Well-Deserved
Congratulations to LeBron James on his 3rd MVP in 4 years. Why it’s not his 5th straight MVP is still ridiculous to me (yes he should have won it in 07-08 over Kobe as well as last year). I don’t care who he plays for or what kind of shenanigans he pulls in the off-season, no one plays a more efficient game than him. And really, no one is even all that close. He has been the best regular season player year in and year out for the past 5 years. Yes, let’s put the emphasis on “regular season”, but isn’t that the basis for the MVP vote anyways?
Why not last year?
I think it will forever haunt me that the voters in 2011 honestly thought that Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard were more valuable than LeBron. Or did they? I think we all know that regardless of how he played or what kind of numbers he put up, he “eliminated” himself from contention because he decided to take his talents to South Beach. Whatever the circumstance, whoever voted for Derrick Rose or Dwight Howard over LeBron should be ashamed of themselves. He still led his 2nd place in the Eastern Conference Miami Heat in virtually every statistical category. How does that eliminate him from anything?
D-Rose: 25.0 PPG, 7.7 APG, 4.1 RPG, 44.5% FG, 23.34 PER
LeBron: 26.7 PPG, 7.0 APG, 7.5 RPG, 51.0% FG, 27.34 PER
Wait, D-Rose won over LeBron in 2010-2011? What? Believe it or not, he was a full 4 points better than D-Rose in Player Efficiency Rating. Yeah, I don’t understand it either.
2007-2008? That’s a Long Time Ago.
Even though it seems like ages ago, take a look at the stats from 2007-2008 and try to tell me LeBron shouldn’t have won over Kobe:
Kobe: 28.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.4 APG, 45.9% FG 1.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG 24.09 PER
Lebron: 30.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.2 APG, 48.4% FG, 1.8 SPG 1.1 BPG 29.15 PER
Yup, better than Kobe in every statistical category in 07-08. The most glaring though is the Player Efficiency Rating (PER). Over 5 points more than Kobe?! Wow. Maybe it was five years ago, but I want a recount.
Stats Always Back Him Up
Since the 07-08 season (5 seasons in a row), LeBron has been the most efficient player every year according to John Hollinger’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER). I realize that this shouldn’t necessarily be the only metric to consider when looking at the MVP, but it’s basically backing up the fact that he’s putting up ridiculous numbers while be extremely efficient at the same time. Sounds like MVP type of material to me…
If you take a look at almost every advanced metric it will back up LeBron’s case. He consistently leads the league in plus-minus and estimated wins added. I just find it funny that voters decided to overlook these measures in 07-08 and, of course, last year.
How Many Can He Win?
I honestly don’t see why LeBron can’t win 6+ MVPs in his career. He is just 27 years old with 3 MVPs already. He is clearly the most dominant player in the NBA right now and has at least 5 more years in his prime. If he continues to play at this level for those next five years, he will certainly reach Kareem’s record of 6 and even look to surpass beyond that.
It’ll be fun to see him and Kevin Durant battle for MVP in the coming years. Durant is a lethal scorer, but isn’t quite the complete player or facilitator that LeBron is. We’ll see how he continues to develop. Other than KD35, I don’t see any other clear threats for MVP in the coming seasons. Watch out for Kevin Love, though. Derrick Rose and Chris Paul certainly have a chance as well. But no one is on LeBron’s level right now. I don’t see how that’s changing any time soon.
It Should be a No-Brainer
Going on national television to announce your free agency decision shouldn’t eliminate anyone from the MVP consideration. Being hated nationwide for teaming up with two other All-Stars definitely shouldn’t impact the MVP race. Call me or any LeBron lover biased, but at least we have numbers to point to. How can you argue against that?
Feel free to try and tell me why I’m wrong!
Nice blog!
Thanks so much for your comment! Glad you like it!
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If MVP is all about stat then Kevin Durant should have won this year’s MVP
I agree that it shouldn’t be entirely be about stats. But, Lebron has been on very good to great regular season teams every year since 07-08. Then looking at the impact/value added he provides to these very good teams, I believe he should be the MVP each year. Durant was a very worthy candidate and a very deserving 2nd place, but he wasn’t as efficient as Lebron and didn’t make his teammates better like Lebron (3.5 APG to 6.2 APG). Lebron was nearly 4 points better when looking at the Player Efficiency Rating. Durant’s stats just weren’t overwhelming and or balanced like Lebron’s.
That’s just my take. I appreciate the comment, though!
so true
Glad some people agree. Thanks for the comment!
WOW! Absolutely right! But my boyfriend is such a hater he doesn’t believe you, I wanna punch his face!
Haha, don’t let him influence you! Numbers don’t lie! Thanks for the support!
LeBron is the best player in the game. Hands down. Stats don’t lie, especially a stat like PER, which lebron leads year after year
There’s a voice of reason! Very well said. I just don’t understand how you can argue that.
Numbers only tell part of the story. The perfect example of what I am saying is Stephon Marbury. Marbury always had the numbers. Marbury was an allstar many times. However Marbury couldn’t win. This year is probably one of the first times that Lebron had his head on straight and actually figured out how to be that complete player. To say that Lebron should have won over DRose last year was crazy. DRose did some heavy lifting within that offense with Boozer not 100% last year (This year he just couldn’t shoot in the pressure cooker) and the rest of the role players just simply playing their roles. This is also the first year that Lebron has been that true leader instead of stat stuffer. He has the talent to get his stats and be that true leader that makes everyone better but, he never figured that part out until this year. So with further ado….. Lebron is an immense talent who didn’t figure it out until this year and instead of being that leader the first few mvp’s he simply got those because he jumped everyone out of the gym with his talent. Lets see if that keeps up throughout the playoffs with Indiana, probably Boston, and whoever wins the western conference. Remember statistics only tell part of the story.
I agree that I focused heavily on stats with my blog post and that it shouldn’t necessarily come down strictly to just that for MVP. I see where you’re going with Marbury, but Lebron is in an entirely different league with his stats and overall impact and value to his teams. I am not arguing that Lebron has been a disappointment in the playoffs to this point with no rings. But in the regular season, I just feel like he sets himself apart with how versatile and efficient he is every single year. DRose had a fantastic year last year and the Bulls were great because of him. I just see Lebron with nearly as many assists even though he’s not even a true PG and much better FG% and efficiency as a whole. DRose doesn’t have the complete game that Lebron brings (nor does anyone). Yes a lot of that has to do with pure talent, but you can’t just overlook it. The first couple MVPs he literally single handedly carried those Cavs teams to 1st or 2nd place finishes in the East. Maybe I am a bit biased and look too much at stats, but it’s hard not to when he stands out so clearly above the rest and how consistent he is each year. I really appreciate your comment, though. You bring up a much needed counterpoint. Thanks for your input!
Numbers don’t tell the whole story, you’re right.
But LeBron has the entire package. Offensive numbers, defensive abilities (and numbers, if you’re into the advanced stats), makes his teammates better (look at the Cavs players once he left, not to mention the fact that he made Mo Williams(!!) an all-star), and guys that play with LeBron genuinely like him. And his teams win a lot of games.
Marbury had the offensive numbers. that’s it.
I agree! DRose brought more intangibles to his team last year than the numbers that LeBron put up all season that it makes LJ’s numbers(though high volume indeed) not too flashy .
I agree!! He should have won it last year for sure. Glad you pointed out the stats!
Thanks for your comment! Glad you’re on the same page!
haters of lebron should read this. they should wake up on the reality that lebron is the greatest these past few seasons.
i wonder when lebron surpasses kareem for mvp numbers. it’ll be a history for lebron.
Agreed! If the voters stop hating on him like they did this year, I don’t see why he can’t win it every year with the numbers he puts up and the value he adds to his team. He’s already halfway there. Thanks for your comment! Glad you know what’s up!
lebrons scared of every big moment. he has no superstar qualitities besides his numbers. hes got 9 years in the league and still no ring to show for it. he knew he couldnt win on his own and thats why he ran to bosh and wade.
I agree that he has been disappointing in the playoffs. Let’s remember though that MJ didn’t have a ring at 27 years old yet either. Lebron is still young and even though he’s been in the league 9 years, he has time. Also, MJ and Kobe and pretty much whoever else didn’t win rings on their own either. MJ had a great supporting cast, especially Scottie. Kobe had Shaq who won MVP of the first 3 finals. I’m just saying Lebron has been the best and most efficient player in the league the past 5 years in the regular season. But because of The Decision and the fact he hasn’t won a title, people forget how dominant he actually is during the regular season. He’s putting up ridiculous numbers and adding a ton of value to his team. I hear your argument, though. I just think people need to appreciate what he’s been able to sustain these past 5 years on the Cavs and Heat (emphasis on regular season). Thanks for your comment!
If LeBron was scared of every big moment he wouldn’t have carried the Cavs (same team that were 19-63 with an identical roster [minus Bron and West] as the team that went 61-21 and “failed” to win it all a year earlier).
LeBron took that team so far, with no one, no help what so ever. Every player in the history of the league has bad games once in a while. look at Kobe’s game 7 from their last championship. the difference is that he had Gasol and Odom pick up the slack, and cover for him.
Not to mention that it’s much easier for a good defensive team (07 Spurs, 10 Celtics) to stop LeBron, than it was for team to stop Kobe or Pierce (or whomever) because they just focused their entire defense on stopping him (as suppose to stopping Pierce but still having to worry about Rondo penetrating, and Allen and KG hitting down every open look, or handeling Kobe, but making sure Gasol doesn’t kill you.)
It bothers me so much that some people insist on finding LeBrons “failures” instead of enjoying one of the greatest basketball players to ever play. enjoying him dominate. enjoying him score 29 straight points to beat the Pistons on the road in a playoff game. enjoying him shut down the defnding MVP Rose in a 5 game series. Enjoying him control every aspect of the game like no one before him.
Amen.
First of all, great blog! glad I ran in to it via an ESPN comment.
Now to the subject:
LeBron is defiantly the best player in the NBA today (and it’s not close. not nearly close), and i’d say he’s probably the best player since MJ (maybe with the only exception of 99-03 Shaq), but I would be very surprised if he won 6+ MVP’s.
Lets face it, even Jordan fell short of that number. Not because he didn’t deserve it, but simply because people get tired of voting for the same guy every year, and are just looking for an excuse to give their vote to a new guy, a new story.
Saying that, I honestly don’t expect LeBron to win more than 2 more MVP’s (though 5 is a pretty high number…), but I would like to see him get that Defensive Player of the Year, that I believe he was robbed of this year.
His impact on the defensive end is just as important and impressive as his offensive game, and that is saying something if you believe (as I do) that Lebron is the best offensive player in the game.
I have LeBron’s career goals at 5 MVP’s, 2 DPOY, 4 Championships & 4 Finals MVP.
It’s a bit high now, but I truly see him reaching (and maybe exceeding) these awards.
You make a good point. I guess I expect Lebron to surpass it because he deserves it at the rate he’s playing. I think it’s ridiculous that people just stop voting for a guy because they are tired of voting for him. As Doc Rivers said, “Statistically, if you go all-around game, I don’t know how you don’t vote for him every year.” He then added because people just get tired of voting for him. 2 more MVPs is certainly doable, though, if he keeps up his pace.
I’m really glad you brought up the Defensive Player of the Year point! I was going to add that in my post, but figured I wouldn’t overkill it. That’s a huge part of Lebron’s game. I love that he can shut down Derrick Rose one night and Pau Gasol the next. The dude is just a freak and so versatile on both ends, but especially defensively. He needs recognition for that.
I like the career goals. I’d love to see him at least tie Kareem with 6 MVPs, but we’ll see. Four rings and finals MVPs is definitely not far-fetched. He’s still just 27. I can see him exceeding those numbers, but it starts in these playoffs. I’m anxious to see how it goes.
Thanks so much for the kind words and sharing your thoughts! Always feel free to check it out and let me know what you think!
Dude: Yo lebron can i borrow a dollar
Lebron: My bad bro I only have 3 quarters
I hate ignorant people like you if you havent noticed recently LeBron has recently been getting most of his points in the fourth quarter to help get the W! He is not perfect everybody misses once in a while.
Basketball is a team sport!!! Its not Golf!!! Thus players should be judged by their Individual performances and not the collective team performances..!!!!I I can count a lot of players in other team sports who dint win any collective trophy yet they were acknowledged to be the best Individually…MVP is an Individual award!!! not team award!!! people should realise this and give honour to whom honour is due!!! anyway, The point is people will always make an argument out for any thing!!! As for me…These stats speaks volumes and only validates the the truth that LBJ is the best NBA has to offer @ the moment!!!!! Its indisputable!!!!
I like the passion! And agree!