Seattle ? MVP balloting, which concludes April 20, will likely be closer than last year, when Nash nipped Miami’s Shaquille O’Neal. As many as 10 players could receive a first-place vote, which would be a first, and six players have a realistic chance of winning.

Because the media types can’t decide who’s worthy of lifting the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, perhaps the balloting should return to players. It’s been 26 years since they’ve chosen their MVP.

But let’s narrow the field and let the candidates decide. Let’s lock them in a room, 12-angry-men style, and have them hash it out.

We join the meeting already in session.

Elton Brand: OK, I’ll reluctantly take the lead in moderating this thing, but let’s keep it simple. First off, is everybody here?

Knock at the door. Tony Parker steps in.

Brand: Where’s Timmy (Duncan)?

Parker: He decided not to show up this year and sent me instead.

Grumbles around the room.

Brand: Is there a problem?

Kobe Bryant: Well, yeah. Some of y’all dudes shouldn’t even be here. No offense, ‘Melo, but I don’t remember seeing you in Houston at the All-Star Game. C’mon, man, it ain’t the half-season MVP. You didn’t start balling until a few weeks ago.

Carmelo Anthony: Hold up, what about J-Kidd? If he gets to stay, I’m staying.

Jason Kidd: Has your team won 14 of its past 15? Have you been to the Finals twice? Didn’t think so. I’m staying.

Brand: Everybody stays, but we’ve got to figure out how we’re going to decide this thing.

LeBron James: Look, y’all old dudes pick whoever you want. I’ll give y’all this one. But next year, it’s a different story.

Dwyane Wade: I hear you, bro.

Dirk Nowitzki: I’m voting for Steve.

Steve Nash: I’m voting for Dirk.

Bryant: 62-61.

Nowitzki: What does that mean?

Bryant: You know what that means.

Brand: Focus, people! Look, the way I see it is, if ‘Bron is going to back out, then it’s really a three-man race between Chauncey Billups, Dirk and Steve, since we can’t vote for ourselves. OK, maybe you throw Kobe in the mix, but that’s really about it. Can we agree on that?

Wade: Hey, I’m lugging a 7-1, 325 dude on my back.

Parker: Tell me about it.

Bryant: Been there, done that.

Brand: All right already. Enough. Let’s take a look at the resumes.

Resumes are passed around.

Bryant: So it’s settled, right?

Brand: Yeah, it’s settled. Kobe you got one vote, Dirk two, Nash two and Chauncey five.

Billups: Thanks, y’all. Much love. I’m gonna put this on the mantle next to my Finals MVP trophy.

James: Like I said, old dudes, enjoy it while you can. Ti-i-i-ime is on my side.