USA Today via Reuters
Jan 25, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 25, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Last season, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo went head to head in the MVP race. While Giannis ended up winning the second consecutive MVP trophy of the year, many still believe LeBron was robbed of the fifth MVP of his career.
However, LBJ and the Lakers did end up winning the 2020 NBA Championship and the L-Train bagged in the Finals MVP. Fast forward to the 2020-21 NBA season, LeBron has turned 36 years old, but he is still in the MVP conversation.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
He has led the LA Lakers to a 14-5 record this season, but will the King be crowned with another MVP trophy?
Kendrick Perkins on LeBron James losing the MVP race last season
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 21, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Monroe/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Former NBA center and LBJ’s teammate, Kendrick Perkins, spoke up about James being robbed of his fifth MVP trophy last season. He also labeled LeBron James the favorite to win MVP honors this season on “First Take.”
“We get caught up in those analytics, we get caught up in PR, all that stuff doesn’t even matter… Last year, when I was arguing to you about Giannis and I’m not taking nothing from Giannis [Antetokounmpo], he is a hell of a player. But LeBron James was robbed! He was robbed. And everybody that voted for Giannis last year should owe that man an apology.”
.@KendrickPerkins calls LeBron being the MVP favorite "appropriate."
"[Last year] LeBron James was robbed! He was robbed. And everybody that voted for Giannis last year should owe that man an apology." pic.twitter.com/DxeeeJshh9
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 27, 2021
Well, we can’t change what happened in the past. Whether LeBron deserved to win the MVP last year or not, he didn’t. But this season, he again has a chance to win the glorious MVP trophy.
Is LeBron James the favorite to win the 2021 NBA MVP trophy?
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 10, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
While the season is still young, LeBron is yet again putting a strong case to become the MVP. As of now, he is averaging 25.6 points in just 33.0 minutes per game. These are the lowest minutes that LeBron has averaged in his entire career! Despite that, he is a top candidate to become the MVP of the league.
ALSO READ | Did LeBron James Deserve to Be Unanimous MVP in 2013?
If the Lakers continue this level of form throughout the season, LeBron will remain one of the favorites in the MVP race. What are your thoughts? Who do you think will be the 2021 MVP? Let us know your views in the comments section below.
