Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Great Debate: What Makes an MVP?
According to Wikipedia, the "Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests." While many people may be aware of it's general definition, with regards to MLP, there is not a set of criteria that has been made publicly available which defines a MVP. Is it the best individual record? Is it just how "chummy" you are with the admins? In my opinion, while both of these have no doubt influenced the recipients of the award in past seasons (hopefully the latter more subconsciously *glares*), these two things don't go quite far enough in ensuring the award goes to the most deserving player. That's why I'm here. That's the point of this article. This is my take on what things should be taken into consideration when picking Major League Pool's, Regular Season MVP's.
First off, let's set a few conditions on the award:
1. You have to of played in a minimum of 8, 7 v 7 matches (i.e. +50% of matches)
2. You have to of played on a PLAYOFF* team. Let's be honest - if Joe Smoe goes 11-0 on an 0-14, 8th place New Happy Pool team does he/she really deserve the MVP award?
***Remember: the MVP award should be given to the player that was most vital in ensuring the success of their team; if it's only going to the player with the best overall record in MLP season-after-season, that isn't supporting the idea of an MVP. We have a 14 game regular season in MLP; 5 out of 8 teams make the playoffs; condition number 2 is more than reasonable.
Anyways, now that that's out of the way, on to the things that I think should be taken into consideration when naming the AL and NL Most Valuable Players:
***Note: for the sake of this article, and to minimize me spreading false facts, I will be referencing the True Pool Legends MLP team in my scenario's since their matches are the ones I am most aware of. The number in brackets represents my opinion on the importance of each criteria, percentage wise, when considering a teams MVP.
#1. Meaningful Game 7's Record (45%)
Match tied 3-3 - Who's the stud you want out there to bring the match home? In game 7 there is usually two guarantees: The first is that you're going to be playing a fairly skilled opponent; more often than not your opponent's best. The second is that you are going to be under maximum pressure to perform well - there is no second chances if you lose. Why is this more important than a "Save" game? Because, in a meaninful game 7 you not only have the pressure that if you lose your done, but also of knowing that a win gives your side the victory! With respect to YPool, a win in this case is the highest of highs, and a loss is the lowest of lows as you feel like you've let the others on your team down. For TPL, Pommy is the only player to play a game 7. In 3 of them, he sports a record of 1 win and 2 losses. Not exactly fantastic, but throw in that he got run-broke by Ant versus CZ, and that he nipped a bank off the bottom middle pocket versus UP on his last colour, and there's no doubt 1-2 could easily be 3-0.
#2. Save/Clinch Stats Outside of Game 7 (35%)
These are a close 2nd to the most important types of games played in a 7 v 7 match, and therefore, are games played with another high degree of pressure. The only reason these games are #2 on my list, is that they only carry "one type" of pressure (see above explanation), with saves obviously being more crucial than clinches (there isn't as much pressure on a player to clinch a match outside of game 7, but the important thing to note here is the captains confidence in a player to play in these situations and the ability of the player to close). A healthy record in these types of games goes a long way in my books to determining that players importance on a team. For example, this season for TPL, Charlie (4-2 overall with 1 loss coming as a member of SS) would be the most qualified for this particular statistic, as he is 1 for 1 in saves and 2 for 2 in clinches.
#3. Overall Record (20%)
This is the stat that I take into consideration, but put the least emphasis on. While I think it is indeed an accomplishment to have a very strong season in MLP, if you are a slightly above average player playing in non-pressure situations, this is made much easier. It's significantly more impressive to go 8-2 playing in games 5-7 each week then it is to go 9-1 playing in games 1 and 2. In TPL's case, I'm more accustomed to playing in games 1-3, and because of this I have a 6-1 record on the season. Am I a ypool all-star? No. Would I consider myself an above average player? No doubt. To support the case I'm trying to make here, I give much more credit to Charlie for going 4-2 this season (Note: he won the one game he lost for SS, but was disqualified for being an asshole...shocker...lol), then I do to myself for being 6-1, since I know he is playing in tougher matches on a week-to-week basis. Mind you, playing in the top-heavy American League usually guarantees you a decent opponent most weeks, no matter which spot you play in - this is something the National League doesn't have as much of a case for.
#4. YPool Reputation (0%)
This should mean nothing. Zip. Nil. Nada. Zilch. I don't care how well you know the admins and the look of their genetalia - GET OFF YOUR KNEES - this crap should have no bearing on who wins MVP each season! Have a reputation of being a solid player with a history of fantastic MLP 7 v 7 records? Who cares - what'd ya do this season worth noting? What you've done this season as a player is all that matters.
The point of this article was to open peoples eyes and to look passed a persons overall record and into the circumstances surrounding the games that they've been playing in. Hopefully, at the end of the season, the proper people will be rewarded for fantastic seasons.
MY TOP 3
1. Justin (LS) Win/Loss = 8/1 -- Saves = 2/2 -- Clinches = 1/1 -- Total = 15.5
2. Lewis (DC) Win/Loss = 8/1 -- Saves = 1/1 -- Clinches = 2/2 -- Total = 14.0
3. Pascal (UP) Win/Loss = 6/1 -- Saves = 1/1 -- Clinches = 3/4 -- Total = 12.5
HONOURABLE MENTION
T4. Mikey (CZ) Win/Loss = 7-0 -- Saves = 0/0 -- Clinches = 3/3 -- Total = 11.5
T4. Jamie (PFN) Win/Loss = 7/1 -- Saves = 1/1 -- Clinches = 1/1 -- Total = 11.5
T4. Ketan (UP) Win/Loss = 4/3 -- Saves = 1/1 -- Clinches = 3/4 -- Total = 11.5
***Note: For the above Stats, Wins = 1 point, Saves = 3 points and Clinches = 1.5 points
As of right now, there is no "Meaningful Game 7 Statstracker," or perhaps these standings would look a little different since that would reward the most points
First off, let's set a few conditions on the award:
1. You have to of played in a minimum of 8, 7 v 7 matches (i.e. +50% of matches)
2. You have to of played on a PLAYOFF* team. Let's be honest - if Joe Smoe goes 11-0 on an 0-14, 8th place New Happy Pool team does he/she really deserve the MVP award?
***Remember: the MVP award should be given to the player that was most vital in ensuring the success of their team; if it's only going to the player with the best overall record in MLP season-after-season, that isn't supporting the idea of an MVP. We have a 14 game regular season in MLP; 5 out of 8 teams make the playoffs; condition number 2 is more than reasonable.
Anyways, now that that's out of the way, on to the things that I think should be taken into consideration when naming the AL and NL Most Valuable Players:
***Note: for the sake of this article, and to minimize me spreading false facts, I will be referencing the True Pool Legends MLP team in my scenario's since their matches are the ones I am most aware of. The number in brackets represents my opinion on the importance of each criteria, percentage wise, when considering a teams MVP.
#1. Meaningful Game 7's Record (45%)
Match tied 3-3 - Who's the stud you want out there to bring the match home? In game 7 there is usually two guarantees: The first is that you're going to be playing a fairly skilled opponent; more often than not your opponent's best. The second is that you are going to be under maximum pressure to perform well - there is no second chances if you lose. Why is this more important than a "Save" game? Because, in a meaninful game 7 you not only have the pressure that if you lose your done, but also of knowing that a win gives your side the victory! With respect to YPool, a win in this case is the highest of highs, and a loss is the lowest of lows as you feel like you've let the others on your team down. For TPL, Pommy is the only player to play a game 7. In 3 of them, he sports a record of 1 win and 2 losses. Not exactly fantastic, but throw in that he got run-broke by Ant versus CZ, and that he nipped a bank off the bottom middle pocket versus UP on his last colour, and there's no doubt 1-2 could easily be 3-0.
#2. Save/Clinch Stats Outside of Game 7 (35%)
These are a close 2nd to the most important types of games played in a 7 v 7 match, and therefore, are games played with another high degree of pressure. The only reason these games are #2 on my list, is that they only carry "one type" of pressure (see above explanation), with saves obviously being more crucial than clinches (there isn't as much pressure on a player to clinch a match outside of game 7, but the important thing to note here is the captains confidence in a player to play in these situations and the ability of the player to close). A healthy record in these types of games goes a long way in my books to determining that players importance on a team. For example, this season for TPL, Charlie (4-2 overall with 1 loss coming as a member of SS) would be the most qualified for this particular statistic, as he is 1 for 1 in saves and 2 for 2 in clinches.
#3. Overall Record (20%)
This is the stat that I take into consideration, but put the least emphasis on. While I think it is indeed an accomplishment to have a very strong season in MLP, if you are a slightly above average player playing in non-pressure situations, this is made much easier. It's significantly more impressive to go 8-2 playing in games 5-7 each week then it is to go 9-1 playing in games 1 and 2. In TPL's case, I'm more accustomed to playing in games 1-3, and because of this I have a 6-1 record on the season. Am I a ypool all-star? No. Would I consider myself an above average player? No doubt. To support the case I'm trying to make here, I give much more credit to Charlie for going 4-2 this season (Note: he won the one game he lost for SS, but was disqualified for being an asshole...shocker...lol), then I do to myself for being 6-1, since I know he is playing in tougher matches on a week-to-week basis. Mind you, playing in the top-heavy American League usually guarantees you a decent opponent most weeks, no matter which spot you play in - this is something the National League doesn't have as much of a case for.
#4. YPool Reputation (0%)
This should mean nothing. Zip. Nil. Nada. Zilch. I don't care how well you know the admins and the look of their genetalia - GET OFF YOUR KNEES - this crap should have no bearing on who wins MVP each season! Have a reputation of being a solid player with a history of fantastic MLP 7 v 7 records? Who cares - what'd ya do this season worth noting? What you've done this season as a player is all that matters.
The point of this article was to open peoples eyes and to look passed a persons overall record and into the circumstances surrounding the games that they've been playing in. Hopefully, at the end of the season, the proper people will be rewarded for fantastic seasons.
MY TOP 3
1. Justin (LS) Win/Loss = 8/1 -- Saves = 2/2 -- Clinches = 1/1 -- Total = 15.5
2. Lewis (DC) Win/Loss = 8/1 -- Saves = 1/1 -- Clinches = 2/2 -- Total = 14.0
3. Pascal (UP) Win/Loss = 6/1 -- Saves = 1/1 -- Clinches = 3/4 -- Total = 12.5
HONOURABLE MENTION
T4. Mikey (CZ) Win/Loss = 7-0 -- Saves = 0/0 -- Clinches = 3/3 -- Total = 11.5
T4. Jamie (PFN) Win/Loss = 7/1 -- Saves = 1/1 -- Clinches = 1/1 -- Total = 11.5
T4. Ketan (UP) Win/Loss = 4/3 -- Saves = 1/1 -- Clinches = 3/4 -- Total = 11.5
***Note: For the above Stats, Wins = 1 point, Saves = 3 points and Clinches = 1.5 points
As of right now, there is no "Meaningful Game 7 Statstracker," or perhaps these standings would look a little different since that would reward the most points
