For much of the Mountain West Conference men's basketball season, particularly the last few weeks, the debate raged: Who is the league's player of the year BYU's Lee Cummard or New Mexico's J.R. Giddens?
He is embraced here, still sought by media members hanging on his every word and still adored by University of Illinois fans who haven't forgotten how he took the Illini to the 2005 NCAA Final Four title game.
Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko practiced on Monday before flying with his teammates to Chicago to begin a four-game trip starting against the Bulls at the United Center tonight. Kirilenko has missed Utah's previous three games with a right hip sprain sustained when he was flagrantly fouled by Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki last Wednesday.
The progression has been astounding. To think that just four years ago, Judge didn't win a game in region play and finished 4-16 overall is almost unthinkable when looking at the Bulldogs' baseball team now.
What makes a player valuable differs from team to team. Some are fiery and physical, others are hard-working, talented leaders who may not have a lot to say. But regardless of how different their personalities or skills are, an MVP always offers her squad what it needs most to be successful.
