Does he deserve to be a 1st team all-NBA or considered for the MVP?
135655
Dirk Nowitzki is not over rated.  He is a seven foot forward who is virtually unguardable because he can post up on small men, drive by bigger men, and hit threes and mid-range jumpers over anybody.  He has also developed as a rebounder and dishes out a decent amount of assists per game.  I think he is first-team all NBA caliber.
342533
He is very underrated as an all round player. Because he is so tall people naturally expect him to excel in the air whereas in fact he is a much better ball player at his feet. He can hold the ball up very well and his lay off and passing is also very good. Any improvement should come in his finishing especially in the air.
280194
I'm with you on this all the way. And Kobe really does deserve the MVP award- his performance last game when he tied the game at the end of the fourth and won it at the final seconds of over time prove it.
504402
He is the best center in the nba. He''s not a center so you can't compare him to power forwards. The best center used to be Shaq but he is too old already and the torch is now passed to Yao. He still has a ways to go but he is improving every year and is definitely the best center right now.
108681
I think some day he'll be an all-star. If you look at his high-school stats, he was a beast on offense. I was hoping he would go to Charlotte in the draft, so he could showcase his true talents on a team that needed scoring.\n\nHe had 33 ppg, 12 rebound, 7 assists, shot for over 60 percent from 3-point range, and won the McDonalds All-American Dunk Contest.
401207
I agree with the first post that his inconsistency has been a huge downfall of his.  But he has the potential of being a great scorer along the lines of Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Redd (in the future).  He's only in his third year, so I'd expect him to get much better, along with Kirk Hinrich too.
22498
He is one of the most talented players on the court.  He is the one to have on a team!!!\n\nHe's not a ballhog as you might think he is but he is really great at scoring AND passing the ball.\nI mean, not every player can score 40 points per night.\nIf you want to talk about selfish, there's Allen Iverson for that.
532871
I've been asking myself the same question ever since the season began.\n\nI think Lebron has huge chances. The Cavs are doing good and basically, they depend on Lebron to do almost everything. Cavs are a team of nobodies, and if Lebron does have a 52+ win season averaging 29/6/6, He will be a shoe-in for MVP. If not, blame the judges.\n\nOther players I consider for the MVP award are: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas; Steve Nash, Phoenix (He's got the assist stat owned so why not); Carlos Boozer, Utah (guy's been really good this year); Dwyane Wade (Wade's still the same high-powered scoring offensive beast out on the court, but his team isn't doing so well); and Tim Duncan (Probably another best record in the NBA. If Duncan keeps up his 22/12/3 effort, He could be a deadly candidate); Yao Ming (He's shown he deserved the first overall draft pick selection and he is healthy); and Kobe Bryant (Im still doubtful about this; hope Kobe returns to his 81-point form, but with more assists).\n\nThat's all I got. I still think LBJ will get it all.
148176
Most of the players a lot of you have named could be considered overrated, but why?  \n\nMichael Redd?  Just because the Bucks gave him a max contract, it doesn't make him overrated.  It makes him overpaid.  It makes the Bucks look a little less than smart...not stupid though, because Redd is a pretty good player.\n\nNow...to the guy that asked the question.  I've seen a few of your answers from other questions.  I believe you are a certifiable LeBron James hater.\n\nLeBron is 21 years old and he's doing some truly, truly in incredible things.  Look at his numbers, 33 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg.  Name one 21 yr. old player at his position, in history, that has done the things he has accomplished?  Only Magic had the team concept down at such a young age, but he wasn't this good at 21.....neither was Bird, or Jordan.\n\nHis understanding of team involvement, meanwhile dominating is incredible....imagine Scottie Pippen in Karl Malone's body.  Then mix the skills.  Yes...he is almost that big and strong - on top of the athleticism and speed of a modern 2 guard.  Now he is being able to come thru in the clutch, which was his one knock.  Again....he is just 21.\n\nBut anyways......your question was who I thought was overrated.\n\nI can point to quite a few guys....but the ones who stand out are: Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, Allen Iverson.\n\nI love KG...but it's like he has teflon on him.  No one wants to say what needs to be said about him.  He's a warrior, but to a fault.  He demands effort, and if you don't give it....he will cast you down as a pariah right away.  Instead of finding a way to communicate...to encourage... he shuts down and gets steamed up.  He's a great, first ballot HOF player.....but he's had the talent around him to make some decent runs in the playoffs.  Yes, he produces...but is it the kind of production that inspires.....and puts an entire team over the hump....that makes you want to step up to his level?  Not really and it shows.  Show me 5 instances of him coming thru in the clutch.....in his entire career.\n\nStephon Marbury fancies himself a great PG.  He is very good, but he loves his numbers more.  He has all the skills to be great...a franchise guy...he always has.  But at some point...you have to see the greater good of the team over your own wants and needs.  He questions any coach that questions him, and instead of making himself better and more productive...he sulks or he goes to a camera and complains.  He also hasn't been the greatest teammate either.\n\nKobe is one of the top 2 or 3 guys in the league, but he is a team wrecker and one of the most selfish players in league history.  He has the power to really inspire and really uplift the play of everyone on his team.....to create something positive.  He has chosen to do none of the above.  He has chosen to score without regard for any man, child, or woman.  If he was a porn actor, he would the one trying to have sex with 50 women in 50 minutes.  Watch any LA games.  Phil Jackson can usually be seen looking nauseaous on the Laker bench.
395004
Man!!!! yeah he needs to average 30 or even more. \nLakers need his points. Most of the games they won last season were because he scored big.\nHowever, The team still needs to come up and back him up. He needs someone to carry the other load.\nSome one to do wat shaq used to do!\nWhen the Lakers play any team, everyone doubles up Kobe, he cant pass, he cant shoot, and the team insists on giving him the balll! yet if there was someone else that could take responsibility when Kobe is doubled or even trippled up, that person can win it for the lakers.\nI was impressed with Odom's display when Kobe wasnt in the team in the first 2 games. But he needs to do that more often even when Kobe is on the floor.\n\nImagine you have 30 average from Kobe, 20 average from Lamar, and another 20 from one of the other guys per game!!!
173344
So Kobe can score more than every othe NBA player? Big deal. Even if that makes him the most skilled player in the NBA, it doesn't make him the most valuable player. Steve Nash-led teams(Suns and Mavs) have led the league in scoring for 4 out of the past 5 years, and if you ever watched the Suns even once this year and compare them to last year, you can see that Nash made the players around him better. I could write an article on why Nash deserves the MVP award.
677259
steve nash is awesome. he does deserve MVP.
137675
Not the best ever, but definitely one hell of a basketball player.  He has also of skill, uses the fundamentals, and isn't afraid to pass the ball if he's having an off  night.  If he keeps going the way he is he could definitely become a player worthy of Bird or Nowitski type status.
75180
Hell yes- He is a tough, aggressive guy who WANTS to play, although he needs to improve at the free throw line. Next year he will definetly get more playing time, which means that he will imrpove. Give it a couple years or so- he'll be dominant.
317791
He should have won the MVP. No one will give him the respect that he deserves. He's about to beat the best team in the league, and make it into the Finals. People are starting to give him some respect, but he deserves more.
351446
No, he looks like a suk. Whenever he starts losing, he gets this pitiful looks like he's gonna start to cry. And then he starts in with the "I'm injured" or "I was exhausted" crap. Puh-lease. Plus his on court antics, the fist-pumping after every point, the rolling on the ground, it's like something a little immature kid would do. He's in the grown-up world now, start acting like one. And if he's the best, how come he's not #1?
331548
He is not a ball hog, he does whatever it takes to win..we saw in game 7 against suns in second half he didnt even touch the ball last quarter