The case for LeBron James to win MVP over Giannis Antetokounmpo

The narratives

I think it is incredibly inappropriate to bring the tragic death of Kobe Bryant or the preseason China scandal into this MVP discussion. It’s irrelevant, irreverent, and it has been upsetting to see some members of the media stoop to that level. But I do think it is important to acknowledge what everybody thought about the actual pieces on the Laker roster coming into the season.

This summer was sea of jokes about Rob Pelinka, Kurt Rambis and Jeanie Buss, revolving around their seeming utter incompetence. Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies fans roasted the Avery Bradley signing. Lakers fans laughed at the Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signings, and everybody in the world scoffed at the Dwight Howard signing. Las Vegas had the Lakers at a projected over/under win total of 50.5, despite the vaunted pairing of LeBron and Anthony Davis.

And yet it all came together under LeBron’s ability to mask the flaws of those around him, and as a result the Lakers finished on pace for 64 wins, well above expectations.

And this is what makes LeBron’s MVP case so simple. He was the best player, on arguably the best team in the league when you looked at the standings with just a little bit of scrutiny. And to top it off, it was incredibly clear who the more indispensable player was.

There are so many different ways to interpret the NBA’s MVP award. Some think it should go to the best player on the best team. Some think it should go to the player whose team needs him most desperately, and some think it should go to the player who has simply shown they are the best.

LeBron, in my opinion, has checked all three of those boxes. I don’t think he’ll get nearly enough votes to take home the award, but I believe he genuinely deserves it. And it is my hope that over these weeks of free time that the voters will dig a little deeper to find that answer.