You hopefully know what the “R” stands for. Kobe Bryant will be named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in about an hour, an honor that he frankly doesn’t deserve. Among the five candidates for the award (Kobe, Kevin Garnett, Chris Paul, LeBron James, and Manu Ginobili) I can make the argument that Kobe is the least valuable of the 5. While Kobe is the most outstanding player in the NBA and the game’s best pure scorer, he doesn’t provide very much else. The case for the other four:

Kevin Garnett:
-No player better exemplifies value than KG. The Celtics won approximately 3 games last year without Garnett and played about as much defense as the Cincinnati Bengals did in Week 2 of this past NFL season. Garnett shows up (along with Tom Thibodeau) and he transforms this team into the NBA’s best defensive club. His passion and fire were apparent in Game 1. He changed the face of this franchise. It was like walking into a room looking like Starr Jones and walking out looking like Gabrielle Union. Anytime you go from the worst team in the league to the best in one year, after adding a superstar, there’s some obvious examples of value.

Manu Ginobili:
-I’m biased, a little, I guess because I’m a big fan of Ginobili’s game. He’s the best ugly player in the NBA. He plays like a 17 year old kid with marginal talent, until, of course, he scores 20 points a game coming off the bench and energizes and entire team. While Tim Duncan is probably the NBA’s greatest all-time Power Forward, I don’t think the Spurs would have been a playoff team this year without Ginobili, who was somehow not an All-Star. His ability to shoot from outside, and drive left are unlike anyone else’s in the game. No one does it like Manu (who was smart to shorten from Emmanuel to Manu a few years ago…he wouldn’t have the aura if he was called Emmanuel Ginobili). He has never been afraid of contact in the lane and proved his slasher ability this year.

LeBron James:
-This is simple: LeBron James averaged 30 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST this year. Without LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavs would start Boobie Gibson, Delonte West, Sideshow Bob, Ben Wallace, and Zydrunas Illgauskus and would have won 16 games this year. LeBron is more valuable to his team than any other non-point guard.

Chris Paul:
-In only his 3rd season, Paul averaged 21 PPG and nearly 12 APG. He’s 23 years old only because today is his birthday. He did all of this as a 22 year old. Running the show for a vagabond team. He’s barely 6’0” tall. He still averaged 4 RPG. He also led the NBA in Steals Per Game. Watch New Orleans play and tell me that he isn’t the most valuable player in the NBA to his team. The Hornets won 56 freakin’ games this year! Chris Paul turned the talented David West into an All-Star. Tyson Chandler, a castoff from the Bulls and a “bust” a few years ago, is a stud on the defensive side still, but no longer a liability offensively. Peja Stojakovich revived his career this year. Look no further than last night’s blowout victory over the Spurs. Morris Peterson starts for this team. If I’m starting a team today, CP3 is my first pick. Call me foolish. Then continue to watch the Hornets’ run towards their first NBA World Championship.

If it came down to it, this would be my ranking for the MVP Award:

5. Manu Ginobili (You have to remember, he still plays with at least 1 future Hall of Famer and possibly another)
4. Kobe Bryant (He averaged 28, 6, and 5 this year. LeBron averaged 30, 8, and 7. I don’t get it).
3. Kevin Garnett (He plays with 2 other all-stars. That has to decrease his value slightly).
2. LeBron James (Look at the guys he plays with. Now look at his stats. Add that together. Thank you).
1. Chris Paul (I’m biased as hell, but the kid is extraordinary. And to argue that “his time will come” is just stupid, foolish garbage that old-time writers say. His time HAS come. Kobe Bryant is an enigmatic headcase and a selfish teammate.

And then there’s this whole thing (Kobe Bryant’s statement following the settlement of his civil case in Eagle Country Colorado):

“First, I want to apologize directly to the young woman involved in this incident. I want to apologize to her for my behavior that night and for the consequences she has suffered in the past year. Although this year has been incredibly difficult for me personally, I can only imagine the pain she has had to endure. I also want to apologize to her parents and family members, and to my family and friends and supporters, and to the citizens of Eagle, Colo.

I also want to make it clear that I do not question the motives of this young woman. No money has been paid to this woman. She has agreed that this statement will not be used against me in the civil case. Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did. After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter.

I issue this statement today fully aware that while one part of this case ends today, another remains. I understand that the civil case against me will go forward. That part of this case will be decided by and between the parties directly involved in the incident and will no longer be a financial or emotional drain on the citizens of the state of Colorado.”–Kobe Bryant Sept. 2, 2004

Game O’ The Day: Cleveland @ Boston (Game 1). Cleveland wins tonight by 8. We all know I don’t want this to happen (much like how I didn’t want the Spurs to win last night…I was, accordingly, very happy that they did not). I just have to imagine that Boston is tired.