Did MVP Announcement Hurt Nash/Suns VS LA?

[birdsanctuary]

It certainly seems to me that the rumor/announcement that Nash would be named MVP has fueled Kobe Bryant in this series. Oddly, it fueled Kobe to do the unthinkable, adjust his game as a true MVP would, and become a critical part of the "team concept." Prior to the beginning of the season I would have unequivocably given Kobe the title of "Best Player in Basketball" albeit with some hesitation due to the onset of King James in the East. I would never have considered his selfish 61, 82 point tirades or any other part of the regular season worthy of MVP consideration. But now, Kobe is playing like a true MVP.

Kobe: "That fa**it Nash, he's not the MVP, I am!"
Phil: "Kobe, if you think you are the MVP, start fu*kin playing like one and start making your teammates better!"
Kobe: "Fine! Mr. Zen-I'm-the-Dali-Lama's-white-cousin tell me how to do it?"
Phil: "You've been a one man show all year, stop jacking every damn shot, and start passing the ball unless you feel 100% sure you'll make it!"
Kobe: "So if I do this...we'll win the series?"
Phil: "We'll see a game 7."
Kobe (with a big stupid as$ Kobe grin): "Ok, I'll do it."

[MavKikiNYC]

Yeah.

You wonder if Nash might not be wired in such a way that he feels guilty about being named MVP the second time, especially when he most likely didn't deserve it?

He seemed a little subdued the other night, and looked like he didn't really want to go back at Kobe, which of course he definitely should've.

Bird would've.

Maybe Dirk will too one day. That's the other aspect of Nash winning when Dirk was probably more deserving--will it finally inpire a little spiteful competitiveness in Dirk?

[capitalcity]

Of course. It's a farce and a slap in the face of Kobe Bryant.

[dude1394]

I sure hope so... I'm hoping the second greatest point guard in nba history gets bounced in the first round. Quite fitting actually.

[Drbio]

If a player needs to step up his game because of an announcement and cannot do it because it is a playoff game, he probably isn't much of a player to begin with.

[rabbitproof]

Say what you want about already excited, don't need extra motivation but the fact is that if you are personally insulted, you will be more revved up then norm.

I think Kobe defintely took the MVP as a personal insult and possibly also the reason (distributor vs dominator) as an extra personal diss.

[Drbio]

Oh I understand where you are coming from and don't necessarily disagree in principle. But one of the knocks on showbe has been that he doesn't get up for all of the games. That's kinda lame imho. Certainly he is selfish.

[nashtymavsfan13]

I don't think it's distracting Nash, but I do think it's making Kobe and the Lakers more fired up to win the series.

[rabbitproof]

If you mean compete with energy and effort by get up, I disagree. I think Kobe brings 100% every night. If you mean do what it takes to help his team win, I kind of agree, usually in the form of getting his teammates involved and trusting them.

[MavKikiNYC]

Ahem. <bump>