D_B, new nick eh??? I am not saying he is a bad defender. He doesn't play defense as he used to. My take is he spends too much energy on offense.... Even according his own coach ZEN MASTER, he doens't play hard on defense :=) To win a MVP award, you gotta a have full pakcage. D_B bro please check Kobes' stat oys bro, google this name MYCHAL THOMPSON. Lakers great agrees with my pick :=) and I believe he knows about Lakers than you, me and others here