NBA MVP 2012: Kevin Durant Admits LeBron James Deserves Award

For many observers, the 2012 NBA MVP race is between Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and LeBron James.

Now even the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar has stated that the award belongs to James.

According to Darnell Mayberry of NewsOK.com, Durant is humbled by just being thought of in the same class as LeBron and knows that the Miami Heat star should get the honor.

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“He [LeBron] deserves all the love [for MVP],” said 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.”

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James is leading the Heat in points (27.1), rebounds (7.9) and assists (6.2), which is simply an astonishing feat when you consider the intense effort he exerts on the defensive end.

It’s arguably the finest season LeBron has had—surpassing his MVP campaigns in 2009 and 2010.

Durant is in the running because he has put together what is likely his best professional season as well. KD is averaging 27.9 points, eight rebounds and 3.5 assists while leading the young Thunder to one of the best records in the league.

Chris Paul can also be considered due to the fact that he’s leading the Clippers to a respectable finish—something much easier said than done considering the team has finished above .500 just three times since 1976—and averaging 19.6 PPG, 9.1 APG, 3.5 RPG and 2.5 SPG.

If it weren’t for LeBron’s insane year, it would be a tight battle between those last two candidates for the award. But in 2012, it just isn’t close.

When the No. 2 player is conceding defeat with a few games left on the slate, you know for certain the race is over.

Take a bow, King James. You are about to be crowned MVP.