LeBron James: 10 Reasons the Regular-Season MVP Is Not Always the Best Player
Derrick Rose was awarded the regular-season MVP honor, but he was not truly the best player in the league. At any rate I would venture to guess that Rose would trade in his MVP honors for a chance to play in the NBA Finals.
The distinction should be made that the best player in the league is not always considered the MVP and vice versa. Also the MVP is not always competing in the Finals.
However, right now the best player in the league for the 2010-2011 season just happens to also be competing in the NBA Finals, and those honors go to none other than LeBron James.
These are the 10 reasons why LeBron James was the best player of the 2010-2011 season.
First Season with the Miami Heat
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Although LeBron has help (wink, wink), it is still a remarkable feat to lead a new team to the NBA Finals, in they’re first season together. After beginning the season with a rough first month, Miami picked it up and ended the regular season with the second-best record, 58-24.
Exceeded All Expectations
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After snubbing teams like the Knicks and the Bulls, as well as breaking the heart of the entire city of Cleveland, Ohio, it's safe to say LeBron was and probably still is the most hated player in the NBA.
As a result, all expert analysis suggested that LeBron James and the Miami Heat would be good, but not good enough to defeat teams like the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics come playoff time.
Three wins away from his first championship, how did those predictions go?
Shopping the League's Bargain Basement To Fill a Roster
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The Heat roster is filled with many random players, who took major pay cuts because they believed the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh would equal a championship. Even players like Anfernee Hardaway were considering resurrecting their careers to join the Heatles.
If you take a look at the Lakers, Spurs and Celtics, each one of these teams has their own version of a "Big Three" (obviously not as superstar-filled as the Heatles). Still, if you take out Miami’s Big Three and plug in one of these other "Big Threes" with the Heat’s supporting cast, dare I say the result would not be a title run?
It has been truly remarkable how LeBron has led this team with an average supporting cast; though it should come as no surprise, because he pretty much did the same thing in Cleveland without Wade and Bosh.
So Hated That We Created a Name for It
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LeBron hater: A person who dislikes LeBron James for any given reason.
As pointed out previously, LeBron angered many with his offseason free-agent antics. As a result, LeBron James is one of the most hated athletes today. The guy is the NBA equivalent of the Yankees all by himself.
But for those who may sympathy for James, understand the boos and the hate have only fueled the fire and sparked an incredible playoff run.
On Offense a Quadruple Threat
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LeBron James can fill a need at any position. This has been a saving grace for the Miami Heat. Although James plays primarily at the small forward position, his size and strength allow him to play at power forward.
James came into the league with a suspect jump shot at best. But after working on it, LeBron can shoot lights out with the best of them. A perimeter game allows James to play at shooting guard.
James’ speed, court vision, dribbling, and quick decision-making allow him to play the point. James can play four positions and have equal amounts of success at each.
On Defense a Quadruple Threat
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Not only can LeBron James successfully play four positions on offense, he can do it on defense as well.
While it is difficult to be an offensive threat at four different positions, it is more difficult to successfully defend multiple positions. Considering the general differences in skills found at each position (e.g., the difference in speed and strength from the smaller quicker point guards like Derrick Rose, to the larger, more powerful forwards like Kevin Garnett), the intangibles of individual players can obviously complicate things.
There is no better example of LeBron James’ ability to defend multiple positions than his most recent performance in the Eastern Conference finals between the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls. Make no mistake, Derrick Rose was completely shut down in the fourth quarter of every game Miami won.
In Game 2 Derrick Rose was held to two points on 0-of-4 shooting in the fourth quarter.
The defender? LeBron James.
Floor General of the Stars
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When Chris Bosh and LeBron James first joined Dwyane Wade and Pat Riley’s Miami Heat, the question was not who will be the first option, but rather who will be the second? The consensus was LeBron would have to take a back seat because Wade already has the ring.
As the year continued, and now as the playoffs inch closer to a conclusion, it has become increasingly clear that LeBron James is the general out on the floor.
From controlling the tempo and getting his team involved, to drawing the most important defensive assignments while closing out games.
Stats Don't Lie
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Everyone pretty much knew LeBron James, alongside Dwyane Wade, would have to take a pay cut (a small one at least), but everyone agreed both players would take a hit in most stat categories (once again, a small one at least).
LeBron James 2009-2010 Stats
29.7 PPG, 8.6 APG, 7.3 RPG, 1.64 SPG, 1.01 BPG
LeBron James 2010-2011 Stats
26.7 PPG, 7.0 APG, 7.0 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG
LeBron’s assists average this season was at first surprising—one would think having Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh would definitely increase his APG. The fact is both Wade and Bosh can create their own shot respectively, which requires less of a need for LeBron to facilitate at all times.
Still, stats don’t lie and these are MVP-type numbers with a MVP-like player as your wingman (Wade)—a difficult thing to accomplish.
Who Can Stop Him?
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Name one player who can successfully defend LeBron James and I’ll show you one game where LeBron had an off night.
All emotion aside, there is no one right now in the NBA who could defend LeBron James. Ask a coach how he plans to stop LeBron James.
The coach's politically correct answer would be, "You don’t stop LeBron James—you just hope to contain him."
But what the coach is really thinking is "I hope LeBron has an off night."
LeBron James is one of the fastest players in the NBA. James is one of the most athletic, talented, explosive (etc.?) players in the NBA. Package all that into a 6’8”, 250 lb. frame and you won't even have to wave a magic wand to get a fantastical NBA player.
Closer to Jordan Than Kobe
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This might rouse some tension, but when Kobe Bryant was the "next Jordan," the talk was premature. Yes, Kobe is probably one of the best closers in NBA history, but Kobe and Jordan were not LeBron when they came out of high school.
Yes, you read that right. The physical specimen that is LeBron is monstrous compared to the two kids that turned pro all those years ago. Imagine Jordan built like LeBron—that would be like a superhero.
As long as LeBron continues to play at a high rate and stays healthy, there is no reason why he would not be considered the best player in NBA history—he might not have to get six rings. He would need a couple though, and if the Heat keep it up, LeBron’s first ring is soon to come.
