Mike Brown: Kobe Bryant Getting Overlooked in MVP Race


Lakers head coach Mike Brown continues to stump for his favorite MVP candidate in all of the land. Brown claims that fans and media discounted Kobe’s chances at winning the award before the season even began. Per the OC Register: “Mike Brown obviously believes Kobe Bryant should be among the MVP candidates, but not just because he coaches him. He has a laundry list of reasons why the Lakers star should be considered, along with Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Miami’s LeBron James and San Antonio guard Tony Parker, for the regular-season honor. For instance, the coach pointed out, take Bryant’s age and the fact he is leading the league in scoring and minutes … ‘Obviously I’m biased like most coaches would be about their guys,’ Brown said. ‘But I still believe that Kobe should be one of the top guys, the top three mentioned. His name should be bantered around.’ Brown said Bryant, the 2008 MVP, has had to deal with more adversity this season than Durant or James. […] ‘A lot of people, before the season I felt, had written off a guy like Kobe,’ Brown said. ‘So for Kobe to be playing at the level he is playing now and for the team to have the sort of success we’ve had so far, when you compared it to the other teams and where they sit and their continuity … I believe Kobe’s name should be mentioned right there (with the others.)’”