Hoops Habit
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Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid is early NBA MVP favorite

By Larry Mendte

Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

5. LeBron James

If LeBron James leads the Los Angeles Lakers to greatness again, it is difficult to believe that voters would not reward him with his fifth MVP award, tie with Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls and Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics for second on the all-time list behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who won six, two with the Milwaukee Bucks and four with the Lakers.

Every year James has the statistics to make him a top contender for the award and this year is no exception. James is averaging 26.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game.

But right now the Lakers are 5-6 and on the wrong side of the playoffs cutoff. Even LeBron
James would have a difficult time winning the MVP on a team that doesn’t finish near the top of the league.

Unless the Lakers improve dramatically, LeBron will have to wait for his MVP season in a Lakers uniform.