Miami Heat: Does LeBron James Have the NBA MVP Award Locked Up?

A lot of pressure is on the shoulders of Miami Heat superstar, LeBron James.

After having another season-ending meltdown on the court last year, James faces a critical point in his career entering the 2011-12 NBA season. This season has been billed as the defining moment of James' career.

James treated the opening game of the season as such and delivered a dominant performance against the Dallas Mavericks. James was sensational from beginning to end. He quickly amassed 37 points, while distributing the basketball to teammates, and getting steals on defense. There was no weak point in his game.

We have seen LeBron be dominant before, but this performance was special. Despite the criticism and the aforementioned pressure, James rose to the occasion. He also seemed to do it without breaking a sweat. The game was natural and seemed easy to him.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has stated he is giving James more control on offense and the results likely will be staggering. There is no reason to think James and the Heat will slow from their brilliant opening day performance.

The reason being James' new post game will open the floor for everyone. It will also cause him to get to the line at a frantic pace. The offense will be faster so he'll also score more points per game this season.

Can you imagine a player that already leads the NBA in efficiency becoming more efficient?

How will teams deal with James passing out of the post? If he decides to post and go up strong to the basket, do you foul him every time as the Mavericks did? He only missed four of his 19 free-throw attempts against the Mavericks. If he constantly dishes the ball to Dwyane Wade out of the post, what then is the alternative?

This is why James will have the MVP award locked up this year.

He is extremely motivated and all signs point to him having the best year of his career.

Who is to stand in his way?

Dwight Howard seems very distracted by the tension he has created in Orlando.

Kevin Durant is great, but what can he do outside of score?

Finally, Derrick Rose will have a great year, but defenses will plan for him like never before. His first two games have seen him struggle to get into the paint as he did last season. Rose simply won't repeat the brilliant year he had last season.

That leaves the door open for James, whose team will be dominant and whose star player will shine the brightest.

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