This may be Dirk's year to unseat buddy Nash as MVP

	Shaquille O'Neal may not think much of the accomplishment, but Steve Nash has a chance to win his third straight MVP award this season. John W. McDonough/SI
	POLL Who is this season's MVP right now? Steve Nash Dirk Nowitzki Someone else  View Results

It wasn't exactly on par with Dwyane Wade's comments about Dirk Nowitzki's leadership. But Shaquille O'Neal created his own minor controversy last week when he took a shot at Steve Nash's back-to-back MVP awards.

"I don't know," the 7-foot-1 center deadpanned to a reporter in Dallas when asked if Nowitzki was a legit MVP contender. "I don't know how y'all give the award. That award has been tainted the last couple of years."

Was Shaq serious? Who knows. He loves to mess around with the media.

Then again, it wouldn't be at all surprising if the Diesel still harbored some lingering disappointment over losing out to Nash two years ago. The fact that he's won only one regular-season MVP in his career -- way back in 2000 -- just might stick in his craw a little too.

Whatever the case, Shaq's comments provided good fodder for columnists and Internet bloggers. Of course, it was left to Nash to put it all in perspective and basically laugh off the whole thing. "I don't know what to say," he told the Arizona Republic. "I'm sorry he feels that way."

The ironic thing is that Shaq won't be anywhere near the MVP race this season. Right now it looks like it's boiling down to a two-man race between ... Nowitzki and Nash.

Which brings us to our first question in the 'Bag:

Why doesn't Dirk Nowitzki get more credit as an MVP candidate? Steve Nash is great, but Dirk does as much for his team and the Mavs have a better overall record.
-- C. Joseph, New York City

Dirk definitely matches up well with Nash in the MVP debate. Dirk is a bigger scorer and rebounder, and he makes as many clutch shots. Maybe he isn't a stopper, but he does enough to help make the Mavs one of the league's best defensive teams. Besides, it's not as if Nash is an all-world defender either. As for making their team better, Nash gets to play with two All-Stars in Shawn Marion and Amaré Stoudemire, while Dirk gets to play with only one (Josh Howard).

That being said, I do believe Nash is probably more valuable to his team than Nowitzki for the simple fact that he has the ball in his hands all the time and orchestrates everything the Suns do. When Nash is out, Phoenix just looks like a completely different team. When Dirk is out, there doesn't seem to be as much of a drop-off. Is that what the MVP should be about? That's a debate for another day. But don't fret too much over Dirk's MVP chances. My guess is that he will win it if Dallas ends up with the best overall record. In a close race, the media is likely to go with the fresh story (Dirk) as opposed to the guy who has already won it twice in a row (Nash).

This business of NBA players skipping next year's All-Star Game because they fear for their safety in New Orleans is ridiculous. We will have Mardi Gras, the Sugar Bowl and the BCS national championship game all being held in the city before the All-Star Game. These guys need to worry about the people they bring in to a city, not the citizens of that city. What are your thoughts?
-- Glen, New Orleans

I haven't been to New Orleans since Super Bowl XX. But I think this whole debate will be good for the city. It puts a focus on what -- if any -- shortcomings there might be in terms of police and anti-crime efforts there right now. Maybe if Tracy McGrady and enough other NBA stars keep talking about New Orleans, it will spur public officials to clean it up and make it safer for the residents.