Stan Van Gundy: The Media has already Chiseled Derrick Rose on the MVP trophy
The Orlando Magic’s coach Stan Van Gundy is far from subtle or quiet as he is well know for his public tirades about other NBA teams or the NBA Commissioner David Stern. On Wednesday, he turned his attention to the media crowing the Chicago Bulls Derrick Rose as this season’s MVP.
The Orlando Sentinel reports Van Gundy said the media is the voting body for the award and every member of the media he knows is in favor of the Chicago point guard.
“I don’t think it’s wide-open,” Van Gundy said. “The media seems to have made their decision and they’re the ones who vote. So I think it’s over.”
The Magic’s coach went on to say he thinks the media is over looking what Magic center Dwight Howard has been doing all season. Howard is second in the league in three categories with averages of : 14.3 rebounds, 60% field goal percentage and 2.43 blocks per game. The Orlando big man is also averaging 20 points per game to lead his team.
I agree with Van Gundy on his statement about Rose having the award in the bag. But, I think Rose deserves it more than Howard.
Sure, Howard is having a beast season and is an MVP candidate on everyone’s dry erase board, but Rose is doing something he isn’t. The Chicago Bulls are on the top of the Eastern Conference with a 51-20 record while the Magic are in fourth with a 45-26 record.
Chicago is winning more games because of Rose’s performance from the beginning until the end of the game. He does everything including: score, pass and defend. He doesn’t have a 60% field goal percentage, but he doesn’t have a 58% free throw percentage either.
Opposing defenses can hack away at Howard in the waning minutes of a game with out worry because he can’t hit free throws. If the ball gets in Rose’s hands at the end of the game, teams are doomed because he’ll make free throws, free him self up for a high percentage shot or find an open shooter.
As I mentioned before, Howard is having a great season and deserves the award, but not as much as Rose does.
