Stop it with the Amar'e MVP talk...please

[makaveli]

By that logic, Kobe and Iverson should have been 5-6 time MVP's...Durrant last year...
When he starts doing something else but scoring let me know about it.
I love him and his game, but IMO he is not worth mentioning in a sentence about MVP this year. Yes he is a scoring beast, but his team is 17-12 and the W came against below .400 teams mostly, just OKC and DEN are somewhat good teams they were able to beat.

[GreenFaith1819]

He's playing better D. I think Amar'e has a strong argument for MVP.

Felton has been a big help, too - but Amar'e has even made him look good, with his conversions.

My thing is this: Without Amar'e, NY is not in the playoff hunt. With him? I think they are. NY (with one major addition) has gone from laughing stock to a team that is 5 games over 500 this late into Dec?

He's made NY relevant again.
 
When you look at the fact that he is playing Center, and is the only low post threat NY has, Stat is having quite a season.

[pearljammer10]

How is he not? When his team had a 3 and 9 record he led them to, what, 9 straight wins scoring 30 plus points in each of those games? Take Stodemire off the Knicks and they are a lottery team. He should definitely be in consideration during MVP talks... At the moment the only other player worth debating against Amare is probably Dirk.

[Snakehead]

I don't think he is the MVP but he is certainly in the discussion.  To say he is not ignores New York's sudden success and his awesome play.

[NoraG1]

What annoys me is that offense seems to be enough to get the MVP. Defense is what wins championships. Why not just call it offensive player of the year. They do that with defense.

[Snakehead]

What annoys me is that offense seems to be enough to get the MVP. Defense is what wins championships. Why not just call it offensive player of the year. They do that with defense.

I agree that defense doesn't get enough consideration.  At least with LeBron and Kobe winning it the last few years they were giving it to good defense players though.  It'll be interesting to see how this MVP race progresses, because for example many have Dirk as MVP and tho he can play solid D sometimes he's by no means a good defender.

[Overrated]

Amare has no doubt been a beast, but in my opinion Felton has been more instrumental to the Knicks' success. This season has been a coming out party for him.

[Boris Badenov]

I think D'Antoni deserves a lot of credit for what is happening there. Take a close look at that roster and think about the fact that their offensive efficiency is similar to that of San Antonio, LA, Dallas, Boston, Miami and Phoenix.

[Fafnir]

I think D'Antoni deserves a lot of credit for what is happening there. Take a close look at that roster and think about the fact that their offensive efficiency is similar to that of San Antonio, LA, Dallas, Boston, Miami and Phoenix.

They're playing Amar'e at center, that mismatch allows for their offensive efficiency. Of course it also creates many of their defensive and rebounding issues.

[moiso]

What annoys me is that offense seems to be enough to get the MVP. Defense is what wins championships. Why not just call it offensive player of the year. They do that with defense.

tp. Why no offensive player of the year?

[guava_wrench]

Amare isn't in the discussion. He is a great offensive talent, but you don't win MVPs with mediocre teams. It just doesn't happen.

Sadly, when people vote based on stats, they seem to go crazy over PPG. They rarely adjust for pace. With the second highest pace in the NBA, the Knicks players have more opportunities for all stats. Add to that a system that focuses on offense and doesn't demand good team defense, and you have glamorous stats that overstate performance.

[Snakehead]

What annoys me is that offense seems to be enough to get the MVP. Defense is what wins championships. Why not just call it offensive player of the year. They do that with defense.

tp. Why no offensive player of the year?

Well they do have the scoring title.  I think that fills that role for them.  MVP is supposed to be the best all around player, even if sometimes they don't do award it that way. Again I'll cite at least in the last few years they did well by giving it to good defensive players in LeBron and Kobe.

[mgent]

What annoys me is that offense seems to be enough to get the MVP. Defense is what wins championships. Why not just call it offensive player of the year. They do that with defense.

They should.  If you think about it in terms of championships the DPOY is really the most valuable player.  Well as long as he doesn't hurt his team offensively.

[Boris Badenov]

I think D'Antoni deserves a lot of credit for what is happening there. Take a close look at that roster and think about the fact that their offensive efficiency is similar to that of San Antonio, LA, Dallas, Boston, Miami and Phoenix.

They're playing Amar'e at center, that mismatch allows for their offensive efficiency. Of course it also creates many of their defensive and rebounding issues.

Agreed about the defense, but if it were as easy as "play a 4 at the 5" then most teams would just mimic the offensive strategy and be successful. D'Antoni has talent.

And, it's relatively easy for many teams to match up on defense by playing small, but the Knicks can score against anyone.

I just remember being amazed watching the Celts/Knicks game, because I don't think I've seen another team systematically create open angles to the basket against the C's the way the Knicks did.

Seriously, look at the personnel other than Stoudemire. Felton, Chandler, Fields, Gallinari. Those guys are far from being high-level offensive players.

[Fafnir]

I think D'Antoni deserves a lot of credit for what is happening there. Take a close look at that roster and think about the fact that their offensive efficiency is similar to that of San Antonio, LA, Dallas, Boston, Miami and Phoenix.

They're playing Amar'e at center, that mismatch allows for their offensive efficiency. Of course it also creates many of their defensive and rebounding issues.

Agreed about the defense, but if it were as easy as "play a 4 at the 5" then most teams would just mimic the offensive strategy and be successful. D'Antoni has talent.

And, it's relatively easy for many teams to match up on defense by playing small, but the Knicks can score against anyone.

I just remember being amazed watching the Celts/Knicks game, because I don't think I've seen another team systematically create open angles to the basket against the C's the way the Knicks did.

Seriously, look at the personnel other than Stoudemire. Felton, Chandler, Fields, Gallinari. Those guys are far from being high-level offensive players.

Three of them are high level shooters, and D'Antoni has worked this same system with Boris Diaw and Amar'e.

Its a very effective tactic, but not one that should have us all too excited for Amar'e.