LeBron James Is ESPN's Pick, and He Should Be MVP

Let me start by stating that I am a LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers supporter. Nevertheless, it’s ludicrous to be labeled "biased" when claiming LeBron is the best player in the league, or that the Cavs are the favorite to win it all this year.

If anyone’s prejudiced, it’s the group who says this (the majority are Kobe/Laker diehards, go figure). Hear me out.

Cleveland just locked up home-court advantage throughout the playoffs by clinching the league’s best record last night against the Indiana Pacers. To say clinching home-court is huge would be an understatement.

Given the Cavs' phenomenal record at home (39-1), it’s downright silly to make the claim that the Cavs aren’t the team to beat with home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. This is a team that will tie an NBA record for best home mark with a win Wednesday.

The Cavs have forcefully handled almost every team that steps foot in Cleveland. Did you see the dismantling of the C’s on Easter afternoon? I know Boston was without the "Big Ticket," but either way you look at it, a 31-point spanking is embarrassing!

Perhaps a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals? We all know Boston can’t win in Cleveland…if you’ve yet to notice this, you need to step your NBA game up.

Laker enthusiasts will be quick to point out the game in Cleveland on Feb. 8, in which L.A. handed the Cavs their only loss at Quicken Loans Arena. This is not a legitimate point to make given the circumstances, nor is the loss in L.A. (without West and Ilgauskas against a full-strength LA team).

Cleveland was dealing with some key injuries. Fresh off injury, Zydrunas Ilgauskas wasn’t fully healthy while Delonte West was out with a broken wrist when the teams squared off in Cleveland.

The Lakers were without Andrew Bynum, but Lamar Odom isn’t a bad player to have taken his place in the starting lineup (some might make the claim that Lamar Odom is a superstar). Do you know who was starting in place of West? Sasha Pavlovic. Yes, Sasha Pavlovic! I mean, Wally Sczerbiak played 34 minutes when L.A. won in Cleveland!

I know Lakers fans will argue that they have a deeper bench, which might not be an unreasonable argument. Los Angeles unquestionably has a talented bench with players like Odom, Walton, Farmar, Vujacic, and Adam Morrison (that was a joke).

However, I don’t think the Cavs bench is given enough recognition. Anderson Varejao was inserted into the starting lineup following Ben Wallace’s injury, and I feel Varejao is one of the most improved players in the league this season.

He might look like Sideshow Bob, but night in and night out, Varejao gives it everything he’s got, including his body. Bringing Joe Smith back, despite all the comments made about him being a bust of a first overall pick (I seriously hear this every time Smith is at the stripe) was a huge acquisition.

Smith allows Z, Varejao, and Wallace to keep fresh legs. Smith can shoot, rebound, and is a great defender. Smith, Wallace, Gibson, Hickson, and Sczerbiak provide solid contributions for Cleveland. Overall though, I think it’s fair to say LA has a more talented bench.

For those of you who love to bring up the "clutch" argument when comparing LeBron and Kobe or LeBron and Wade, get your facts straight first! I suggest taking a look at 82games.com. If you’re looking for NBA statistics, 82games.com has it.

On this site, you can find NBA player “clutch” stats. “Clutch” is defined as: fourth quarter or overtime, less than five minutes left, neither team ahead by more than five points. The site breaks down all players’ production per 48 minutes of Clutch Time. LeBron (.549) has a considerably better FG percentage than Bryant (.468) or Wade (.481).

Not a good clutch three-point shooter? Think again. LBJ leads Kobe and Dwyane Wade in three point percentage as well at .421.

Other notable categories James leads are assists, rebounds, steals, +/-, and dance moves. Kobe does average slightly more points and has a higher FT percentage than both ‘Bron and Wade.

I’m a strong supporter of individual stats not holding much significance if their team isn’t doing well, but as a result of his ridiculous play, LBJ has his team atop the NBA and in great position to win his first of many titles.