2008 NBA MVP Race

10. Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics - His statistics are down (19.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.6 apg) but Paul Pierce managed to adjust his style of play in order to make room for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Pierce’s defensive pressure helped transform Boston into the best team in the NBA.

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10. Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics - His statistics are down (19.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.6 apg) but Paul Pierce managed to adjust his style of play in order to make room for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Pierce’s defensive pressure helped transform Boston into the best team in the NBA.

9. Amare Stoudemire - Phoenix Suns - While Steve Nash gets all the credit in Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire has taken his game to the next level, thanks to the addition of Shaquille O’Neal. The power forward averaged 29.3 points in March and April after O’Neal joined the starting lineup.

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9. Amare Stoudemire - Phoenix Suns - While Steve Nash gets all the credit in Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire has taken his game to the next level, thanks to the addition of Shaquille O’Neal. The power forward averaged 29.3 points in March and April after O’Neal joined the starting lineup.

8. Tim Ducan - San Antonio Spurs - Mr. Consistent is having another solid quiet season for the San Antonio Spurs. The two-time MVP (’02 and ’03) is a lock to average 20 points and 10 rebounds a season and with Duncan in the middle, the Western Conference finals still goes through the Alamo.

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8. Tim Ducan - San Antonio Spurs - Mr. Consistent is having another solid quiet season for the San Antonio Spurs. The two-time MVP (’02 and ’03) is a lock to average 20 points and 10 rebounds a season and with Duncan in the middle, the Western Conference finals still goes through the Alamo.

7. Tracy McGrady - Houston Rockets - McGrady showed signs he has improved as a leader, helping Houston to win a franchise record 22-straight games. Besides from missing a handful of games here and there, T-Mac has been Houston’s most consistent player with Yao Ming out.

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7. Tracy McGrady - Houston Rockets - McGrady showed signs he has improved as a leader, helping Houston to win a franchise record 22-straight games. Besides from missing a handful of games here and there, T-Mac has been Houston’s most consistent player with Yao Ming out.

6. Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic - The early favorite for the MVP award at the start of the season, Dwight Howard has soared leaps and bounds (get it?) for the Orlando Magic. The 22-year-old leads the NBA in rebounding (14.3 rpg) and averages nearly 21 points a game.

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6. Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic - The early favorite for the MVP award at the start of the season, Dwight Howard has soared leaps and bounds (get it?) for the Orlando Magic. The 22-year-old leads the NBA in rebounding (14.3 rpg) and averages nearly 21 points a game.

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5. Deron Williams - Utah Jazz - One of the league’s most underrated players, Deron Williams put up numbers (19.0 ppg, 10.6 apg) that were similar to Chris Paul (21.1 ppg, 11.6 apg) and Steve Nash (17.2 ppg, 11.1 apg).

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5. Deron Williams - Utah Jazz - One of the league’s most underrated players, Deron Williams put up numbers (19.0 ppg, 10.6 apg) that were similar to Chris Paul (21.1 ppg, 11.6 apg) and Steve Nash (17.2 ppg, 11.1 apg).

4. LeBron James - Cleveland Cavaliers - LeBron’s justification for his name in the MVP mix is based on his numbers; 30.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 7.2 ppg. A 45-36 Cavaliers record is preventing King James from making a serious run at taking home the award.

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4. LeBron James - Cleveland Cavaliers - LeBron’s justification for his name in the MVP mix is based on his numbers; 30.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 7.2 ppg. A 45-36 Cavaliers record is preventing King James from making a serious run at taking home the award.

Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics - The Boston Celtics instantly became contenders for the NBA Championship after acquiring Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2007. The Celtics shipped five players including Al Jefferson and two draft picks for Garnett. It was the largest number of players traded for any single player in NBA history. Boston locked up Garnett, signing the forward to a 3-year, $60 million extension on the day of the trade.

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3. Kevin Garnett - Boston Celtics - Kevin Garnett’s nine games he missed this season might have cost the 6-foot-11 forward the MVP. Boston went 7-2 without The Big Ticket in the lineup. But who needs the MVP award when you are the favorite for the NBA title?

2. Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets - Any other year, Chris Paul would walk away with his first MVP award. And he very well could have were it not for back-to-back losses against the Lakers and the Kings last weekend. But the third-year point guard has to pay his dues and a certain guard in LaLa land named …

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2. Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets - Any other year, Chris Paul would walk away with his first MVP award. And he very well could have were it not for back-to-back losses against the Lakers and the Kings last weekend. But the third-year point guard has to pay his dues and a certain guard in LaLa land named …

1. Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers - … Kobe Bryant is this year’s MVP. Love him or hate him, Bryant has led the Los Angeles Lakers to the top seed in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Did I mention he’s playing with a torn ligament in his right pinkie?

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1. Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers - … Kobe Bryant is this year’s MVP. Love him or hate him, Bryant has led the Los Angeles Lakers to the top seed in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Did I mention he’s playing with a torn ligament in his right pinkie?

#1. Los Angeles Sparks - Candace Parker - The redshirt junior declared for the WNBA Draft a year early but she’s still leaving Tennessee with two national titles. Parker averaged 20.8 points and 8.6 rebounds this past season for the Lady Vols.

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