.

For the past 2 days, every time I turn on ESPN or TNT, I hear talk about Kobe, how he has been so amazing in the postseason and such a good teammate and so clutch in Game 4. Listening to this, you would think that Kobe is the only reason the Lakers are up 3-1 in the series at this point.

I say the media, as always, is giving Kobe unnecessary credit. Sure those 2 shots in Game 4 were clutch. I'm not going to dispute that, I'll give credit where credit is due. However, what about the rest of that game and the series overall? The numbers tell the truth.

Lets recap:

Game 1

Kobe: 7-21 shooting (33%), 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block.

Terrible shooting game, all four other starters had a better shooting percentage than Kobe and were in double digits. An OK game defensively.

Game 2

Kobe: 12-24 shooting (50%), 29 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal.

Much better shooting game, but nothing out of this world. Lamar (9 for 12) was really the star of that game. Much better defense, however. Looked like Phil really did get inside his head.

Game 3

Kobe: 6-18 shooting (33%), 17 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals.

Horrible shooting percentage once again. Passed the ball a litle more. Defense not as good as game 2, but was alert with 4 steals.

Game 4

Kobe: 9-14 shooting (64%), 24 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists.

Very good shooting percentage, good on assists. Overall, a very good game, but once again, nothing out of this world. In case anyone forgot, the Lakers were playing at home. They almost lost the game at first, and if not for that 3-pointer by Smush and then Smush's steal, Kobe would have been no where close to make that tying shot. And, in overtime, it was Smush and Walton that got Nash to lose the ball. So yes, Kobe was good, but nothing for the history books, and not without the rest of the team. If anything, it was actually his defense, rather than anything else, that has been contributing to the Lakers' victories.

Overall

Kobe averaged 45% shooting in the series, 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Honestly, nothing to write home about.

Look at the other stars of the postseason - Dirk Nowitzki, Andres Nocioni, LeBron James, Bonzi Wells, Sam Cassell, Elton Brand, Gilbert Arenas, etc. etc. etc. Are you telling me these guys are having a worse post season than Kobe? Dirk averaged 31 points on 50% shooting and has made many a clutch shot in the series against the Grizzlies, which the Mavs swept. Bonzi Wells was 9-11 last night for 25 points + 17 rebounds. LeBron James broke all the records in his playoffs debut. Sam Cassell and Elton Brand stopped the Clippers' 30 years playoff drought. Why isn't the media buzzing as much about that?

Lets stop the hype and look at the numbers.