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MVP Candidates Square Off in Motown

Talking about MVP candidates the three names that get tossed around are Kobe Bryant, Chauncey Billups and Steve Nash. Tonight, two of them will go head to head in Detroit as the Pistons host the Lakers, in a repeat of 2004 finals series. In the red corner wearing the white trunks will be PG Chauncey Billups, who is only leading an awe-inspiring 36-5 team, winning games with clutch play and posting career numbers.

Billups is having a remarkable season statistics wise. He is averaging 19.5 PPG, 8.6 ASG and an efficiency rating of 22.3. Interestingly his three point FG% is slightly above (43.8%) than his overall shooting percentage of 43.3%. But his statistics don?t fully tell the intangibles of this court leader. Billups has had career high nights in both points (38) and assists (19) this season and has really become the ?go to guy? on the team most of the season when a key shot is need.

In the blue corner, most likely wearing purple and gold trunks will be ?Mr. 81?, Kobe Bryant. Bryant in my view was almost as impressive on Friday night as in his historic 81 against the Raptors early last week for shaking off a 2-12 start against Golden State - getting his teammates involved and then going wild in 4th quarter and over-time to get 30 points and the win.