The chances of LeBron James becoming an MVP are looking bleak - NBA Feature
With the culmination of regular season just around the corner, the debate for MVP is heating up. In the midst of all the hustle there has been one player who kept a clandestine profile perusing the MVP title. That man is arguably is best player of his generation and the most complete player of all times – LeBron James.
So far, King James has made it a point to evade the MVP questions, and it seems he doesn’t have to put in much effort in the campaign as everyone else in the Heat locker room takes care of it.
Recently the Heat got a solid reason to brag about their forward after he helped them in settling the scores with Oklahoma City Thunder. Some 14 days back, James and company were handed an ignominious 103-87 defeat by Thunder and Kevin Durant displayed a solid show scoring 28 and dishing out 8 assists. That win further added to all the MVP hype surrounding KD, but as the media was blowing its trumpet, James was already planning a revenge.
Last Wednesday, James took on KD again and showed the NBA world as to who is still the best small forward around. He was himself on the offense while also guarded Durant on the D, and it was LeBron’s defense that ultimately won it for Miami.
James collected 34 points, 10 assists and 7 boards while Durant had 30 but the night went down as his career worst 9 turnovers, allowing Heat to outgun Thunder 98-93.
Naturally James was contended;
"Every night I go out on the court, I try to play like the MVP for our team," James told the reporters surrounding his locker after the game. "I've always said that. ... It doesn't matter to me. For us, we got better tonight as a team. And I was the MVP for our team and just trying to lead those guys, lead us to a victory. That's what it's all about."
Before running to conclusions one must dwell into the blurred definitions of MVP. A MVP doesn’t have to be a best player in the season. He just has to carry his team on the back and lead them to the path of success. Derrick Rose pinned James by doing that last season.
Implying that on James status this season, then Heat are more than ok without him, the “Big Three” James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh get a better room to perform if one of them is missing. That means Heat would still be a force without James as he is a catalyst but not somebody who is solely responsible for their success.
Now consider OKC without KD. Although they have Russell Westbrook but without Durant they could have never reached on the top of Western Conference.
James and Durant both have more or less same stats and both teams will be closing the regular season with same record. The point where the line will be drawn between two is public image.
James is an ESPN poster child but Cleveland Cavaliers fans can never forget the bitter betrayal of James, who also has a euphoric personality. KD on the other hand hasn’t taken any selfish step so far. It’s all about the people and their voting by the end of day and they will like to see a new face as MVP so Durant is and will be the favourite.
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