The most expected annoucement of the NBA season has arrived: LeBron James is the Most Valuable Player of the 2008-09 National Basketball Association regular season. Everyone but the most one-eyed Los Angeles Lakers fans have been expecting that LBJ would win this much deserved award after the remarkable season he has had. James’ stats (28.4ppg, 7.6rpg, 7.2apg, 1.7spg, 1.1bpg) are simply eye-popping and only potentially rivalled by Dwyane Wade for overall efficacy.
James received 109 of a potential 121 first place votes, Bryant ranked second overall in voting, despite receiving less first place votes (two) than third-placed Wade (seven). Others receiving first-place votes were fourth-ranked Dwight Howard (one) and fifth-placed Chris Paul (two).
Did King James deserve the award this season? In my opinion, undoubtedly. The reasons are three-fold:
- Individual performance: the stats mentioned above are resounding. That says it all.
- Team performance: LeBron led the Cavs to the best record in the league, 66-16, including 39-2 at home.
- Consistent dominance: James has been building to this, his best season, since he came into the league. He has a persona in the NBA that scares and awes opponents. No one else has that effect on his opposition.
Huge Cleveland Cavs and LeBron fan, Carolyn at And One, points out how classy he was in receiving his award back where it all began — his high school at St Vincent-St Marys. He has proven himself as a team-oriented individual who places the greater good above individual accolades. It will be interesting to see if that can be translated to a Finals victory for the Cavs this season…and a longer-term stay in Cleveland for the versatile forward.
All season long the bloggers of the NBA have been voting on their own MVP candidates. The final iteration of that vote is over at Sactown Royalty. Interestingly, the voting order is very similar to that voted by the official voters (mainstream media sportswriters and broadcasters).
Out of interest, the A Stern Warning votes in the bloggers ballot were as follows:
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
1. LeBron James — It is undeniable that King James has dominated this season like no other. This season the Cavs’ record proves doubly that he is the Most Valuable Player in the NBA.
2. Kobe Bryant — This season when Bryant has been discussed in the context of his value, the discussion invariably mentions LeBron James as well. This is not a slight on Bryant, but more so a compliment, when you consider how remarkable James’ season has been.
3. Dwyane Wade — No player has had a bigger increase in impact in comparison to their 2008 performance. Wade is an unstoppable atheltic force. Put him on a contender and their may be no point discussing any other name in MVP debates.
4. Brandon Roy — If you’re considering the ability to drive a team’s record beyond what otherwise should be attainable, no player other than King James compares with Roy this season. A rock. An underrated superstar. Roy has led a young team to homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
5. Dwight Howard — MDIP, “Most Dominant Inside Player.” Dwight wins this award, if nothing else.
6. Deron Williams — The way in which D-Will drove the Jazz in the second half of the season was inspiring to his teammates to the tune of an eighth playoff seed that noone would want to face.
7. Paul Pierce — Celtics players are often ignored in MVP discussions due to their Big Three’s collaborative powers, however Pierce has been the one constant for the green machine this season and can not be ignored.
8. Tim Duncan — The fact that the Spurs stand strong in the playoff situation despite numerous injuries is a testament to T-Robot’s unshakeable consistency.
9. Chris Paul — Whilst he has dropped in many MVP estimations, there is no denying that Paul is a freak in a normal man’s body.
10. Joe Johnson — No JJ, no Hawks in the picture. Simple as that.
