MVP thoughts (or why LJ should be MVP but she won't)

Thursday 28 August 2003

This is going to be LJ-centric but you shouldn't have expected better from me.

The way I'm going to approach this is to compare MVP candidates to LJ and why I think LJ deserves MVP over them. Simple enough - let's go.

Tamika Catchings, Chamique Holdsclaw: These two players have had outstanding individual years and have been arguably as dominant as LJ (though I'd argue that LJ is a cut above them). So why does LJ deserve MVP over them? Sure Seattle didn't make the playoffs (like them) but Seattle have a better record than either of their teams (a winning record as well) and if Seattle were in their conference, they would've made the playoffs (probably #2 seed as well).

Katie Smith: Katie's had a good season and is constantly underappreciated but does this mean she should win MVP? Uh, no. Here's a little list why Katie does not deserve MVP over LJ:

#1 Seattle and Minnesota finished with the same record (yes I'll get to the tiebreaker later)

#2 Katie's #s are not nearly as impressive as LJ's

#3 Minnesota have a more experienced and balanced lineup. They also didn't experience injuries like the Storm did. So Katie led her team to the same record as an inexperienced and injured Storm.

Yes, Minnesota did have the tiebreaker over the Storm which put them into the playoffs. That does count in Katie's favour. Is it enough to give Katie MVP over Lauren? Definitely not.

Yolanda Griffith: Why not? If Katie is considered for MVP, why not Yo? She's got a better all-round game and stats than Katie, is important to her team and her team finished one game better than the Lynx. Her scoring really isn't up to scratch for a MVP though and I don't think anyone would deny LJ has had a better year than her.

Tina Thompson, Sheryl Swoopes: Both of these players are among the best in the game and have had good seasons. Have they had a MVP-type impact on their team? There is a case to be made for Sheryl but she's been a bit too erratic offensively. She definitely deserves Defensive Player of the Year though. The case for Tina is interesting as STATISTICALLY, she's not far off Swin Cash. The presence of Sheryl hurts her case a bit though. Tina's had a good year but not really a MVP-calibre one. I think LJ trumps them both.

Lisa Leslie: She's got the numbers and no doubt she's important to her team. Can one be MVP if they've missed a third of the season? I personally wouldn't think so but LL would be almost a lock if she'd only missed a couple of games instead of eleven.

Swin Cash: She's been the best player on a team with the best record. Some people would automatically give her MVP because of this but I don't think that's the true meaning of MVP.

When comparing the stats of the two, LJ is far more impressive across the board. In fact, Swin's stats are only slightly better than Tina Thompson's. Interestingly enough, the MVP has always been in the top 3 scorers of the league - Swin is 7th.

Has Swin been as dominant as LJ? She's come through for her team at key times but I don't think anyone's going to argue that she's been more dominant than LJ. Swin's been the main go-to player and has done well in that role, she's also had a strong support cast that have remained quite healthy. LJ's had to basically carry the Storm for the whole season with little help compared to Swin and the end result isn't that bad either (look below).

The main argument used to promote Swin as MVP is that her team made the playoffs and that LJ's didn't. In fact many people online and in the media have said that if the Storm had made the playoffs, they would've had LJ as their MVP. Well if the Storm had a losing record, the argument would be more palatable but given the circumstances, things become murky. The Storm finished with a winning record that is equivalent to or better than the records of four playoff teams. So the Storm may have not made the playoffs but I believe that their record would qualify as a solid level of achievement - enough to be seriously considered for MVP. Factor in LJ's statistical prowess and the fact she carried her team for basically the whole season (with Sue's niggly knee, Adia's torn ACL and Kamila's foot) and DOMINATED - that in my book is a true MVP.

Even though LJ is my MVP (other awards to come later), I don't think she will actually get the official WNBA-sanctioned award. A lot of sports media people place a high emphasis on playoffs and have ruled LJ out as the MVP because of the Storm's failure to make the postseason. I was thinking Swin Cash would get it but my gut feeling now is that Lisa Leslie will get it (not that she particularly deserves it due to her extended absence). Reason why? Let's remember who's voting and the media profile of certain players.