LeBron James is NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2011-2012 season – NBA Update
LeBron James of the Miami Heat was named as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2011-2012 season on Saturday. This is the third time in four seasons that LeBron has won the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, the first in a Heat jersey.
With the award, James joins an exclusive club and is the first player since Michael Jordan to win at least 3 MVP trophies. The King finished with 1074 points, including 85 first place votes out of a total 121 votes. The voting
was conducted by a panel of sportswriters, sports analysts and broadcasters, while one vote was reserved for the fans of the NBA, who had an opportunity to pick their winner this year.
James led the Miami Heat to a 46-20 record this season and 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference, just behind the top seeded Chicago Bulls. James ranked third in scoring in the NBA this season, scoring 27.1 points per game.
He was tied for the team lead in rebounds with 7.9 rebounds per game and had 6.2 assists per game, a team high. He also recorded his career best field goal percentages for the season, going 53.1% from the field and 36.2% from beyond the arc.
James was followed by Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder with 889 points and 24 first place votes, Chris Paul of the Clippers with 385 points and 6 first place votes, and Kobe Bryant of the Lakers with 2 first place votes.
Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs completed the top 5 with 331 points.
Many believe this to be the best season yet for LeBron James, who was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for both January and February. James has 419 consecutive double figure point games, the 7th longest
streak in NBA history. Jordan holds the longest at 866.
"Heat nation, we have a bigger goal. This is very overwhelming to me as an individual award. But this is not the award I want, ultimately. I want that championship. That's all that matters to me” said James during the press conference
in which he was awarded the trophy.
James called his team mates to huddle behind him after thanking his wife and two sons.
“These 14 guys right here, they give everything. And they give me everything” said James
"We love you. Not just because of this, but because of what you mean to our organization” said Heat President Pat Riley regarding James at the press conference.
James will be presented with the trophy again on Sunday at the American Airlines Arena by NBA commissioner David Stern. Hence, the Heat fans will be able to witness their MVP take the trophy in front of home crowd. But James is
fully focused on winning the NBA championship and come Sunday, will have the opportunity to get back to business against the Indiana Pacers
"I'd give all three of them back for an NBA championship. It's all I care about. It's all I know” said James
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