LeBron James to be named MVP

Your 2011-12 NBA MVP is Miami Heat star LeBron James. This should come as no shock. James clearly had the best year of anyone in the NBA. Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, and Tony Parker all have great seasons but there were just quite not as good as James.

It is not official yet but a source told the Associated Press that LeBron James is going to be named the MVP.

A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that Miami’s LeBron James will be announced Saturday as the NBA’s MVP, the third time he’s won the award in the past four seasons.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the results have not been released. James is expected to be presented with the trophy Sunday by Commissioner David Stern before Miami hosts Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Indiana.

This is James three MVP in the last four seasons. The only other players to win three MVP’s are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone. That’s pretty good company. Abdul-Jabbar won the MVP six times, Jordan and Russell five times each and Chamberlain four times

This season James averaged 27.1 points per game, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.9 steals. He also shot 53 % from the field. That’s the best shooting percentage of his career. This was clearly James more efficient season as a pro.

“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.”

“I think he’s probably as committed as he’s ever been in his career,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said this week, asked to summarize James’ season. “And he’s always been committed. … We all respond to his energy on the court.”

While the MVP is a great award for James; he stills needs a ring on his resume. If he wants to be considered one of the all-time greats he will need multiple rings.

One thing is for sure James is not a selfish player and he thinks team more than he thinks about himself.

James can receive many more MVP trophies but if he does not win a ring that is what everyone will remember not how many MVP’s he won.

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Tags: Lebron James