KB81 for MVP

The web, the part that isn't pornography or social utilities is littered with one debate above all others - Kobe or Chris Paul for MVP.
And I have to say for some reason this season, I lost all interest in the New Jersey Nets and perhaps something about the indignity of Kobe not being MVP last season made me follow him more than others this season.
I say indignity because the MVP is like the Brownlow and other accolades, murkily concealed between an individual and team award. It isn't like many music industry awards (thankfully) and thus instead of being based on polls or voting reflects sales, if this was the case then Jordan would probably still be winning the award on credit.
But it is like the Brownlow in that if you are the best player in the world, THE WORLD, you can still lose it if your team loses it. As Naturally as the Brownlow is dominated by midfielders (who control the flow of scoring opportuities to the forward 50) so too will it appear that MVP will become dominated by Point Guards (who set up the plays).
And this accounts for the indignity of Kobe being overlooked at least last year and possibly every year since Shaq left.
Because Kobe is the man you can deliver the ball to, and can simply create a shot for himself. Not only that but he will do it in the clutch. Not just that but he gives on both ends, capable of pulling down rebounds and steals and blocks and being an all around defensive menace.
Chris Paul racks up steals to be sure, and for his age in the league to be in the MVP race means he is probably going to be huge for the next 5 years, and certainly is more promising than the marketed down our throats Lebron.
But maybe I'm sentimental. Kobe's stats put him clearly in contention, and then his team has the best record in the west.
But that aside Kobe is I believe still the one guy you could put in any team and guaruntee a trip to the playoffs. He failed once the second year after Shaq left, but Chris Paul failed last year in a much weaker western conference.
If I had to pick, right here right now a player that would win games, fill seats and generate excitement, you could pick either, but you would pick Kobe this year over CP3 so that's my vote, not that I have an official ballot slip.
But again perhaps the onion says it better:

Kobe Bryant Named As 2008 Olympic Basketball Team