I personally think that the playoffs should be considered when voting for the MVP. It is hard to deny that Dirk was of MVP caliber during the regular season. He was a great player on the NBA's best (record) team.
I do, however, think that his poor defense and inability to adjust his play to the tempo of a game slip under the radar.
Shaq was the MVP and you base it on him dogging the season and stepping up in the post season? Are you aware that the Wade single handidly won a title with no help from anyone on his team whatsoever?