The top spot in the Western Conference might not be the only thing decided in the final regular-season games.
Some voters might simply select Kobe Bryant or New Orleans guard Chris Paul as the league's most valuable player based on which team finishes better in the West, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.
"I think winning the West is probably going to be the most important thing as far as that goes. It's going to have a big influence," said Jackson, who has reiterated his support for Bryant numerous times over the last few weeks. But Jackson acknowledged that Paul was also playing at a high level: "I think that Chris has certainly vaulted into that position where he seriously has to be considered."
The Lakers are two games behind the first-place Hornets, with the regular season ending next Wednesday.
There were 129 writers and broadcasters who voted for the MVP award last season. On-the-fence voters get a chance to see the Lakers and Hornets play each other Friday at Staples Center.
Bryant's 28.7-point scoring average this season is second in the league to Cleveland forward LeBron James. Bryant is averaging 6.4 rebounds a game, the second-highest in his career, and 5.4 assists a game, tied for third-best in his career.
Paul is averaging 21.3 points and leads the league in assists (11.4 a game) and steals (2.7 a game) before Wednesday's game.
Bryant, in his 12th season, has never won the award. Paul, in his third season, has also not won it.
The Lakers usually let the fortunes of their players rest on their own achievements, but the team took the added step of sending out pro-Bryant material to NBA writers around the league.
The material was based on an old-style political election campaign and consisted of bumper stickers, campaign buttons, red suspenders and a letter from "campaign manager" Jerry Buss, who urged writers to vote for Bryant.
"From the owner on down, the organization feels that Kobe has had a season worthy of an MVP award," said Tim Harris, the Lakers' chief marketing officer and senior vice president of business operations. "Sending this out is not something we have historically done, but his performance and leadership warrants it."
MVP ballots are due when the regular season ends. The winner is usually announced during the second round of the playoffs, in mid-May.
Of 21 NBA writers polled informally by Mark Heisler, The Times' NBA columnist, 10 selected Bryant, eight selected Paul, two picked Boston forward Kevin Garnett and one chose James.
