NBA: Is LeBron James Still The 2015 MVP Favorite?
By Sam Richmond
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James entered the season as the unquestioned favorite to win the 2015 NBA MVP award.
First and foremost, he’s viewed almost universally as the league’s best player.
Also, similar to how LeBron’s free-agency decision in 2010 significantly hindered his 2011 MVP chances because it made him such a hated figure, James’ free-agency decision in 2014 made him seemingly a lock for the 2015 MVP because it made him beloved.
Oh, and last season’s MVP, Kevin Durant, suffered a serious injury in the preseason.
The stars aligned perfectly for LeBron.
However, a month into the season, LeBron’s case for MVP doesn’t look nearly as strong as one would have expected it to.
LeBron has played well, averaging 25.3 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game. But he’s also shooting just 47.3 percent from the field, which would be his worst mark since the 2006-07 season, and he has not played strong defense.
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More importantly, James’ Cavs have stumbled out of the gate, winning just seven of their first 14 games. Team success compared to expectations is critical to winning an MVP award.
Perhaps Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans and DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings could make strong MVP cases if they lead their respective teams to the postseason because few expected them to entering the season.
This isn’t the case for LeBron. The Cavaliers were expected to be among the NBA’s best teams. If they aren’t in that group, James won’t win an MVP.
At this point, there are more than a handful of guys that have made a better MVP case than James because of their individual play and their team’s success. That’s a list that includes Davis, Cousins, Stephen Curry, Marc Gasol, James Harden and Kyle Lowry.
However, let’s not bury LeBron’s MVP chances just yet.
Actually, he should still be considered the favorite for the award, despite the Cavs’ woes and the incredible performances guys like Curry and Davis are putting up on a nightly basis.
The fact of the matter is that it’s going to be extremely difficult for anyone to snag the MVP from LeBron if the Cavaliers pick it up and earn a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference. He’s still beloved because of his return to Cleveland. His numbers are still plenty good and presumably would only get better. Plus, he’d be meeting the expectations we have for his team.
Interestingly enough, the Cavs’ slow start might ultimately help James in his quest for a fifth MVP trophy.
Cleveland’s first 14 games have shown that LeBron’s teammates are far from perfect, making a great season from the Cavs look even that much more impressive for James. It’s the perfect MVP story: LeBron goes home to win for his state, faces adversity to the point that some are suggesting he should have stayed in Miami, then he overcomes it by leading a bunch of guys that have never been to postseason to a top playoff seed.
At this point, the question is: can Cleveland actually turn it around?
Yes, the Cavs have really struggled during their first 14 games. But this is still a team that features the best player in the world (James), two stars (Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving) and solid depth. As we saw with the 2010-11 Miami Heat who started 9-8, it takes time for super-teams to gel.
This Cavs team is going to get it together, likely sooner rather than later, and when they do, LeBron James will slowly but surely reclaim his spot as the MVP favorite.