NBA MVP: Big Game Huntin', Last Shot

This issue: AI/The Answer vs. 'Melo. Teammates in Denver, but not here. Two of the best ballers in the NBA fall into our "NBA Pit". Who's better...who's best? 32 start...1 will be your MVP.

ALLEN IVERSON/DENVER NUGGETS (#6 SEED, BIRD 33 REGION)

A lot of nicknames for a little guy, but one with a lot of heart and a lot of game. He single-handedly carried a sub-par 76ers franchise from the day he came into the league until last year, when he was sent packing to the Rocky Mountains. Paired with today's opponent, the two have lit up scoreboards across the league. The question for both of them is: can they win together long-term? Still Un-"Answered", it is still early in the duo's run to make a final determination on the project. So far not bad. A hall-of-fame lock and a career 27.8 points-per-game scorer, Iverson has averaged higher than 30 ppg 5 times. With a career playoff average of 30 ppg, AI tasted the Finals once and got mauled by the Shaq-Kobe Lakers in 5. Not Al's fault, as Philly would have gotten nowhere near the Finals if not for him running the table versus a weak East.

CARMELO ANTHONY/DENVER NUGGETS (#3 SEED, BIRD 33 REGION)

One year at Syracuse was all that was required not only to be a top draft pick, but to provide the University with an NCAA Championship. Denver was banking on that pedigree when taking Anthony. He has delivered on the scoring front, a career 24.1 scorer, married with an OK 5.7 rebounds per game. His D can use mucho trabajo, a weak point of his game, although it has improved some since his entry into the league in 03-04. It is time for the forward to step forward and be a team leader together with his opponent. Rumor is that he has stepped up his game in this regard, but time will tell if it is enough to lead the team into the second-half of the playoffs.

IVERSONANTHONY

PTS 26.3 25.5

REB 2.9 6.5

AST 3.7 3.7

STL 2.4 1.4

BLK .14 .64

TEAM 17-11 17-11

Who you got? Your opinion counts! Drop me a comment.

Loser goes home, winner moves on until an MVP is crowned.

Results and new match up - next issue.

LAST ISSUE

We still go 15, old-school, championship rounds here. No 12 rounders thank you. What's next? 6 - inning baseball games?