How Derrick Rose Impacts MVP Race

As I'm sitting here at 2:05 AM typing this, scrolling down my news feed I see lots of Derrick Rose memes like usual. I think its funny because people are so ignorant and forget just how great Derrick Rose is when he is healthy. Before I get into this article let me just state that this coming NBA season Derrick Rose will come off a huge ACL injury and will win the MVP award over the likes of Kevin Durant and Lebron James. I will now allow you to take this time to curse me out via twitter @TruSchoolSports and question my knowledge of basketball.

As we all know Derrick Rose missed all of last season, sitting on the bench in street clothes watching every Bulls game. Some have even called him “the highest paid fan ever”. Joke all you want about him riding the bench last year but the fact of the matter is that this guy during the 2010-2011 season became the youngest MVP in league history at the age of 22. His level of greatness during that season was so undeniable that out of 120 first place votes, 113 were awarded to Rose via the NBA sportswriters and broadcasters. That same year he was the only player in the league who ranked top 10 in scoring and assists. His return impacts every superstar in the league as far as the MVP race is concerned.

Lebron James

The guy that benefited most the Rose injury was Lebron James who captured back to back titles while he was recovering. Although he did beat Rose in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals the fact of the matter is that the Chicago Bulls and Rose are Lebrons biggest threat and many could argue that his road to finals greatness was easier because Rose wasn't healthy. Now I have heard many people here in South Florida say “Lebron should have won the MVP that year, Rose didn't deserve it”. That’s nonsense and the fact of the matter is that he didn't even finish 2^nd place in voting, he finished 3^rd behind Dwight Howard. That’s right at 643 points Howard had more then Lebron's 522 points. The return of Rose has a huge affect on Lebron so he better make sure that he leads the Miami Heat to the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference as well as winning head to head battles vs Rose.

Kevin Durant

With the exception of maybe Rose himself, I don't think any player in the league is more upset about Lebron's title success than Kevin Durant. Last season KD and the Thunder (Minus Russell Westbrook) were eliminated by the Memphis Grizzlies. This season the Thunder are expected to be in the NBA Finals once again to meet the Miami Heat. Durant's ultimate priority is to win a championship but I'm sure he would love to validate himself as the best player in the league with an individual accolade such as the NBA MVP award all while proving that OKC is the premier team in the Western Conference. It's hard enough for KD to win that award over a guy like Lebron but with Rose added to the mix its about to get even harder for Durant. He hasn't averaged 30 points per game in 3 seasons, if he can re establish himself as the premier scorer in the NBA along with dominating the west then he has an incredible chance to take home the MVP hardware this season.

Chris Paul

No current superstar in the whole league has more to prove with the return of Derrick Rose more than Chris Paul. CP3 has a newly improved roster to go along with a new contract extension that will keep him in LA over the next 5 seasons. Many consider him the best point guard and now that Rose is back he will have more motivation than ever to prove why he is the best at his position. Winning a championship for the Clippers is enough to keep CP3 motivated but with Rose returning he has to prove why he and the Clippers are the best this season.

There many other players I could list who will be in the discussion for MVP but some won't win it for many reasons. Carmelo won't win because the Knicks will not improve on their #2 seeding from last season. Tony Parker won't win because basketball “experts” think the Spurs are boring. Kobe and the Lakers won't be good enough this year to garner him enough votes for an MVP award this season.

As we can see the return of the former MVP drastically impacts the race for the award. It should push players in the conversation to up their game and be razor sharp skills wise once the season starts. October 29^th the 2011 MVP (Derrick Rose) takes on the MVP of the last 2 seasons in Lebron James as the Chicago Bulls go on the road to take on the Miami Heat who will be raising up their championship banner. Expect Rose to announce himself to the basketball world against the defending champs with a statement performance for what will be an MVP-caliber season.

Great Rookie Cards (Part 1)

I have always said that sports card whether it baseball,basketball or football cards are like cardboard time machines. You can always just pick one up and its like you are there in that exact time period on the card. Rookie cards are a huge deal in the hobby especially if they are older rookie cards. For the older generation the very sight of guys they grew up watching can stir up memories from long ago. For the younger generation of sports fans rookie cards can be a history lesson. So with that said I bring you the 1st of 4 installments of “40 Great Rookie Cards”.

#40 1986 Topps Brian Bozworth RC

Brian Bozworth never lived up to the hype in the NFL but he was a 2 time all-american at Oklahoma. Bozworth was drafted #1 overall by the Seattle Seahawks and was signed to the biggest rookie contract ever at 10 years/11 million$. This card represents disappointment and unfulfilled hype.

#39 1991 Upperdeck Dikembe Mutombo

Recognized for his trademark finger wag after blocked shots Dikembe Mutombo is the 2^nd best shot blocker in NBA history behind only Hakeem Olajuwon. He is also responsible for one of the biggest upsets in NBA history as the #8 seeded Denver Nuggets upset the #1 seeded Seattle Supersonics. He recorded 31 blocks in that series which is a record for 5 game series.

#38 1990 Fleer Shawn Kemp

When you talk about the NBA in the 90’s you got to talk about those Sonics teams with Gary Payton&Shawn Kemp. They never captured an NBA title but they are arguably the greatest team to never win the title and had it been any other team than the 96 Chicago Bulls they would probably have a ring. Shawn Kemp though was a very fun player to watch and a productive one at that making 6 all-star teams.

#37 1991 Fleer Larry Johnson

“Grandmama” was one of the most productive forwards in the NBA during the early 1990’s. The 2-time all-star captured the rookie of the year award in 1991-1992 averaging 19 Points and 11 Rebounds. Many wonder how much greater his career would have been had he not had knee problems. When healthy though LJ and Alonzo Mourning were one of the best frontcourts in the NBA.

#36  2003 Topps Dwyane Wade

Its been a great decade and some change for Dwyane Wade he is a 3 shooting guards. It was in his rookie season when he hit the game winning shot over Baron Davis to win game 1 of the eastern conference quarter finals over Hornets that we know he would be special.

 

#35  2003 Topps Carmleo Anthony

Fresh out of Oak Hill Academy Carmelo Anthony was heading to the Nuggets with the burden of now being the franchise player. He didn’t disappoint leading the Nuggets in scoring at 21 points per game and back to the playoffs for the first time in 2 seasons.

#34 1990 Upperdeck Sammy Sosa

Pre Chicago Cub days Sammy Sosa had a stint with the Whitesox. Sosa remains one of the preeminent figures in the steroid era but is still the only player in Major League history 3 seasons of 60+ home runs.

#33 1986 Fleer Dominique Wilkins

Known as one of the greatest dunkers in NBA history and for his battles in the dunk contest with Michael Jordan Dominique Wilkins was an accomplished basketball player. The 9 time all-star remains to this day the best player in Atlanta Hawks franchise history.

#32 1984 Topps John Elway

John Elway to this day is Denver Broncos football whether its speaking about the past or right now. Elway led his team to the super bowl 5 times but didn’t capture his 1^st until 1998 against the Green Bay Packers in his 4^th appearances. The Broncos repeated in 1999 as champions and Elway cemented his place in football history.

#31 2005 SP Authentic Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby since he stepped foot in the NHL has been the face of it and in some ways revived the game and has been responsible for its growth. In 2009 Crosby helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup over the Detroit Redwings.

#30 1990 Fleer Isiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas was the leader and best player on the “Bad Boys” Pistons teams who won back to back titles and gave Michael Jordan problems early in his career. Thomas is recognized as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.