Why the MVP Award Shouldn't Be Determined by Sportswriters.

Barry Bonds won it seven times. Peyton Manning won it four times. Lebron already has three, and Kareem did it six times. Handing out MVP awards to these players took a lot of deliberation in some cases, and little to none in others. Yet, the voting systems in the MLB, NBA, and NFL remain majorly flawed, and I blame the media.

When we determine who the MVP is, there are too many questions that seem to be surrounding the discussion. Why can't it just be, who was the best player in the past season? 

In hearing analysts discuss the NFL MVP race this year, the circumstances surrounding Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson's comebacks from their injuries became the topic of conversation. While Manning's story is inspiring, it should not have an impact on his MVP chances. People with a story like his deserve an award that already exists, the comeback player of the year. I hardly recall hearing anything about Peterson's yards after contact, or Aaron Rodgers' TD/INT ratio, or JJ Watt's passes deflected/league leading sack total. 

While it seems like Adrian Peterson is rightfully going to win the award this year, there seems to be too much debate over how much Peyton Manning improved the Denver Broncos. Tim Tebow took Denver just as far as Peyton Manning. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas are one of the best 1,2 receiver combinations in the league, but they are stuck in the media shadows of Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning, respectively. 

Michael Jordan could have won the MVP every year he was in the NBA, and I could argue the same for Lebron. The point is, regression in performance, and other factors that don't directly involve performance are too heavily weighted when these decisions are made. It is the same reason that Pete Rose, the all time hits leader in the MLB, isn't in the hall of fame. Outside factors not directly related to performance are too strongly considered. Furthermore, when we see great players, we become too accustomed and conditioned to their elite level of play. How often do you see a ridiculous dunk by Lebron, and then write it off because it's so common? It seems like MVP awards are now determined by who had the "best story" rather than the best performance. Performance doesn't need to be supplemented by a story. Why can't people just appreciate someone's performance for what it is? 

With all due respect to sportswriters and their knowledge of their respective sports, why don't the players and coaches decide? You know, the ones who are closest to the action. Players can tell you first hand who they had the most difficulties playing against, and who posed the toughest challenges. While players can be biased, aren't sportswriters subconsciously biased towards the teams they cover as well? In this instance, it is near impossible to place oneself behind the "veil of ignorance", but I know that I am less likely to argue with current coaches or players on who deserves the most prestigious individual award a sport can offer, rather than someone like me sitting at my computer.