During the regular season, chanting “MVP” for your favorite player is a way for fans to say, “Attention those who vote for the NBA regular season MVP award — we think this player is pretty special. Would you consider him for the MVP award this year? Thank you.” It’s a good way for fans to let their opinions be heard in a time honored, respectful manner…. usually after a star player has used another player for leverage on a dunk, and then inexplicably had a foul called in his favor (instead of the other way around). The player shoots his and-one free throw, and the crowd chants who they think should get the award.

But then they give a player the award.

After that season’s regular season MVP award is handed out, the situation changes a bit. For example, it made no sense to chant “MVP” for Tony Parker in the Western Conference Finals. Spurs fans may not have been aware, but Tony Parker did not win the 2012 MVP Award. Perhaps they were reminding the world that he (wrongly) won the 2007 NBA Finals MVP Award, but if that was the case, they should have been more specific. Chanting “2007 Finals MVP Winner!” over and over again would have been appropriate. Shortening it to “MVP” merely serves to confuse those sporting fans who only watch the playoffs and don’t pay close attention to awards.

Likewise, it is odd for me to hear Miami Heat fans chant “MVP” at Lebron James. On the one hand, this is the only time during these playoffs that is true. Yes, Lebron was the MVP. Nobody is going to deny that. But on the other hand, it feels like overkill. We get it — he won the MVP award. I feel as if chanting it is a mix of boastful braggery that is not becoming of Heat fans AND woefully misunderstanding the situation.

We are in the NBA Finals now. Both the Heat and the Thunder have worked very hard to get here. At this point, the regular season is no longer relevant. It doesn’t matter. These teams have accomplished so much more now than one of them having the best regular season player. Let’s ask Dirk how his 2007 MVP Award tasted. Right now, only one thing matters — getting a title.

Then again, maybe Heat fans are lobbying for Lebron to win the 2012 NBA Finals MVP Award. Contextually, that would make the most sense. If that’s the case, they may be getting a little ahead of themselves.

Again.

(Edit: Since Heat fans seem to be devoid of humor, I would like to clarify a few points:

1. I think chanting “MVP” is dumb at any moment. This is why I wrote this article.

2. I think if you are going to chant “MVP,” it makes the most sense to chant it at the person who is actually the MVP.

3. The most idiotic people in this situation are Spurs fans – who chanted “MVP” for Tony Parker after he already didn’t win. These are the only people I am directly making fun of in this article.

4. Everything else is for the sake of absurdity.

Thank you… for having no humordar.)