Via NBCSports: ”LeBron James received 120 of the 121 first place votes for MVP — he was one vote short of being the first ever unanimous pick. The person who cast the lone dissenting vote was the very good, very well respected NBA writer for the Boston Globe Gary Washburn, who defended his vote Monday in the paper. ‘Secondly, this isn’t the Best Player in the Game award, it’s the Most Valuable Player award, and I think what Anthony accomplished this season was worthy of my vote. He led the Knicks to their first division title in 19 years. That’s a long time ago.’”
Go ahead Gary, do you. No shame in your game bro. Seriously though, I don’t get the big deal. Lebron James still won the MVP award. It’s not like having a unanimous vote makes it any different does it? Why are we even talking about this at all? Did Melo play well enough to win the MVP award, never mind steal a few votes? I think so. Guy was outstanding during the last few months of the season and led the Knicks to a division title.
These are the kind of dumb things that blow up now-a-days, especially when talking about the “king.” When he doesn’t win unanimously all hell has to break loose. We go on a wild goose chase to find the guy who didn’t vote for him and chastise him repeatedly for his “mistake.” Want to know another dumb move by these same writers? Kevin Durant didn’t appear on 2 ballots. That means 2 writers didn’t even have Durant in their top 10. Melo himself didn’t appear on 9 ballots. Really? Melo wasn’t a top 10 player this year in terms of value?
It’s really all foolishness to be honest with you, but deep down there’s a bit of satisfaction in knowing a Boston writer kept Lebron from the unanimous vote. Puts a smile on my face on a Monday morning.
