Who is the Celtic's Finals MVP Thus Far

[Cman]

Here's an interesting article on Finals MVPs.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/blog/?p=6431

TP. That was an interesting read. 

[Birdbrain]

I really feel that if we win we should give it to Garnett. This same team without him wouldn't have been able to make it out of the 2nd round. While his numbers may not be MVP like, his presence sure is most valuable on our team.

That's a valid point and one I can get behind as well.  It also enhances my belief in this would our 3 peat season.

And this team wouldn't have made it by Miami without Rondo.

This is valid as well.  Rondo is seasons MVP he saved them in both Cleveland game 4 and LA game 2.  He is just as likely at this point as anyone of the big 4 to win it if he plays up to his abilities the remainder of the series.  

I just have a feeling Paul will shine tonight.  

[Birdbrain]

When Per takes into consideration shutting down Kobe in the 2nd half of game 4 in LA in '08 then it will have validity.  KG obviously played well in the series but, I'm not sure where the conventional wisdom that he was the MVP came from (although I realize its just for discussion and this is just a blogger).  

Paul was in fact the best player in that series.

I don't get into these mundane stats like Usage and Per and +/-. Too many factors play a part in how they are calculated.  I'll use my eyes and brain.

[BballTim]

  I don't think it will necessarily be the most consistent player, but the player who contributes the most in our 4 wins. I'd say Rondo and Baby lead in that category so far.

[Bankshot]

Pierce has been the most consistent producer, not in terms of impact, but statistical production.

Ray has had one godly half.

KG has one dominant game, as has Rondo, who has come down to earth since Game 3 of the ECF.

I would say Pierce is still the MVP because no other Celtic has clearly set himself apart to take it away.

I think Big Baby has been the most consistent player of this series.  No other player has given more than one good game.  Baby, while a bench player, has given a consistent performance off the bench in each of the games, with the last game being his best.  I don't think the MVP has to be a starter.  But I think if a starter is to get it, he'll have to do something in the next two games.

I can't agree with Baby. The reason Baby gets the press he does is because he is coming off the bench. If he was a starter, we would have higher expectations and wouldn't be as impressed. Look at his stats for each game. Not particularly impressive. He's averaging 10.25 PPG 4.5 RPG 16-31 FG.

If he steps up production, perhaps he could be in the running, but he isn't there yet.

I would be cautious of thinking of this in terms of per minute productivity since it doesn't seem reasonable to assume that the bench players can keep up the same intensity level over starter minutes.

Big Baby would have to score 20+ points and grab more than 5 rebounds in 2 of the next 3 games in order to get Finals MVP.

No he doesn't. Dennis Johnson won finals MVP averaging 9 pts a game.  Baby has been the most consistent Celtic and the best Celtic big man in most games.

[JBcat]

At this point in time I think Ray has to be in the discussion.   When you look closely at our 2 wins of course in game 2 Ray was huge and in game 4 he didn't put up big numbers but was on the floor during the 4th quarter with the 4 subs when we started pulling away.

If Ray plays well in hopefully our final 2 wins he might have a good shot.   

[Birdbrain]

Pierce has been the most consistent producer, not in terms of impact, but statistical production.

Ray has had one godly half.

KG has one dominant game, as has Rondo, who has come down to earth since Game 3 of the ECF.

I would say Pierce is still the MVP because no other Celtic has clearly set himself apart to take it away.

I think Big Baby has been the most consistent player of this series.  No other player has given more than one good game.  Baby, while a bench player, has given a consistent performance off the bench in each of the games, with the last game being his best.  I don't think the MVP has to be a starter.  But I think if a starter is to get it, he'll have to do something in the next two games.

I can't agree with Baby. The reason Baby gets the press he does is because he is coming off the bench. If he was a starter, we would have higher expectations and wouldn't be as impressed. Look at his stats for each game. Not particularly impressive. He's averaging 10.25 PPG 4.5 RPG 16-31 FG.

If he steps up production, perhaps he could be in the running, but he isn't there yet.

I would be cautious of thinking of this in terms of per minute productivity since it doesn't seem reasonable to assume that the bench players can keep up the same intensity level over starter minutes.

Big Baby would have to score 20+ points and grab more than 5 rebounds in 2 of the next 3 games in order to get Finals MVP.

No he doesn't. Dennis Johnson won finals MVP averaging 9 pts a game.  Baby has been the most consistent Celtic and the best Celtic big man in most games.

How funny would that be? He loves the put on a show on the big stage.  : )

Do you think he would underpaid at 3 million a year and a Finals MVP?

[celtics2]

Rondo or Davis. Pierce, Allen and KG have been showing their age and take naps occasionally.

[Yakmanev]

So far Kobe has won player of the Game in 3 out of 4 games. Ray Allen was the player of the game in Game 2.

Granted this is just fan voting at NBA.com but I think it could be foreshadowing one of those rare MVP on the loser team deals.

[LB3533]

Pierce has been the most consistent producer, not in terms of impact, but statistical production.

Ray has had one godly half.

KG has one dominant game, as has Rondo, who has come down to earth since Game 3 of the ECF.

I would say Pierce is still the MVP because no other Celtic has clearly set himself apart to take it away.

I think Big Baby has been the most consistent player of this series.  No other player has given more than one good game.  Baby, while a bench player, has given a consistent performance off the bench in each of the games, with the last game being his best.  I don't think the MVP has to be a starter.  But I think if a starter is to get it, he'll have to do something in the next two games.

I can't agree with Baby. The reason Baby gets the press he does is because he is coming off the bench. If he was a starter, we would have higher expectations and wouldn't be as impressed. Look at his stats for each game. Not particularly impressive. He's averaging 10.25 PPG 4.5 RPG 16-31 FG.

If he steps up production, perhaps he could be in the running, but he isn't there yet.

I would be cautious of thinking of this in terms of per minute productivity since it doesn't seem reasonable to assume that the bench players can keep up the same intensity level over starter minutes.

Big Baby would have to score 20+ points and grab more than 5 rebounds in 2 of the next 3 games in order to get Finals MVP.

No he doesn't. Dennis Johnson won finals MVP averaging 9 pts a game.  Baby has been the most consistent Celtic and the best Celtic big man in most games.

DJ won MVP because of his defense.

I don't see Baby stopping Gasol.

[zerophase]

I really feel that if we win we should give it to Garnett. This same team without him wouldn't have been able to make it out of the 2nd round. While his numbers may not be MVP like, his presence sure is most valuable on our team.

That's a valid point and one I can get behind as well.  It also enhances my belief in this would our 3 peat season.

And this team wouldn't have made it by Miami without Rondo.

This is valid as well.  Rondo is seasons MVP he saved them in both Cleveland game 4 and LA game 2.  He is just as likely at this point as anyone of the big 4 to win it if he plays up to his abilities the remainder of the series.  

I just have a feeling Paul will shine tonight.  

I feel that as evidenced by Rondo's spectacular play last year, averaging almost a triple double in the first round that Garnett is still more important to this team that Rondo. I mean just look at what that man has down for your franchise... The entire demeanor and attitude of the Celtics changed when he got here. Any player that has that much impact on a team should be a MVP.

[christuffa]

At this point in time I think Ray has to be in the discussion.   When you look closely at our 2 wins of course in game 2 Ray was huge and in game 4 he didn't put up big numbers but was on the floor during the 4th quarter with the 4 subs when we started pulling away.

If Ray plays well in hopefully our final 2 wins he might have a good shot.   

Totally agree and think he can/will do this. He's heard too much negative the past two games despite excellent defensive performances, all because of a woeful shooting night. Even though he only hit 4/11 and got 12 pts, game 4 was a good night for him.