Now that the 2021-22 season is in the 2022 stage, the MVP conversation will start kicking in around the league. If the Los Angeles Lakers have representation in those talks, LeBron James will be the appointee.
James has won four MVPs in the 18 seasons he has completed: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013. He has not earned the honor in eight seasons. Though he doesn’t have the strongest case currently — L.A. is 20-19 overall, sixth in the Western Conference — an argument can be made.
He’s averaging 28.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks in 36.9 minutes per game while shooting 52% overall and 37% from deep. Those are MVP-caliber numbers, though team success impairs his standing in the discussion.
During his media session Thursday, LeBron discussed his thoughts about being in the conversation.
“I think when you are placed in the MVP conversation, that means that your team is winning games and you’re playing at a level that’s helping them win games. So, if my name starts to be in the MVP conversation, then I’m happy about it in a sense. That means the Lakers are winning basketball games, and that’s what I want,” James said. “That’s all I care about. I know what I bring to the table every night. I know what I’m capable of doing every night. But I want that to result in wins, and that’s just always been my mindset in this league.”
James has been performing at an extraordinary level since Anthony Davis went down with an MCL sprain. James has topped at least 30 points in eight of the last nine games. Though these games didn’t always result in wins, L.A. has changed the tide, winning four of the last five games, including three in a row.
His stats have also largely come at the center position, a new tweak in the lineup to adjust to Davis’ absence. Other stars around the league, like Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, have stronger cases, but if L.A. can produce more win streaks, James’ name will emerge more often.
[mm-video type=video id=01frrmf9gb4j1tzt0bv7 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01frrmf9gb4j1tzt0bv7/01frrmf9gb4j1tzt0bv7-89736d0fdd6ed9457587adc5d9ef1641.jpg]
[listicle id=55723]