Originally Posted by jbhtexas 
First, if you watched the Lakers with any regularity, you would understand the error of your statement. If Kobe had left mid-season to have finger surgery, The Lakers don't make the playoffs. Kobe is every bit as valuable to the Lakers as Chris Paul is to the Hornets.
Secondly, the league MVP award is not an award for which player is most valuable to his respective team.
Valuable? Kobe was such a baby last summer about wanting to be traded. One day he was like "get me out of here," the next day he goes on Dan Patrick and says he loves being a laker. Kobe and Garnett were in the same boat. Garnett did the whole trading thing like a man, Kobe whined like a little baby. I really have no beef with Kobe's playing this season, but my opinion is Chris Paul deserved it more.
For me it's not as much about the stats as it is that I believe the Hornets don't even make the playoffs without CP, let alone #2 seed in the West. CP had a good supporting cast, but no where near the Lakers.
