James wins his third MVP award, joining several greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone. This is also James' third in four seasons.
Several NBA players acknowledged James' accomplishment over Twitter, such as Minnesota Timberwolves Derrick Williams, who said, "3 MVP's in 4 seasons.That's crazy. You don't have to like him but you have to respect him and his game."
James led the Heat to a 46-20 record in the shortened 66-game season, second in the Eastern Conference. James also had averaged 27.1 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. James also shot 53-percent and had two steals.
The award really came down to mainly James and Kevin Durant. However, I think people went with James due to him being more better player all-around. James said last week that it would "be amazing and humbling" if he won another MVP award. Now he has done it.
"What I'm all about is team and ever since I was a kid, I was always taught it's team first," James told the AP on Friday. "My first time playing basketball, we went undefeated and won a championship and Frank Walker Sr. gave everyone on the team a MVP trophy. Right then and there, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to see my teammates reap the benefits as well."
Doc Rivers said last month that James should be the favorite to win MVP every year.
"I think LeBron is an MVP candidate every year. It's just who he is. He only does everything. So I don't know what more you can ask from him."
"LeBron, to me, is the favorite every year. The years he doesn't win it, it'll usually be because people are just tired of voting for him. Statistically, if you go all-around game, I don't know how you don't vote for him every year."
James won his first award during the 2009 season as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He would repeat the year after. While the MVP awards are extremely important towards his legacy, James' main focus right now is to hold that Larry O'Brien trophy.
Currently, Miami is ranked as the favorites to win it all in the Eastern Conferences. They currently face the Indiana Pacers next now entering into the second round.
King James becomes the first player in Miami Heat's history to hoist the award. The MVP votes will be announced on Saturday as well as James being honored.
Congrats, LeBron, you truly deserve it.
Josh Dhani is the founder of FootBasket. He also contributes at Hoops Authority and Eight Points Nine Seconds. You can read more about him at his website. Follow him on Twitter @joshdhani.
