Will LeBron James Best Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson and Three-Peat As MVP?

During the 2010-2011 NBA regular season, LeBron James will have the chance to obtain his third consecutive NBA MVP award.  The only three players in NBA history to three-peat as MVP have been Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bill Russell.

In that short list, there is no Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, two players that LeBron James is commonly compared to and have been his role models through his career.  Michael Jordan although he earned five MVP awards, did not three-peat as MVP in the NBA.  Also, Magic Johnson earned three awards of his own, but only two consecutive.

Regardless of what anybody’s opinion is about LeBron James, he is still the best basketball player in the NBA.  His personal decisions during the offseason have made him a player disliked by many members of the NBA family including coaches, former players, teammates, and even fans.  But that does not mean he is less of a basketball player.

Many reasons can be attributed to why players are not commonly awarded consecutive MVP awards.  Some believe a player should better himself statistically to earn a consecutive award.  Some believe that if the team does not perform at the same level and there is a loss in the wins column, the player shall not be awarded another MVP.  Others believe that perhaps “someone else should get it this year.”

As for LeBron James, chances are the Miami Heat will likely better the Cleveland Cavalier’s record of 66 wins last season.  Also, given the right amount of minutes, LeBron is bound to have the most efficient years in his career.  He might not score 30 points per game, but with teammates like Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, he is bound to be as efficient on both ends of the court as he has ever been.  There is even speculation that he might have the chance to average a triple-double.

Now why would the NBA representatives that will be voting choose LeBron James as the league MVP when players like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan were not given the honor?  Chances are they will not.  But it will not be because LeBron James did not earn it.  It will not be because another player is better than him.  Also, the reason why will not be explicitly stated.

If LeBron James is to miss out on the chance to be the fourth player in NBA history to three-peat as NBA MVP, there will surely be vague reasons for it.  People will blame it on the Heat’s level of talent.  They will blame it on the Heat being Dwayne Wade’s team.  But at the end of the day, whatever reason it may be, it will not be legitimate.

LeBron James is the best player in the NBA today and will be the best player in the NBA next season.  Weather he is recognized as the league’s most valuable player is a mystery.  But whether he will deserve will be an unanimous decision.