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Today’s message board oddity includes two oddities and doesn’t come from an actual message board. However, the absurdity of the statements fully qualify as “message board oddities.” In a feature entitled “Roundtable: Who is the league’s 2007-08 MVP”, each of ESPN’s NBA writers submitted annotated ballots telling who should receive the NBA MVP and why. Most of the ballots presented logical arguments except for those of J.A. Adande and Jemele Hill.

While Adande is usually one of the more competent members on Around the Horn, his stance on Chris Paul’s MVP qualifications are a little suspect to say the least. In his top-five candidates, J.A. ranks Paul third behind Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett for the following reason:

“Without ‘Western Conference’s top team’ on it, Paul’s résumé isn’t quite as strong. Still, I love the tempo he sets for the Hornets. He has an almost innate ability to know exactly where Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic are and get them the ball in the right places.” [1]

[1] Chris Paul had one of the top-five seasons by a point guard in the history of the NBA, but his resume isn’t as strong as Kobe’s? Is it not enough that he averages 21 and 12, leads the league in steals, and gives away fewer than three turnovers a game? Is it not enough that his team, which seriously lacks depth and experience, has been atop the highly-touted Western Conference for much of the season? If the Hornets’ and Lakers’ record is basically identical, and L.A. has significantly more talent, then doesn’t that mean Chris Paul is more valuable ? As far as stats and wins go, fans may be witnessing one of the best seasons played by one of the best point guards ever. And if that’s not enough, he has nearly single-handedly saved an entire city from losing its NBA franchise. It’s fine If you want to say that Kobe and KG are more valuable defensive players, but don’t blame it on CP’s resume. Clearly, Chris Paul brings much more to the table than “tempo” and “team chemistry”.

Part B of today’s oddities comes from ESPN Page 2 columnist Jemele HIll who, despite defending Chris Paul as the MVP for much of the season, switched her vote to Kobe Bryant at the last second. But that isn’t why she qualified for today’s oddities, it’s who she chose as her fifth-place candidate that awarded her with the honor:

“5. Hedo Turkoglu: Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard is the star, but Turk established himself as the Magic’s go-to player. Turkoglu improved in every statistical category and showed he’s much more than just a shooter. And the Magic leapt from a walkover No. 8 playoff seed to a No. 3.” [2]

[2] Ok, Turkoglu is having one of his best seasons ever. But it’s just that – one of his best seasons. First of all, he’s the number two in Orlando, a team that would be fighting for an eight-seed right now if they competed in the west. And second, his stat line is 19, 6, and 5, and he doesn’t rank near the top of the league in any statistical category…….except turnovers (11th). Somebody needs to tell Jemele that in order to be an MVP candidate, you have to at least be the MVP of your own team. Saying Turkoglu is a top-five MVP candidate is just as absurd as if Dirk Nowitzki would have won the award last season. Wait…did that actually happen?