LeBron James Should Win an Underwhelming MVP

LeBron will likely win MVP as everyone shrugs. He deserves the distinction, though. The man is shooting 53 percent from a wing position, a nearly unfathomable feat in the modern NBA. The Heat have perhaps underwhelmed whatever vague expectations were set for them, but it's difficult to put that on James. The team was 13-1 with LeBron in games Dwyane Wade missed, and Miami could have notched the top seed had they actually played their stars down the stretch. 

The consensus seems to agree on this, or at least the consensus among smart observers. Bill Simmons, Zach Lowe, Kevin Pelton—everyone is on board with LeBron's third MVP.

And yet the victory seems hollow for James. This is because we have placed so much emphasis on winning a title that regular-season exploits can barely be appreciated. Or, if they are appreciated in the short term, such production is overridden by whatever postseason narrative follows. To many observers, LeBron's hardware is now just a reminder of what's expected of him, and what he's fallen short of achieving. So the award we tend to ardently argue over means almost nothing per the reputation of its recipient. 

The MVP award feels culturally meaningful when it represents something of a superstardom bar mitzvah. Congrats, D-Rose, you are truly a man among stars! You now belong! Not so fast, Durant, you have to practice your Haftarah. The award can occasionally represent a new team/era (think: Nash's Suns), which also gives it some verve, regardless of fairness (think: Steve Nash winning twice).  

A superstar's or team's ascent is a ready-made story, one that heralds a new dawn. LeBron James winning a third MVP? It's the echo of the status quo, thus not a story, not exciting and not celebrated. It is merely a correct historical footnote, the acknowledgment of an incredible feat accomplished in a large space we've chosen not to care all that much about.