Former L.A. Laker Jerry West averaged 38 points per game in the 1969 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Boston won its final championship with Bill Russell, but West was named finals MVP, the only time a player from a losing team has won the award. Could the same scenario play out for Kobe Bryant?
Sure, as many as four Celtics garner serious consideration for the MVP, but hear me out. The Lakers are down 3-2 in the 2010 NBA Finals against the Celtics going into tonight’s game in Los Angeles. Each game in this series has been statistically different than its predecessor, leaving no clear-cut choice for series MVP. If Boston closes it out in Game 6 tonight, it may depend on who steps up with another solid game. Ray Allen had an epic Game 2 with an NBA Finals record 8 3-pointers (started off 7-for-7 from beyond the arc). Paul Pierce and Bryant put on a shooting clinic in Game 5. Kevin Garnett has had some bright spots. Rajon Rondo has been stellar throughout the playoffs. But, none of them have been consistent enough to warrant an MVP.
Even if Boston wins the series, the MVP should go to Bryant. The award isn’t necessarily designed to go to a player on the winning team. If a superstar has plenty of supporting help, they aren’t as valuable as a superstar who puts up numbers night in and night out. Bryant is averaging 30.2 points per game, six rebounds, 4.4 assists and two steals in the finals. He’s doing it on top of injuries that carried over from the regular season while playing over 40 minutes per game. Los Angeles would be lost with Bryant right now. The Lakers have done their best to surround Bryant with talent but the series has shown they can’t keep up with the Celtics without him on the floor. Boston has a team dynamic and a new hero each game, including players off the bench.
In Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals, West put up 43 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a losing effort. You can expect a competitor like Bryant to put up those kind of numbers when everything is on the line. Boston could be the best team in the NBA after tonight. They just don’t have the best player in the series.
NBA Finals Game 6 Match Odds
Boston Celtics: 5/2 Ladbrokes
L.A. Lakers: 7/20 Party Bets