The Ole-Vote

Suggestions for the MVP Selection

March 30, 2008

Re-reading yesterday’s blog entry (yes, I do that!) on the various schools of thought on MVP voting - click here to read it: [1] - I noticed that somehow it was lacking in something. I thought it was a bit long and dry, not funny enough. While that may be so, the article also struck me as something else: passive.

Here I was, reciting all the different ways and mechanisms people use to determine their choice for MVP, and I just left it at that. Sure, I briefly criticised each of the approaches and outlined why they weren’t really satisfactory. But in the end, I gave in to the overwhelming might of the factual and sheepishly accepted the unpleasant reality as a given. There is no point in trying to change a system that’s been in place for so long.

I am certainly not a Conservative politically or socially and while there is a passive-phlegmatic side to my character, I won’t let the NBA of the hook so easily on this one.

Here then, my suggestions for a revised MVP vote:

Just to recall, the MVP is presently voted on by a selection of sportswriters covering the NBA. Until 1980, however, the MVP was awarded by the players themselves to one their peers. The problem was, though, that the award was partly a popularity contest – one of the reasons Wilt Chamberlain did not win the award every year. Sportswriters, on the other hand, face the same dilemma as I highlighted yesterday.

Therefore my voting system, the infallible and modestly-named Ole-Vote, is designed to even out the inevitable injustices by using a three-tiered vote. The idea is very simple:

1. One third of the vote goes to those who have to face the MVP at least twice per season: the players. Who, after all, is in a better position to judge the MVP then those who go up against him on the court? Sure, there is an element of chance involved. A player may be fairly inconsistent but save his best performances for a particular opponent. And friendships (and the opposite) can tilt the vote – maybe Chris Paul and Dwight Howard play online computer games together and then Howard will vote for Paul…

2. To correct such tricky issues, the second third of the vote is given to the coaches with the sole restriction that they can’t pick one of their own players. Coaches, even more so than players, know the most dominant, most unstoppable player because, well, it’s their job to devise schemes to try and stop them. Coaches also watch endless hours of games on tape so they should have a good overview over the entire League.

3. The third group is going to be the media and thus will be similar to the current group of sportswriters – only that bloggers will also get to cast a vote. Journalists accompany the players throughout the season, analyze their performance and by means of their reporting help to shape perceptions. In other words, they are important and deserve a say.

The NBA and Democracy?

Any questions? Well, some of you may notice a missing element: the wider public. I am normally a strong supporter of democracy but it is not a coincidence that the inspiration for the Ole-Vote is the old Prussian three-class franchise system – not necessarily a model of equality and inclusiveness.

You may wonder what’s wrong with the fans having a say in the MVP vote. The customer is always right, isn’t she? Not in this case if you ask me.

The fans already have one honour that they award all by themselves, that is the All-Star Game’s starting five. The All-Star Game is specifically designed to increase fan interest and while a spot on the team is coveted, some – like Baron Davis this year – don’t mind spending a few days away from basketball. The MVP award, however, should go to someone who is truly deserving of it and – pardon my technocratic belief in the relative wisdom of experts – should be chosen by people who have a track record of playing, coaching or writing about basketball.

And don’t forget Tocqueville’s tyranny of the majority. If we allow fan voting to determine the MVP, Yao Ming might become the first ten-time Most Valuable Player. It’s not his fault and you can’t blame casual Chinese fans for considering Yao the best player in the League but in my eyes it’s a great example for those occasions when democracy fails. And the NBA with their millionaire players and billionaire owners is hardly a symbol of representation to begin with.

Speaking of which… I assume that upon reading this blog, NBA Commissioner David Stern will immediately gather his minions and order them to carry out my proposal. And while they’re at it, could they please also abolish the current playoff system and allow the 16 best teams irrespective of Conferences to play in the postseason?! I am afraid, that is the only hope left for poor Dirk and his struggling Dallas Mavericks.

So, David, listen up and act! Or you will have been the most valuable commissioner in sports the longest time…

- Ole

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