By Joseph Boylan

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The big one...Everybody’s favorite award to argue over is the Most Valuable Player. In today’s sports world, there is a constant dilemma when choosing the MVP, because many people are unclear over the definition of the award. Sure, it seems obvious to most people -- it’s even written out in the name. Yet people still contend that MVP should be awarded to the best player in the respective sport. For example, Alex Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers. Does he deserve MVP consideration? Hell no. Barry Bonds, as World Series MVP? Did he win? Just as the NBA, the public seems diluted as to the idea of an MVP. The award should go to the person most essential to his team’s success on the court. Not the best player, the most complete player, the best highest scoring average or the biggest box-office draw. There should be a more accountable way to decide who the league’s MVP is -- starting right where it counts: the win column.

The definition of a "valuable player" is someone who is essential to a team winning. Without that player, the team wouldn’t be successful. That means if DMiles throws down 25 a game with 10 boards for a Cleveland team that wins 20 games, that’s all well and good. But even without him, the Cavs STILL could have sucked. The first restriction on MVP awards should be that "1a. No player who’s team does not reach the post-season is not eligible for the award." So for the Pau Gasols, Jason Richardsons, or anyone else who might put up sick numbers for their lottery-bound squad, I’m sorry. You’re out of luck. I don’t care if Gasol averages 50 a game, if his team doesn’t win 50 games, to me those numbers are irrelevant.

Secondly, if a team can thrive in the player’s absence, their name is removed from MVP consideration. Are you listening Vince Carter? Chris Webber? These so-called "superstars" go down with injuries and what happens? Their team realizes that just because Webb and Carter are getting max contracts doesn’t mean they are worth their weight to the team. If Jason Kidd would have tweaked an ankle sometime during last season, would we have seen the Nets reel off 10 wins to squeek into the playoffs? I highly doubt it.

The Contenders, Very Valuable Players (VVP): Finally, the contender list. After taking a long list at the parameters, I give you the contenders for the MVP award. Players from team-oriented winning teams (Pistons, Pacers) are excluded from this list because the concept of their teams doesn’t put the onus on a single player, meaning one is no more valuable than the others.

Tim Duncan, F, San Antonio Spurs.

The Big Fundamental. Let’s be honest, if Duncan bolts San Antonio, the entire franchise is going under. Duncan means everything and more to the Spurs who rely on him for both offensive and defensive anchoring. He ranked top 5 in points, rebounds, and blocks while shooting 50% from the floor. 40 minutes a game, 82 games a year. He played practically every minute of every game last year, which is the only reason the Spurs kept their head above water. With Duncan, the Spurs are legitimate title contenders. Without him, they’re lottery-bound. He has the numbers, the responsibility, and the wins that put him atop this list.

Jason Kidd, G, New Jersey Nets

What can you say about the Nets marvelous one-year turn-around? New acquisition Todd McCullough, the emergence of Kenyon Martin, Keith Van Horn and a healthy Kerry Kittles? Well, yes, yes, yes, and yes...but the main reason was PG Jason Kidd, the soon-to-be most sought after free agent in recent history when his contract expires next off-season. Kidd, who led the league in assists last year, figures to build on those numbers this season. There is a very real picture of the Nets without Jason Kidd: The New York Knicks, which is about the record they would end up with if they lost this MVP candidate.

Dirk Nowitzki, F, Dallas Mavericks

Dirk is unique and interesting player when formulating this list. Yes, Dirk is valuable to the Mavericks. He has the statistics and wins to support that claim. However, just HOW valuable is he? With one of the best supporting casts in the NBA, such as All-Stars Steve Nash and Michael Finely, wouldn’t the Mavericks still remain elite even without the Dunking Dutchman? Ordinarily, I’d agree with that argument, but Nowitzki’s emergence in last season’s playoffs cemented my opinion of him as a Very Valuable Player. 33 points, 16 rebounds while shooting 53% from the field and 70% from 3-point range matched up against All-Star Kevin Garnett, leading the Mavs to a sweep. He ended up averaging 28 and 13 for the playoffs, with a 57% clip from downtown as the Mavs were eliminated by the more talented, more experienced Sacramento Kings. The playoffs is where players are made. The regular season is nice, but as Shaq often says, "Just wait until June." The playoffs is where good players make themselves great, and where great players perform on the NBA’s biggest stage.

Kobe Bryant, G, Los Angeles Lakers

How many times have I heard "Kobe? Kobe sucks, man. He ain’t nothing without Shaq." This frustrates me to no end, because its a ridiculously ignorant statement. It’s usually done by people who claim "Anybody could average 20 and 10 on the Lakers...dribble downcourt, dump it into Shaq for the assist. If they collapse, he kicks it out and I’d be wiiiiiide open." Unfortunately for Kobe, it’s not that easy. Instead, he has become the most complete player in the game -- scoring, passing, rebounding, and defending and likened himself the Great One himself by taking over pretty much every close games in the playoffs. His reputation is solidified by the three rings he owns...and may I remind you Shaq wasn’t exactly trucking his way to the NBA title until Kobe developed into the superstar player that he is now. Without Kobe, the Lakers would continue to thrive off Shaq, but would break down in the 4th quarter, in close games, and most importantly, in the playoffs.

Paul Pierce, G/F, Boston Celtics

"The Truth" was consistent 40/82 last season as the main playmaker in the resurgence of the Boston Celtics, averaging 26 and 7, shooting 44% from the field. He torched Philly in Round 1 of the playoffs with an all-around game, and continued his strong play throughout the playoffs, almost willing the Celtics to the Finals, averaging 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. You see my emphasis on the playoffs, and this is where Pierce proclaimed that the NBA Playoffs was the stage for his coming-out party. The Celtics started Tony Battie and Erik Williams on a team 2 games away from the NBA Finals, showing you just how important Paul Pierce’s game was to his team. If Pierce went down for any length of time, the Celtics would have folded, but thankfully he stayed healthy long enough to down my beloved Pistons.

Allen Iverson, G, Philadelphia 76ers

The most deserving MVP is recent memory is the 2000-2001 MVP awarded to Allen Iverson, who single-handedly willed the 76ers to each and every victory they earned. He continued to do it throughout the playoffs, until he ran into Shaq, Kobe and the Lakers. After a down year, AI is ready to explode again with a totally re-tooled supporting cast. And the success of the Sixers once again depends on how far Allen Iverson carries them on his back. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to new teammates, the Canadian TMac and Keith Van Horn, but regardless the most explosive and talented scorer in the NBA has the ability to single-handedly raise his team to the next level. It remains to be seen if he will turn it around and do it this season.

Tracy McGrady, G/F, Orlando Magic

Tracy McGrady epitomizes all-around game. His ability to score and set up his teammates are seamlessly meshed together, but most importantly, his ability to raise the level of his teammates makes him a VVR. The Orlando Magic roster doesn’t overflow with talent, especially in the past few years with Grant Hill on the injured reserve. Yet, consistently, the Magic are contending in the playoffs. The only reason for this is T-Mac, who is the ultimate match-up problem for any defender. Without Tracy McGrady, the Orlando Magic franchise is more lost than a Hornet fan still in Charlotte. McGrady is the heart, soul, brain, legs, lungs, eyes, ears, and everything else of the Magic. They are the worst team in the league without him.