The MVP debate hits ESPN: Lieberman says it's Swoopes, Voepel says it's Jackson. If Houston miss the playoffs, I think Jackson's a lock. If Houston do get there... it's hard. Hasn't Jackson had more help?

As for Most Improved Player, I've finally found something on which to disagree with Mechelle Voepel: she picks Nicole Powell. Granted, Powell's is a dramatic improvement, though it comes in no small part from a new team and new coach.

But second-years are supposed to improve with experience. Why use this award to recognize players who do what they're supposed to do, or to reward good players for having slow starts?

It seems to me that the league, and the fans, get the most value from having an MIP award if it's used to recognize players who improved their game after they seemed to have peaked, or plateau'd, or even fallen out of the league due to injury or age. (No, I would not have given it to Snow, nor to Coco Miller, though Snow at least improved while playing for the same coach and team.)

Who should be MIP? I dunno, but there are some fine candidates in their third year and up-- even more if you consider players whose teams have tanked.