More then likely, it'll be Kobe Bryant coming away with the hardware in this amazingly tight race. But, he doesn't deserve it. In fact, the other three guys have more claim to the award then Kobe can even imagine. At least for this year.

LeBron James is the first, second, third, and probably fifth (whoever is closer to LBJ at the time is #4) on his team. And yet, he has willed them back to the postseason this year. I like Delonte West and Boobie Gibson, but they aren't even close to what Kobe's got as far as cast goes.

Kevin Garnett came to Boston in the same offseason as Ray Allen, which really helped the Celtics. But it was KG's defensive intensity that put this team over the top. Without him buying into Doc Rivers' system, no one else would have and they'd be out of the playoffs again, but saddled with a roster full of aging pieces rather then potential young studs (read: Al Jefferson, Delonte, Jeff Green, maybe Gerald Green). But, they are arguablly the best team in the league and overwhelming favorites to face...you guessed it, Kobe and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Now, before I get to the guy who gets my vote, I'll touch on why Kobe doesn't.

First off, all offseason and for first month or so of the season, we weren't even sure if Kobe would be a Laker at this point. In fact, if the Bulls would've just given up Luol Deng, Kobe would be a Bull at this point.

Second, he blasted everyone of his young teammates as opposed to being a TRUE leader and building them up. No, that would be to much to ask from the guy who's been a "Me first!" kinda guy since he got into the NBA. But that's what an MVP and a leader should do.

Lastly, Pau Gasol. When Mitch Kupcheck stol the Spainard from Memphis, the Lakers got exponentially better. Yes, they were dealing with the lose of Andrew Bynum, who was having a monster season this year as he finally grow into his body. To me, Pau outshined Kobe for most of the gams that they played. Kobe had his highlights, but they would just lose like the last few years if it weren't for Gasol. That does not bode well for Kobe campaign.

Chris Paul SHOULD be the MVP. He willed a team that looked impressive but young to the #2 seed in the UBER West behind the Lakers. He, like LeBron, was the focal point of the Hornets and yet teams could not contain him for long. He constantly gutted teams during the season, unless of course the other point was Deron Williams, but we won't talk about that.

This just goes to show, if you missed the last few seasons, that the MVP is a joke. It doesn't go to the most valuable player, it goes to the biggest name on whatever team David Stern would like to see hoist the O'Brien Trophy. But, here's something for all the Lakers fans out there: Who was the last MVP to win a Championship? It was one of the guys you're going to have to go through to get there: Tim Duncan. What would you rather have?