| If you win the league MVP, you have to be the best player at your position, right? Nets guard Jason Kidd was just that this season and took home the award as the league's best guard. 
Check out the stats for each candidate from the season,  what we said about each player and the results of the ESPN.com poll. 
 
 
| ESPN.com POLL |  |  
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Allen Iverson, 76ers
 | Injuries cut his season short and added to the bad luck for the defending Eastern Conference champs.
| PPG | REB | ASST | STL |  
| 31.1 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 2.51 |  | 
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Jason Kidd, Nets
 | Made the underachieving Nets an Eastern Conference title contender overnight.
| PPG | REB | ASST | STL |  
| 16.9 | 6.4 | 9.4 | 1.67 |  | 
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Gary Payton, Sonics
 | Payton's maturity and leadership are why the Sonics were the surprise of the West this season.
| PPG | REB | ASST | 3PT% |  
| 23.0 | 4.6 | 8.1 | 36.3 |  | 
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Tracy McGrady, Magic
 | Elevated his game with Grant Hill out (again) and moved up to superstar status.
| PPG | REB | ASST | 3PT% |  
| 25.5 | 7.7 | 5.3 | .354 |  | 
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Vince Carter, Raptors
 | Once again, Carter put up the big numbers but got his team nowhere.
| PPG | REB | ASST | 3PT% |  
| 27.6 | 5.5 | 3.9 | 40.8 |  | 
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Kobe Bryant, Lakers
 | With his partner in crime hobbled with injuries, Kobe took over when needed as Lakers continued to roll.
| PPG | REB | ASST | STL |  
| 28.5 | 5.9 | 5.0 | 1.68 |  | 
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Jerry Stackhouse, Pistons
 | Two big surprises: Detroit wins the Central and Stack sacrifices scoring to be a team player.
| PPG | REB | ASST | STL |  
| 21.9 | 4.0 | 5.2 | 1.03 |  | 
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