ESPN.com - NBA - Nowitzki set to be named MVP

The MVP award is for the regular season, but do you think the Mav's playoff collapse should enter into the equation?

Apparently 65% of the 192,416 fans who voted on the ESPN.com poll think it should. Only 35% of the voters felt that he deserves the award. Even Texas, clearly still bitter about the early exit, voted 51% No.

What do you think? Does Dirk deserve the MVP award? Should playoff performance be a factor? Should the winner be announced in the middle of the playoffs?

I'd say that the winner should be announced either right after the regular season or after the playoffs (although the votings should be right after the regular season since the title goes for the regular season and not for the overall performance).
These announcements (1st team, 2nd team, defensive player of the year,...) during playoff time only bring some confusion and are not really necessary.

I don't think making the playoffs should be a criteria. All players should be eligible in my opinion.

Dirk WAS the MVP during the regular season.
67 wins for Dallas - 42 Wins for Golden State.
Dallas had the better regular season.
Dirk made this regular season happen for Dallas.
Dirk laid an EGG during the playoffs.
Dirk led Dallas astray during the playoffs.

He failed to lead his team this postseason.

Seems good to me to have the two separate awards.

Finals MVP sort of covers the post season.

yea I completely agree.. announce the award shortly after the post season.. why must we wait several weeks after to have the award announced? are the people not ready to vote after having debated the award all season?

Cuban very emotional=cries during MVP presentation to Dirk... Wonder how many tears flowed last week when his team was eliminated by the Warriors???

Liked the way that Cuban gave his boy an emotional hug. Dirk had to feel ALONE after his playoff letdown. Cuban gets two points in my book.

TaShawn I don't think Finals MVP does cover the whole post season. I think there should be an award for Playoffs Stud. And it should be based upon per game personal basketball prowess. And the player didn't have to make it to the Finals. Someone like Baron Davis would be able to win it. Playoffs Stud, to be announced at the end of the playoffs.