Why LeBron James likely won't win NBA MVP this year

[HeatRing2012]

hi guys, did you read this article again ?

This year's NBA MVP Award probably will go to someone other than LeBron James.

That is not because his regular season performance will be anything but utter domination, and it is not because the Miami Heat are poised for an organizational implosion. It's because this year he doesn't have the most important criterion on his side.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/11/28/lebron-james-mvp-2014-miami-heat-chris-paul-kevin-durant/3773277/

in the followup article http://www.hickory-high.com/?p=9567 they talked about Lebron not getting the full pull in 2013

now my two questions:
1st: how would you react if Lebron wouldn't win the MVP this year, despite having career peaks in FG%, 3p%, FT% etc.
2nd: who was that lunatic that didn't vote for Lebron in the 2013 MVP ballot ?

[Ratchet_Rio]

At his current pace, voters will have no choice but to give it to LeBron.

[CommonSensei]

At his current pace, voters will have no choice but to give it to LeBron.

This. As long as the Heat are the top seed in the East, LeBron will win it unanimously.

[MisterHibachi]

LeBron is on pace to have the best offensive season of ALL TIME. There is literally no excuse to not give it to him if he keeps it up.

'Voter fatigue' is an overblown issue. Its just excuses for fans of runner ups to feel better. Same thing with 'championship hangover' and '3 straight trips to the finals are tiring'. I take it as a compliment sometimes really. Only reason people think we are vulnerable this year is because we won't have the same hunger and we'll be tired. Basically, at full strength and everything equal, we're unbeatable. Same thing for LeBron's MVP and 'voter fatigue'.

[LoveMyHeat]

Finals MVP is all that matters.

[BoshtimusPrime]

Did Michael Jordan need a narrative to win his MVPs? The same should apply to LeBron.

I don't buy that the Pacers/Thunder/Spurs will finish with a better record either. This team is undoubtedly better than last years.

[B_Creamy]

Voter fatigue is definitely overblown. They point at '97 with Malone beating Jordan but Karl was an easy choice in the regular season averaging 28/10/5 on 60%TS on a 64 win team.

If MVP voting happened today LeBron would win unanimously. But who knows what'll happen down the line this season.

[HeatRing2012]

still need to know who that one crazy person in 2013 was (not voting Lebron 1st)

[MisterHibachi]

still need to know who that one crazy person in 2013 was (not voting Lebron 1st)

It was a New York guy. I can't remember his name, but he wrote a short article trying to justify his vote.

[PaulieWal]

still need to know who that one crazy person in 2013 was (not voting Lebron 1st)

The guy revealed himself the next day. He was a writer from Boston I believe and gave the vote to Carmelo because he thought without him the Knicks would be a lottery team. Maybe it's just me but I didn't care that much. That's as close to unanimous as you are going to get. There will always be one or two voters who will go against the grain to get publicity and make a name for themselves especially in a scenario like this when one player is guaranteed the MVP even before the RS has ended.

Edit: Gary Washburn from Boston Globe

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/ ... story.html

[HeatRing2012]

still need to know who that one crazy person in 2013 was (not voting Lebron 1st)

The guy revealed himself the next day. He was a writer from Boston I believe and gave the vote to Carmelo because he thought without him the Knicks would be a lottery team. Maybe it's just me but I didn't care that much. That's as close to unanimous as you are going to get. There will always be one or two voters who will go against the grain to get publicity and make a name for themselves especially in a scenario like this when one player is guaranteed the MVP even before the RS has ended.

Edit: Gary Washburn from Boston Globe

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/ ... story.html

thanks mate.

it's just that Lebron could've been the first MVP to unanimous receive all the votes.

makes me a little mad

[Gwynplaine]

Articles like these came out last year too.
I think there will be too much of a backlash this time around if he doesn't win the MVP. No more decision and it's after effects to hurt him. He is also clearly the best player on the team this time around. Also, the stats are there for everyone to see.

[mopper8]

Let's be honest, nobody from SA is winning it and Paul George isn't winning it averaging 23 ppg (or less). At the end of the day it'll be Lebron, Durant, and CP3, with the winner likely coming from the team with the best record of those 3. I like Miami's and Lebron's chances.

[Rock Hardy]

It's just the normal early season hunt to find someone other than LeBron. By year's end, he'll force them to vote for him again. You just can't ignore his level of greatness.

[narmerguy]

Depends. If PG scores 24-25ppg and Indy has a better record than Miami, PG will probably win it.

Otherwise, I have a hard time seeing CP or KD win it over Lebron unless they also have a better record, which I doubt will happen if we take care of business.

[whitehops]

to be perfectly honest I don't see how LeBron can have a season as good as last year's or better and not win.

especially since the heat are on pace to win 65/66 games and you know they'll pick it up even more...

[DefenseWins]

Sooooo looking to 3peat and getting a 3rd MVP in a row, having 5 MVP's in all to join MJ and Bill Russell isn't a good narrative? What... too legendary for the voters?

It'd be a shame if PG got it just because his team had the best defense and record (sounds familiar?). He is the best scorer on his team, but Hibbert is what makes that defensive team great. Every time Hibbert would be in foul trouble, the Heat would get to the basket (using the eye test here) MUCH easier. Hibbert is also our main concern, along with West, when it comes to the Pacers. It isn't even about PG. He isn't the most threatening player to us. Now THAT'S the criterion PG is missing, being the most threatening player on an opposing team, especially one that is trying to defend their title. Heck, Game 1 of the ECF, Hibbert is out, LeBron BLOWS BY PG, and the game is won, just for an example.

A good candidate is CP3 though, but they aren't the best team in the West yet, not even top 2.

I feel like there will be a better indicator in February.

Also the Heat and Pacers play in about 2 weeks. That will be a game to watch. LeBron has to dominate PG though.

[HEAT111]

Sooooo looking to 3peat and getting a 3rd MVP in a row, having 5 MVP's in all to join MJ and Bill Russell isn't a good narrative? What... too legendary for the voters?

It'd be a shame if PG got it just because his team had the best defense and record (sounds familiar?). He is the best scorer on his team, but Hibbert is what makes that defensive team great. Every time Hibbert would be in foul trouble, the Heat would get to the basket (using the eye test here) MUCH easier. Hibbert is also our main concern, along with West, when it comes to the Pacers. It isn't even about PG. He isn't the most threatening player to us. Now THAT'S the criterion PG is missing, being the most threatening player on an opposing team, especially one that is trying to defend their title. Heck, Game 1 of the ECF, Hibbert is out, LeBron BLOWS BY PG, and the game is won, just for an example.

A good candidate is CP3 though, but they aren't the best team in the West yet, not even top 2.

I feel like there will be a better indicator in February.

Also the Heat and Pacers play in about 2 weeks. That will be a game to watch. LeBron has to dominate PG though.

Not only that but Lebron winning his third straight MVP will mark an historical milestone. Last person to do it was Larry Bird I believe and it has only been by Celtic players if I'm correct. If I'm right, the connections are very noticeable.

[truthiness]

At his current pace, voters will have no choice but to give it to LeBron.

This. As long as the Heat are the top seed in the East, LeBron will win it unanimously.

They might not get the 1st seed (which I wouldn't mind if it meant them being healthy for the playoffs).
And he didn't win it unanimously last season.
There's always an idiot taking a dump in the punch.

LeBron is on pace to have the best offensive season of ALL TIME. There is literally no excuse to not give it to him if he keeps it up.

'Voter fatigue' is an overblown issue. Its just excuses for fans of runner ups to feel better. Same thing with 'championship hangover' and '3 straight trips to the finals are tiring'. I take it as a compliment sometimes really. Only reason people think we are vulnerable this year is because we won't have the same hunger and we'll be tired. Basically, at full strength and everything equal, we're unbeatable. Same thing for LeBron's MVP and 'voter fatigue'.

If "voter fatigue" wasn't an issue, Jordan should have won at least 2 more. AT LEAST.

Did Michael Jordan need a narrative to win his MVPs? The same should apply to LeBron.

I don't buy that the Pacers/Thunder/Spurs will finish with a better record either. This team is undoubtedly better than last years.

See above.
Yes, Jordan lost to the narrative a couple of times, because people were looking for the challenger.
That's how Lebron lost to Rose - big bad Lebron who teamed up with Wade and Bosh, was about to be dethroned (although he hadn't won at that time) by the little engine that could (jump high), Rose.

still need to know who that one crazy person in 2013 was (not voting Lebron 1st)

It was a New York guy. I can't remember his name, but he wrote a short article trying to justify his vote.

Boston moron.
Voted for Melo, of all people.
That's all you need to know to realize how much of a hater that guy is.
JVG was right, his vote should be revoked by the league on account of pure stupidity. I would have understood a vote for Durant, but Melo ? Might as well have voted for Pierce or injured Rondo.

[Heat fan06]

At this pace there's no way he doesn't get it again.