LeBron James will reportedly be named the 2013 NBA MVP, which is an absolute no-brainer. It will also be the self-proclaimed King’s fourth MVP in five years — that’s stepping into legendary status.
LeBron averaged 26.8 points, eight rebounds and 7.3 assists this season; only four other players have come closer to averaging a triple-double in a single season since Oscar Robertson accomplished that incredible feat in 1961. In fact, this was LeBron’s most efficient season yet, which is scary to consider and leads many to believe he could be the first unanimous selection as the NBA MVP. Considering that’s never happened before, it could be a stretch, but when his absolutely remarkable season is taken into a count, it’s not as farfetched as you might think.
Now with four on his mantle, James joins an elite group with that many Maurice Podoloff Trophies: Bill Russell (5), Wilt Chamberlain (4), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6) and Michael Jordan (5). At only 28 years old, LeBron has the opportunity to cement his legacy by passing Kareem, the only man with six MVP awards. Even if he doesn’t continue to improve and just stays on this current pace, James should win his eighth MVP award by the time he’s 33. So if he remains healthy, it’s not a stretch to think he might win 10 before he retires. If he has at least a trio of rings by then as well, the LeBron vs. Jordan debate will be unbearable.
