The WNBA's MVP Debate
The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.August 1998
There is a debate in the WNBA on who should win the league MVP award: Houston Comets guard Cynthia Cooper or Phoenix Mercury center Jennifer Gillom. However, fans in each city will disagree and state: "there's no debate". Comets' fans say, "It's Coop's award -- no doubt." Meanwhile, Mercury fans counter with, "Grandmama deserves it. If she doesn't get it, she was robbed." Sounds like a debate to me.
Jennifer Gillom, 20 plus points a game, trails only Cooper (23 plus points a game) in scoring. Her season high is 36 points against Cleveland in a double overtime victory over the Rockers in Cleveland. She's also in the top 10 in steals, rebounds, field goal percentage, and 3 pt. percentage. Also, she's hit a game winning three pointer to defeat Detroit and banked in two other 3 point heaves to send games into overtime. She is without a doubt the Mercury's most consistent offensive threat.
On the other hand, Coop leads the league in scoring, goes to the free throw line more than any other player, and is also in the top 10 in minutes played, assists per game, free throw percentage, steals and 3 point percentage. Her season high point total is 34. Sure she has more offensive help from her teammates (forward Sheryl Swoopes, forward Tina Thompson, and forward Janeth Arcain) than Gillom; but, no one doubts Coop is the glue of the Comets.
Both players get beat up physically by the opposition game to game and both have bitched about the officiating after games. Although only Cooper has been fined by the league for "talking negatively about the officials".
However, Coop has Gillom beat when it comes to recovering from injuries and returning to games and making an impact. Coop has been poked in the eye in Charlotte; received a black eye in Phoenix; kneed in the quadriceps in Detroit; and suffered a mild concussion in Houston. After each injury, she has returned to the game, usually in the second half, despite doubts about her physical health and availability. Each return has been marked by scoring bursts against the opposition as if Coop were saying, "You're going to have to better than to get rid of me." Of the 4 games she's suffered injuries, the Comets lost only 1 -- at Phoenix by 3. Gillom scored 20 points.
Similar to the NBA, the WNBA has no set criteria to determine most valuable player. The Cooper vs. Gillom debate is similar to the NBA's Jordan vs. Mailman debate. Karl Malone won the honor in 1997. Then, MJ won the Finals MVP and led the Bulls to title number 5. In 1998, MJ was named MVP with Malone finishing second.
Many people argue MJ should win MVP every year he's in the league. They say, "He's the best player on the best team. Case closed." If that is the selected criteria, then Cynthia Cooper should be named Most Valuable Player with no question. She's the best player on the best team. Period.
However, I have a criteria for determining the Roundball' MVP (see for yourself). Based on the criteria, I've made my choice: Coop. Her will to win is rivaled only by one player: Michael Jordan.
