The King might just get another crown.
Checkmate #LakeShowpic.twitter.com/8sM1pjtc2q
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 4, 2020
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LeBron James, in his 17th season, has a chance to win his fifth NBA MVP award.
The only thing standing in his way is a certain young buck.
“Giannis is doing something that we’ve seen historically happen before. Steve Nash somehow improved the year after his 1st MVP. When you’re an MVP, and you get better Giannis is averaging more points, rebounds, assists, threes made in less minutes this season.” @TheRyanHollinspic.twitter.com/PsVqMF2GgI
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) March 5, 2020
A Milwaukee Buck.
NBA back-to-back MVP winners (since 1980):Moses: ’81-82, ’82-83Bird: ’83-84, ’84-85, ’85-86Magic: ’88-89, ’89-90Jordan: ’90-91, ’91-92Duncan: ’01-02, ’02-03Nash: ’04-05, ’05-06LeBron: ’08-09, ’09-10 & ’11-12, ’12-13Steph: ’14-15, ’15-16
@getnickwright on the MVP race pic.twitter.com/uwGN78Mr9T
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) March 5, 2020
But what was once a landslide win for Giannis Antetokounmpo is now a hotly-contested battle between the Greek Freak and the King.
It’s Giannis’ to lose, but the King has and can continue to make a strong case.
“LeBron isn’t going for MVP this year, it’s just organically happening. We’ve seen him in the past gun for MVP and even vocally put it out there. He’s not gunning for it this year.” @TheRyanHollinspic.twitter.com/fOTavEc557
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) March 5, 2020
Milwaukee (53-9) currently sits atop the East and the NBA, while the Lakers (47-13) hold the top spot in the West.
The Greek Freak is having a historic season. He’s widely regarded as the best defensive player in the league.
His individual numbers are nearly unmatched.
Nearly.
LeBron is still in the conversation for best offensive player in the game. He doesn’t score like James Harden, but he leads the league in assists and still scores a lot.
James’ role as dedicated point guard for the first time ever brings attention to his on-court leadership, which is unlike any other player in the league.
“The Bucks are 5-1 without Giannis. They are still absolutely better than the Nets, meaning they’re a playoff team without him. Are the Lakers a playoff team without LeBron?”@ColinCowherd on why the King should be MVP over the Greek Freak. pic.twitter.com/AWod9xhdqd
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) March 4, 2020
Giannis is as valuable as they c0me, but Milwaukee has had some success this season without him, despite the small sample size.
The Bucks are outscoring opponents by 11.7 points per 100 possessions without Giannis this year, while the Lakers have been outscored by 12.4 points per 100 possessions without LeBron.
In addition, the Lakers’ offensive output plummets significantly without their superstar.
Working in Giannis’ favor is the fact that the Bucks are on track to win 70 games and will most likely set a new NBA record for point differential.
But they face Eastern Conference competition for roughly two-thirds of their schedule. It must be mentioned that the Eastern Conference has seven teams that currently own 22 or fewer wins, while the Western Conference only has two teams with 22 wins or less.
LeBron and the Lakers are currently five games behind Giannis and the Bucks, but do the schedules really equate?
Active minutes leaders (reg & post):LeBron: 58,168Carter: 49,297Gasol: 45,826Melo: 42,342Iguodala: 41,901
“This is 1 of the reasons he’s the greatest player ever. He gives you in Year 17 what he gave in Year 4 a top 2 MVP finish, 75+ games, 36+ min/night.” @getnickwrightpic.twitter.com/hrOItKmQH8
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) February 28, 2020
Stamping Nick’s point, it was announced this week that LeBron was named Western Conference Player of the Month for February.
Nobody does it like him. Your Player of the Month, @KingJames. pic.twitter.com/J8Rl6gqVjt
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 4, 2020
Look at LeBron, making history and junk!
LeBron James wins his NBA-record 40th career Player of the Month award. https://t.co/PiSle5ZcBw
Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 3, 2020
He is the first Laker to win the award in back-to-back months since Kobe Bryant.
.@Chris_Broussard on LeBron winning WCP of the Month back-to-back:
“This will strengthen his case, but I think Giannis is the frontrunner. If LeBron wins it I’m not going to protest, 17 years in we can argue he deserves more than 4 MVP’s. I think the league wants LeBron to win.” pic.twitter.com/CFXvlU5aOi
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 4, 2020
Does the league want LeBron to win? Hmmm…the league wants who deserves it to win.
But writers vote for the MVP winner. And writers love a great story.
“My bottom line, LeBron James will win the MVP… The LeBron story in year 17 is a great one.”@RealSkipBayless on why the King will beat out Giannis for the MVP Award pic.twitter.com/ocAln740eZ
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 28, 2020
While Giannis’ efforts on the defensive end are impressive, MVPs immediately before him included Harden, Russell Westbrook and Steph Curry.
None of those guys are really lauded for their defensive presence.
“They are going to elevate LeBron at the expense of Giannis, who is on a pace to set the all-time record for Player Efficiency Rating And right now is No. 1 in Defensive Efficiency Rating.”
@RealSkipBayless explains why LeBron will win MVP, despite Giannis’ historic season pic.twitter.com/Or6gO9VglR
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) March 4, 2020
LeBron has the numbers and the story. The final step?
The wins.
The Lakers are now entering their toughest two-week stretch of the season, starting with none other than Giannis and the Bucks at STAPLES Center on Friday, followed by a “road game” against the red hot Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
FUN GUY. DOING FUN THINGS.
(via @LAClippers) pic.twitter.com/S5Y7efrSJ9
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) March 1, 2020
The Lakers are a combined 0-3 against both teams.
The “LeBron for MVP” campaign needs these wins.
If he can pull it off, what seemed like a long shot…
LeBron from DEEEP!
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/j53PAPxLR7
— The Association on FOX (@TheAssociation) March 4, 2020
…might suddenly become a layup.