Why LeBron James could win his 5th MVP this year

Can LeBron James be the NBA’s MVP in the 2017-2018 season?

LeBron James has four MVP awards in his career and could very well add another one to his collection this season.

There are only a select few players in NBA history who people thought should win the MVP award every single year. Michael Jordan was one of those players and James is arguably one of those players as well.

However, James hasn’t won a MVP award since the 2012-13 season when he claimed his fourth.

The odds aren’t exactly in his favor for the upcoming season. According to Bleacher Report, James has 15-2 odds to win the award this year, behind Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.

While I believe those odds are pretty low, I understand why they are what they are. Russell Westbrook just came off perhaps, the most historic season ever from a statistical, indomitable will standpoint, becoming the first player to average a triple-double since the great Oscar Robertson (1961-62).

With a stat line of 31.6 points, 10.4 assists, and 10.7 rebounds, it’s difficult to argue that Westbrook didn’t deserve the MVP. However, Westbrook’s stats are likely to decline next year after the Thunder’s acquisition of Paul George.

Kevin Durant averaged 25.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in his first season with the Warriors, also taking home his first NBA championship along with the Finals MVP award. I don’t know if you can find someone in the NBA who can score with more ease than him but with the absolute juggernaut of a team he is on, his stats won’t be as glamorous as others who are in the discussion.

Kawhi Leonard is arguably the best two-way player in the league and it’s clear to see why. He is an absolute menace on the defensive end with his offensive abilities getting better and better each year.  Leonard just came off his best season as a pro, averaging 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.

The Spurs are consistently ranked as one of the best teams in the league, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Leonard will definitely be a top candidate for the award but could ultimately end up losing to none other than James.

Last year, James led the Cavaliers to their third straight NBA Finals appearance, his seventh straight. However, James and the Cavs ended up losing in five games to the Golden State Warriors. Nonetheless, in the 2017 NBA Finals, James capped off The Year of the Triple-Double with an amazing statistical feat of his own, becoming the first-player in NBA history to average a triple-double in the NBA Finals.

In the regular season, James had yet another exceptional year, posting career-highs in rebounds (8.6) and assists (8.7). In addition, he averaged 26.4 points, the most since his 2013-14 season.

With the possible departure of teammate, Kyrie Irving, LeBron’s workload will increase, giving him the opportunity to elevate his already incredible stats from last year. His shots will increase, as will  the amount of time the ball is spent in his hands, letting him create more for his team, thus increasing his assist totals.

We all know LeBron James will have another spectacular season next year but with how things are looking, he could potentially add a fifth MVP to his collection. This would move him up above Wilt Chamberlain and tie him with Bill Russell and Michael Jordan for the second most MVP awards of all time, furthermore cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players this league has ever seen.

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