POSTED 3-7-08

There are rotisserie heroes and fantasy goats. But some performances are so ugly, egregious or plain perplexing that it begs the refrain: What the F--k! Here is Update's seriously twisted moment this week.

Ask your casual NBA fan who this season's MVP is and you will probably spark a heated debate. I'm sure there are at least four or five other guys whose names you could throw into the mix (i.e. Kevin Garnett, Chris Paul), but media and fans alike have zeroed in on Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Is the MVP Bryant, whose unselfish play has led the Los Angeles Lakers to the top of the Western Conference? Or James, who leads the league in scoring while nearly averaging a triple-double on an sub-standard Cleveland Cavaliers team? Is the MVP a reflection of the best overall statistics, or should the award be handed to the player who most improves his teammates level of play? Kobe critics will say that King James has better numbers across the board. Why should Bryant get the award when LeBron bests him in nearly every category? Those hating on the King will point out that James is young and will have at least 10 more MVP-worthy campaigns, whereas Bryant has been snubbed repeatedly. Plus, Bryant has finally developed into the consummate superstar — one who shares the ball and makes his team better while still putting up monster numbers. Kobe Bryant dropped 50 on the Dallas Mavericks; LeBron James dropped 50 on the New York Knicks the next night. Both players elicited chants of "M-V-P" from the crowd. So who will take home the award? I'd put good money on Bryant, even if James does have him beat numbers-wise. Voters usually take into account a team's performance when casting their ballots, and the Lakers are just too good to ignore. But perhaps the tipping point will be Bryant's gutsy decision to postpone surgery on a torn pink ligament until after the season despite doctor's recommendations otherwise. Bryant has a level of determination not seen since Michael Jordan. Ultimately, it's this type of intangible commitment to winning that sets Bryant apart from the pack .