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Posted: **Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:42 pm**

By Michael Wallace
ESPN.com
LeBron rests MVP case, grounds Rockets

MIAMI -- LeBron James sure had a compelling way of showing his gratitude for that league most valuable player endorsement Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale extended before Sunday's game against the Miami Heat.

James essentially said “thank you” by sending the Rockets home for the season in a 97-88 Heat victory that eliminated the Rockets from playoff contention in Miami's final home game of the regular season.

With the Heat basically locked into the No. 2 playoff seed in the East and firmly committed to resting their star players for the playoffs, there didn't appear to be much of a reason for James to even bother to suit up for Sunday's game. Dwyane Wade was sitting out to recover from a dislocated index finger. Chris Bosh took his fourth consecutive game off to recover from what the team on Sunday termed as “muscle fatigue” in his legs.

James had finally, albeit somewhat reluctantly, submitted to coach Erik Spoelstra's “maintenance program” and sat out of Saturday's loss to the Washington Wizards.

Posted: **Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:48 pm**

LeBron James has been simply brilliant this season, averaging 27.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and shooting a career-best 52.9 percent from the field. And his current player efficiency rating of 30.54 is one of the best marks of all time.

So will he take home his third MVP trophy this season? How about his first defensive player of the year award or first Finals MVP award? Let's debate!

1. LeBron vs. the field: 2011-12 Most Valuable Player.

Israel Gutierrez, ESPN.com: When you consider complete body of work, it has always been LeBron. Not only did he have easily the best first half of the season, but he has excelled with Dwyane Wade out and has had impressive moments of late. Kevin Durant, meanwhile, has picked a bad time to be erratic.

Tom Haberstroh, Heat Index: LeBron. He might not have the most compelling narrative, but his individual dominance is simply too great this season. His lead in PER is the largest we've seen in more than a decade. Kevin Durant has faded, the Heat are chasing the league's top record and hard feelings from the Decision have thawed. Another regular-season award is in store.

Beckley Mason, ESPN.com: I'll take LeBron because as far as I can tell, "the field" here just means Kevin Durant. If the Thunder don't win the top seed in the West, I think Durant's case takes a significant hit. Miami and OKC have nearly identical records, and I don't think there's an individual statistical case for Durant. If LeBron turns in one more signature performance, that should lock it up.

Chris Palmer, ESPN The Magazine: For the past few weeks I've been going back and forth between LeBron and Kevin Durant for MVP. It's an impossibly tight race, but the trophy will go to James. Durant's having a career year across the board, but save for a brief cool spell in March, LeBron has been otherworldly. And if voters consider James' superior defense, it's an easy decision.

David Thorpe, ESPN.com: LeBron. I can't account for the voters, so I'll make my own argument. LeBron has better partners (but not by much) in Wade and Chris Bosh compared to Durant (Russell Westbrook and James Harden), but if Miami's Big Three played alongside the rest of the Thunder and Durant's trio were in Miami, OKC would have won 50-plus games this season. I don't think anyone is in LeBron's class.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-o ... s-vs-field

Posted: **Mon Apr 23, 2012 2:55 pm**

Its coming , brace yourselves fro MPV

Posted: **Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:24 pm**

Kevin Durant says LeBron James should win MVP

“He deserves all the love (for MVP),” said Thunder forward Kevin Durant. “He’s playing phenomenal basketball. I’m just trying to get better every single game and trying to help my team as much as I can. I’m just blessed to be in that conversation.”

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/ ... d-win-mvp/

Posted: **Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:15 pm**

As a Bulls fan, I say LeBron is the MVP hands down.

My reasoning is that Durant (he is the only other challenger for MVP) has had Westbrook and Harden basically throughout the year and has had a lot of help. They are basically super healthy team compared to other teams. Westbrook has taken that next step and Harden is basically a 6th man of the year.

On the other hand, LeBron has been playing simply phenomenal and clearly the best player on the planet. He was having one of the best seasons by a player for more than half a year and Heat have basically same record as Thunder even with Wade missing a lot of games.

LeBron is the MVP and SHOULD be IMO.

Posted: **Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:53 pm**

^ you will get in the ring of honor for that.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:02 am**

Another thing about Durant and Westbrook.

Westbrook HAS NOT MISSED A GAME!!!!!!!! We have YET to see how Durant would be for about 10 games in a row or so without Westbrook.

Wade has obviously been out a lot this year. We're 13-2 without Wade right (counting the last 2 games). One game we won without LeBron and Wade, but seriously, LeBron carried this team and made Bosh better when Wade was out earlier in the year. That's when we played our best basketball, then when Wade came back we were great too. But we still looked so dominate with just LeBron and Bosh out there.

LeBron SHOULD get it. He leads the team is just about everything and is one of our best rebounders.

LeMVP!!!

and thanks cool007 for your input, I agreed with everything you said.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:51 am**

Off topic but man it would be Deja Vu if Lebron wins the MVP and we lose in the first round. Pretty sure that happened to the Mavericks the following year after losing to us in the Finals.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:07 am**

DefenseWins wrote:Another thing about Durant and Westbrook.

Westbrook HAS NOT MISSED A GAME!!!!!!!! We have YET to see how Durant would be for about 10 games in a row or so without Westbrook.

I would like to see that just so all the westbrook haters could see that Westbrook isn't holding Durant back from averaging 50 points per game.

I will say that Durant has quietely upped his defense this year, and I expect in another year or two he's going to be a huge force on that end with his length and athleticism. The guy basically has KG's body with Larry Bird's game.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:12 am**

David Aldredge - NBA.com - http://www.nba.com/2012/news/features/d ... ef:nbahpt1

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

• THE WINNER: LeBron James, Miami
RUNNER-UP: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
THE OTHERS: Kobe Bryant, L.A Lakers; Tony Parker, San Antonio; Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers

There is everything to love about my fellow D.C. native Durant, from his scoring to his improved defense to his continued outstanding demeanor as the Thunder's franchise player. But in all candor, this one isn't close.

James has had what I believe to be the best season of his nine-year career. He's had better statistical numbers, but he's never had as much impact on his team, and its game, and he deserves his third league MVP.

Freed earlier in the season by coach Erik Spoelstra to get out and run whenever possible, James has been unstoppable from the start of the season, when he went for 37, 10 and 6 on Christmas Day against the Mavericks. Playing more in the post by design, he has never been more lethal in the halfcourt. He's scored in double figures in each of his 61 games this season, and is shooting a career-best 53 percent from the floor despite taking almost 19 shots per game.

He leads the league in advanced stats, tops both in the NBA's Efficiency Rating and John Hollinger's PER on ESPN.com. Defensively, he has been as good as ever, guarding the likes of Durant down the stretch of big wins, and he's guarded point guards and fours with equal effectiveness. His critics will point to his continuing struggles offensively in the fourth quarter, but the Heat are 13-1 this season with Dwyane Wade out of the lineup.

Which is, again, another reason for James' supremacy. While Rose, and Dwight Howard, and Kobe Bryant, and Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony and many of the league's superstars have each missed large chunks of the season with injury, James has chugged right along, missing just two games, including Saturday night's loss to Washington to rest, not because of injury.

Of course, James will ultimately be judged by the postseason. But we're voting on the regular season. And James has been the best player night in and out by far this season.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:15 am**

Vertical Limit wrote:Off topic but man it would be Deja Vu if Lebron wins the MVP and we lose in the first round. Pretty sure that happened to the Mavericks the following year after losing to us in the Finals.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:18 am**

WD wrote:Kevin Durant says LeBron James should win MVP

“He deserves all the love (for MVP),” said Thunder forward Kevin Durant. “He’s playing phenomenal basketball. I’m just trying to get better every single game and trying to help my team as much as I can. I’m just blessed to be in that conversation.”

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/ ... d-win-mvp/

oh wow I missed this post.

Yep he got is wrapped up. Durant was a good 2nd choice, to me it's between them for the next few years.

The Bulls having the number 1 seed with Rose missing like 38% of the season should take him out of the convo for awhile...

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:25 am**

Ehh, as much as LBJ's got it locked up...I would not be suprised to see a few last minute "shake ups", just for the hell of the winner being LeBron.

These guys can change their mind anytime. Just look at Magic Johnson. While I do not think that LBJ's 3rd MVP is in any REAL DANGER, there is always that chance. But whatever, let the preparations for the brief celebration commence! (cuz we got a ring to win).

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:59 am**

This sounds like a done deal. Wonder how he'll do the announcement. In the past he's had it at his hold high school or with teammates. I doubt he does that now.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:31 am**

Maybe they can do it in when we play in Chicago for the ECF? Then Lebron can tell the crowd "Let me show you what a real MVP looks like!" :lol:

Seriously though it'll probably be some home game in the 2nd round if he does get it.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:14 am**

Heat3 wrote:Maybe they can do it in when we play in Chicago for the ECF? Then Lebron can tell the crowd "Let me show you what a real MVP looks like!"

Seriously though it'll probably be some home game in the 2nd round if he does get it.

It's usually the first home game of the MVP winners team in the second round.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:08 am**

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 4:13 pm**

^^ I see what you did there. As for MVP, yeah hes a front-runner. I care for the Larry O'Brien more though.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:26 pm**

After tumultuous first year in Miami, LeBron returns a new man

James isn't just coping, he is completing one of the finest all-around seasons in the NBA's modern era. At week's end he was averaging 27.1 points with 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists while shooting 53.1 percent. Larry Bird never shot 53.1 percent. His player efficiency rating of 30.6 leads the league by more than four points, and he is holding opposing small forwards to an anemic efficiency rating of 10.4, according to 82games.com. The 6-foot-8 James is the Heat's best ball handler, passer and post scorer, but he also covers everyone from point guards to centers, sometimes in the same game. "We are asking him to play at an MVP level," says coach Erik Spoelstra, "and at a Defensive Player of the Year level." James is attempting fewer three-pointers than ever while making them at a higher clip (36.2 percent). He is grabbing more rebounds in part because he is spending more time inside. His game log is a litany of near triple doubles. The NBA has not witnessed such a balanced and prolific individual assault since Michael Jordan in 1988--89, two years before his first title.

LOWE: Choice for 2012 MVP award is obvious

After the Heat acquired Cleveland State point guard Norris Cole on draft night, James invited him to Bath to work out. On a table in James's living room was a book about leadership called "The Ant and the Elephant," a gift from a friend. James is not much of a reader, but he opted for the book over TV. "It's about an ant who is trying to find his way to this great place, this oasis, but the only way to get there is to train an elephant who wants to get there too," James says. "At one point the ant is on the elephant's back and they are walking through the sand and there is a pack of lions, and the elephant scares the lions off. The ant is like, I have the toughest friend in the world. But later that day the elephant sees a mouse, and he gets scared and runs away. The ant can't understand how this big creature could be so dominant over a pack of lions but so scared of a mouse. The ant has to train the elephant to let him know, You are the biggest, baddest thing out here." James pauses for a moment. As a member of a supposed juggernaut, he can relate to the ant. And as a 250-pound force of nature, he can relate to the elephant. "I took a lot from that," he says.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/m ... z1t0GTAJeS

Posted: **Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:02 am**

WD wrote:After tumultuous first year in Miami, LeBron returns a new man

James isn't just coping, he is completing one of the finest all-around seasons in the NBA's modern era. At week's end he was averaging 27.1 points with 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists while shooting 53.1 percent. Larry Bird never shot 53.1 percent. His player efficiency rating of 30.6 leads the league by more than four points, and he is holding opposing small forwards to an anemic efficiency rating of 10.4, according to 82games.com. The 6-foot-8 James is the Heat's best ball handler, passer and post scorer, but he also covers everyone from point guards to centers, sometimes in the same game. "We are asking him to play at an MVP level," says coach Erik Spoelstra, "and at a Defensive Player of the Year level." James is attempting fewer three-pointers than ever while making them at a higher clip (36.2 percent). He is grabbing more rebounds in part because he is spending more time inside. His game log is a litany of near triple doubles. The NBA has not witnessed such a balanced and prolific individual assault since Michael Jordan in 1988--89, two years before his first title.

LOWE: Choice for 2012 MVP award is obvious

After the Heat acquired Cleveland State point guard Norris Cole on draft night, James invited him to Bath to work out. On a table in James's living room was a book about leadership called "The Ant and the Elephant," a gift from a friend. James is not much of a reader, but he opted for the book over TV. "It's about an ant who is trying to find his way to this great place, this oasis, but the only way to get there is to train an elephant who wants to get there too," James says. "At one point the ant is on the elephant's back and they are walking through the sand and there is a pack of lions, and the elephant scares the lions off. The ant is like, I have the toughest friend in the world. But later that day the elephant sees a mouse, and he gets scared and runs away. The ant can't understand how this big creature could be so dominant over a pack of lions but so scared of a mouse. The ant has to train the elephant to let him know, You are the biggest, baddest thing out here." James pauses for a moment. As a member of a supposed juggernaut, he can relate to the ant. And as a 250-pound force of nature, he can relate to the elephant. "I took a lot from that," he says.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/m ... z1t0GTAJeS

Great read

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