ESPN NBA

We asked NBA writers from ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, as well as NBA analysts from ESPN, to provide their choices for NBA Most Valuable Player, ranked from 1 to 5.

Here is David Thorpe's ballot:

Thorpe's Ballot

Rank	Player	Comment
		LeBron James It seems clear-cut to me. James is the most efficiently productive player in basketball. He's one of the top three pure scorers, one of the top passers, one of the most dynamic players and now one of the best defenders. And his team is top three in the league. The world's best player.
		Dwyane Wade Carried a broken team back into the heart of the playoff seedings. He did everything imaginable in that journey, including a few highlights that seemed unimaginable (just ask Chicago fans). His defensive focus is now first rate, and he's probably the best offensive player in the NBA.
		Dwight Howard An immense presence on both ends, with the motor and athleticism to change ends with any guard. He impacts almost every play when he's in the game. Howard also anchors perhaps the league's best defense, while demanding attention on offense to make his teammates better.
		Kobe Bryant This "low" rating is partly a result of having such a strong team around him. Kobe does not need to do more than he does, and to his credit, he no longer tries to -- most of the time. He's still the most dangerous player in crunch time, and the guy players respect the most.
		Chris Paul His competitive drive, incredible ball skills and toughness have made Paul the life force of an otherwise average basketball team. He's the best pick-and-roll player and is by far the best at getting steals. Paul could take almost any lottery team to at least the brink of the playoffs.

 
• Click here to return to main page  

Abbott	Adande	Barry	Brooks	Broussard	Bucher	Ford	LZ	Hill
Hollinger	Legler	Neel	Palmer	Ramsay	Rose	Sheridan	Stein	Thorpe