Levi Johnson
You have to look all the way back to 2002 to find a Lebron James-less NBA. In his illustrious 17 seasons thus far, Lebron has won three NBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, made eight consecutive finals appearances, countless All-Star and All-NBA selections, holds numerous NBA records and eight Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. At age 35, playing for a powerhouse Lakers team, Lebron is poised to add a fifth MVP to his tally. Currently, he sits second in the 2020 MVP race behind budding superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and this is Lebron’s case for one last MVP. Statistically, Lebron is having a great season, but not quite on par with his monumental 2018 season where he dragged an underwhelming Cavs team to the Finals or his physical 2013 season with the Heat. Despite this, he is averaging a career high in assists and leading the league in assists. This year,he has taken on the role of facilitator and seems content to feed Anthony Davis, Danny Green and company with dime after dime. Just when critics say he is past his physical prime, he decides to facilitate and show what an all-time great passer he can be. And it’s not like he’s neglecting other aspects of his game, since he is still averaging 25 points and almost eight rebounds. He has been maintaining these numbers without taking games off to manage his load like his fellow superstar Kawhi Leonard.
In 2020 Lebron is not the 18-year-old kid thrust into the national spotlight on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He is an aging superstar pushing the limits of what time will allow. Sports analysts are already predicting a cliff in the near future. If so, this season may be his last chance to win/make up for years he was snubbed. He has dragged pathetic Cavs teams to multiple Finals appearances without MVP recognition. He lost out to Westbrook in 2017 and Harden in 2018, two years where he was clearly the best player in the world. What he’s doing is unheard of at this age, especially this deep into an NBA career. Lebron isn’t getting any younger so this may be his last chance at being named the league’s most valuable player.
The MVP usually goes to the best player on the best team and although the Bucks have the best record, they aren’t a better team than Lebron’s Lakers. The Bucks won the first of the teams’ two regular season meetings but if they were to meet in a seven-game series I would be hard pressed to pick the Bucks. Giannis is a one man wrecking crew but outside of Kris Middleton he doesn’t have a lot of help. The loss of Malcom Brogdon to the Pacers hasn’t improved their team. They must rely on contributions from the Eric Bledsoes, Klye Korver and Brook Lopezes of the world. Meanwhile the Lakers added Davis, Green, McGee and Howard in the offseason making them one of the tallest and best defensive teams in the league. Head-to-head the Bucks don’t have an advantage and the Lakers would likely be favored in a playoff matchup. Furthermore, the Bucks may have the best record in the league, but they are in the weaker Eastern Conference. The Lakers are six wins back in the much tougher Western conference. The Lakers are the best team in the NBA and their best player is one Lebron James. Lebron’s league best Lakers combined with the fact he’s leading the NBA in assists and still dominant at age 35 is why he deserves the 2020 MVP.