LA Lakers star LeBron James faces competition for MVP award
–LA Lakers star LeBron James isn’t just considered the top player of his generation, many NBA followers have him amongst the best to have ever played professional basketball. The 36-year-old from Ohio features as a small forward and has, at times this season, single-handedly carried the Lakers to victory.
Supporters of other NBA teams, in jealousy, ask where the Lakers would be without James, something those loyal to the Western Conference team don’t want to think about. He’s already a four-time NBA champion, claiming glory in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2020. He’s also been named NBA Most Valuable Player on our occasions, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013.
LeBron is in the thick of another stunning season, but the latest sports betting California odds suggest he has a fight on his hands to claim another regular-season MVP. The Lakers loyal hope the increased levels of competition will bring out the best in their man who has seen it all before in his glittering career.
James feeling the effects
The fact James is now in year 18 of his professional basketball career having spent much of his time competing for major prizes, it’s likely he’ll want to bow out on a high. Has he got another NBA Championship in him? There’s likely, at least, one more.
The Lakers lead the betting lists to win the title this season. They are hot favourites with most sportsbooks who make them the team to beat ahead of Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.
LeBron is beginning to show the signs of such a long career, however, and he has appeared on the injury list more than a few times this season. A troublesome left ankle injury kept him out of a game against the Timberwolves and that’s something that will worry the player, coaches and fans. The Lakers’ best chance of winning the NBA Championship comes from keeping James fit, healthy and firing on all cylinders.
If he picked up another Championship, he may decide to call time on his playing career, opting to go out on a high. Before making that decision there’s plenty of work still to be done this season and the absences will surely damage LeBron’s chances of winning the regular season MVP award. He’s leading the way at present, according to odds-makers, but it’s a competitive market.
Embiid the main contender
There’s no doubting the fact James is good enough to clinch the MVP spot again this season and if Lakers do take the Championship it would only improve his chances. His form has been outstanding but nothing short of what we have come to expect from him over the years. He is worth his weight in gold to the team, winning points on his own and turning games in their favour.
Recurring injuries, especially as we enter a crucial stage of the campaign, certainly wouldn’t work in his favour, however. That’s the danger to those supporting LeBron. If he doesn’t go on to win the Most Valuable Player award, who can we expect to compete for the prize?
There may be clues in the betting with sportsbooks rating Joel Embiid as the main danger. The Cameroonian 26-year-old on the books of Philadelphia 76ers is playing some of the best basketball of his career and is the standout player for his team.
He has been described as a chess player on the court, using his skills and intelligence to draw fouls in important areas of the court. The 7ft center has never been crowned MVP but he’s heading in the right direction to end his wait.
Jokic in eye-catching form
Others in the running for MVP are Nikola Jokic, the Serbian center at the Denver Nuggets and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks and the Serbian national basketball team. The latter was, once again, in eye-catching form despite his team’s loss to the Trail Blazers.
In that match, Jokic registered 44 points with nine assists and seven rebounds, all achieved in just 36 minutes of play. Denver isn’t showing the best form in the NBA, but we have seen many times in the past that isn’t an obstacle to a player being MVP.
