The LeBron James MVP campaign is off and running.
James poured in 37 points Thursday night to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Charlotte Hornets 116-105 for their fourth win in a row. Afterward, the MVP award was a big topic of conversation during the Lakers’ postgame media sessions, with the four-time winner saying he should have more and his coach and teammates making a case for him to claim a fifth this season.
“I should have more than four, I believe,” James said. “But I don’t, and I don’t sit around thinking about it or crying about it or whatever the case may be.
“I bet a lot of the greatest that played this game feel like they should’ve had more as well if you ask any one of those guys.”
James took home the award in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013. He is one of five players in NBA history to win four MVPs, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan (5), Bill Russell (5), and Wilt Chamberlain (4).
James didn’t shy away from discussing what a fifth MVP would mean, especially in his 18th season. At 36, he would be the oldest MVP in league history.
“It means something, for sure,” he said. “I’m not going to sit here and say it doesn’t mean anything to me. To be able to win it a few times in my career’s always been exceptional.
James is averaging 25.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists this season while shooting 51.4% from the field and 36.7% from the 3-point range. The Lakers have been without the injured Anthony Davis since mid-February, and after some initial struggles, James has helped Los Angeles weather Davis’ absence well. The Lakers moved back into second place in the Western Conference with Thursday’s win.
