NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

The New Orleans Hornets needed game 3 in their series with the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets were starting to believe in themselves with Chauncey Billups showing them the way to win in the playoffs.

The Hornets were at home and ready to perform. Chris Paul led the way and the Hornets pulled it out. Carmelo Anthony had a chance to win it at the end, but missed a jump shot with 3.2 seconds left in the game.

Chris Paul puts on a playoff performance of excellence

Chris Paul, who only rested for a hiccup, had game highs with 32 points and 12 assists. David West had 19 points and nine rebounds.

Anthony led Denver with 25 points. Chauncey Billups, who had score 30-plus points in the first two games of the series, finished with 16, eight of which came on free throws.

“I don’t think anybody in the world thought we’d win them all,” Nuggets Coach George Karl said.

Game 4 is Monday night at 7:30 p.m. at the New Orleans Arena.

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It must be mentioned that James Posey played a huge role in this victory. Yes, that is the same Posey that played a big role in the Celtics winning it all last year. After the title with Boston, James Posey signed with the Hornets and continues his off the bench heroics. Posey had 13 points and played some tough defense.

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NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

MVP time is this week Thursday and the choice is a tough one. LeBron James or Kobe Bryant? It really is down to the two of them as Dwyane Wade as had a drop-off recently and that remains in the voters’ minds.

Kobe Bryant is hardly fifth best?

One way to look at a player’s production is the Bird value.

As always, I am informed, but not driven, by the formula three-time MVP Larry Bird devised to quantify any player’s true value: points, rebounds, assists, steal and blocks, minus missed shots, missed free throws and turnovers. The sum is divided by games played. It’s a great jumping-off point for careful consideration.

LeBron James, Cavaliers

Bird average: 32.15

Case for MVP: He has the highest Bird value. Additionally, he’s nearly as good a closer as Bryant, still the player every coach would want taking a deciding shot in Game 7 of an NBA Finals. He’s worthy of consideration for the All-Defensive team, too. Simply, he gets the vote because he’s the reason Cavaliers have the best record.

Kobe Bryant, Lakers

Bird average: 24.26

Case for MVP: No player in the league is more reliable when the ball is in his hands and the game is on the line, or more focused on getting a stop in the same circumstance. Plus, he understands, more than at any time in his career, how to make his teammates better.

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In case you were wondering:
Chris Paul 30.3
Dwyane Wade 28.98
Dwight Howard 27.32

My personal consideration of this matter reveals that stats are stats and don’t always tell the story. While LeBron is certainly deserving, you can’t put Kobe 5th in this group. Kobe or LeBron will likely win the award.

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NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

Maverick fans have to be drooling. Mark Cuban has let it be known that he would pick up the two worst contracts on the Hornets in order to get Chris Paul.

It makes the mind swirl to think of the Dallas Mavericks picking up Chris Paul to play on the same team as Dirk Nowitzki. You would have a former MVP still playing at a very high level with a future MVP candidate adding some much needed full court speed.

Chris Paul defies the laws of gravity

Dirk is still one of the top mismatch players in the league, presenting an interesting combination of size and long distance shooting ability. If you added in Chris Paul, just think of the explosiveness on the Mavericks. Chris is a penetrating point guard and they rule the NBA right now.

So why would the Hornets let this deal happen?

In a word, contracts. They have way too many dollars tied up in longer contracts.

Who would the Hornets want to get rid of so badly that they’d be willing to part with Paul? Peja Stojakovic ($13.39 million next season and $14.26 in 2010-11) would definitely be part of the deal. Chandler ($12.3 next season and $13.2 in 2010-11) probably would be included, too. Morris Peterson (due a total of $12 million over the next two seasons) or James Posey ($19.5 million over three seasons) are other possibilities.

Stojakovic’s contract ranks among the worst in the league. He’s had a very good career, but he’s an oft-injured 40-percent jump shooter these days. But he is the starting small forward for a playoff team.

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