Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Can LeBron win back to back to back MVPs?

There have been 12 multiple MVPs in the history of the league: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan and Bill Russell (5), Wilt Chamberlain (4), Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone (3), Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Steve Nash, Bob Pettit and LeBron James (2).

It has long been my opinion that LeBron James would win three or more in his career and after winning the last two, I thought back to back to back MVPs were very realistic. However, we all know that MVP voting is a popularity contest and I imagine a lot of voters will be looking for an excuse to vote elsewhere. Dwyane Wade stands to gain a lot of votes usually ear marked for LeBron, not because he deserves them (which he very well may, considering he was snubbed two seasons ago as Palmereinse noted), but because certain members of the media will be trying to create a jealousy storyline between the two superstars. Many expect the presence of both LeBron and Dwyane on one to team to cost each a legitimate shot at winning an MVP trophy under the theory that they took the easy way out by joining forces.

In previewing this season's MVP race I think it should be Miami's trophy to lose using the formula of voting for the best player on the best team. I expect LeBron to have career numbers including 9+ assists per game, which would earn my vote. It would be pretty cynical to give the MVP to someone other than a Heat player if they take the league by storm, but somehow I feel like the odds are heavily against LeBron and Dwyane to take home the honor: 15% for LeBron and 5% for Dwyane would be my guess because one would have to clearly outplay the other beyond a reasonable doubt in order to secure enough votes to usurp the hate campaigns already in progress.

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