Spyda
05-03-2004, 10:09 PM
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett is expected to be named NBA Most Valuable Player on Monday.
The NBA released a statement Sunday saying the MVP would be announced Monday. The Timberwolves have scheduled a news conference for 2 p.m. EDT for "a major announcement regarding Kevin Garnett."
Garnett, who was second in scoring and led the league in rebounding this season while leading the Timberwolves to their first Midwest Division title, is considered the prohibitive favorite in voting among media members.
The 7-foot Garnett averaged 24.2 points and 13.9 rebounds while playing all 82 games this season, his ninth in the NBA. He also averaged 5.0 assists for his fifth straight season of 20-10-5, a feat matched only by Larry Bird.
During the season, Garnett became the first player to win four Player of the Month awards. He kept the Timberwolves atop the toughest division in the league despite Minnesota playing much of the season without three of its top six players.
Garnett's name has been prominent among the postseason awards already handed out. He was a First Team selection for both the All-NBA and All-Defensive squads.
If Garnett wins, he would join three-time winner Moses Malone as the only MVPs to enter the NBA directly from high school.
Last year, Garnett finished second in the balloting to San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, who won his second straight MVP.
Duncan is a candidate again this season, as are Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal, Sacramento Kings forward Peja Stojakovic, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and New Orleans Hornets guard Baron Davis.
The NBA released a statement Sunday saying the MVP would be announced Monday. The Timberwolves have scheduled a news conference for 2 p.m. EDT for "a major announcement regarding Kevin Garnett."
Garnett, who was second in scoring and led the league in rebounding this season while leading the Timberwolves to their first Midwest Division title, is considered the prohibitive favorite in voting among media members.
The 7-foot Garnett averaged 24.2 points and 13.9 rebounds while playing all 82 games this season, his ninth in the NBA. He also averaged 5.0 assists for his fifth straight season of 20-10-5, a feat matched only by Larry Bird.
During the season, Garnett became the first player to win four Player of the Month awards. He kept the Timberwolves atop the toughest division in the league despite Minnesota playing much of the season without three of its top six players.
Garnett's name has been prominent among the postseason awards already handed out. He was a First Team selection for both the All-NBA and All-Defensive squads.
If Garnett wins, he would join three-time winner Moses Malone as the only MVPs to enter the NBA directly from high school.
Last year, Garnett finished second in the balloting to San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, who won his second straight MVP.
Duncan is a candidate again this season, as are Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal, Sacramento Kings forward Peja Stojakovic, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and New Orleans Hornets guard Baron Davis.