The MVP award is always hotly contested, and this season’s race is an excellent example of that. Nikola Jokic, the man who won the MVP last season, is now expected to reclaim the award after another statistically incredible season with the Denver Nuggets. And while some feel Joel Embiid or Giannis Antetokounmpo deserve it more, it seems LeBron James feels he could’ve won it last season.
LeBron was right in the fight for the scoring title this season and had a super impressive campaign of his own, but the Lakers missing out on even the play-in tournament has killed any talk of him bagging the MVP. James has claimed in his exit interview on Monday though, that he was the MVP in 2020-21, at least before he injured his ankle and missed several games.
LeBron claims he was the "MVP of the season" last year before he sprained his ankle.
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 11, 2022
“LeBron claims he was the “MVP of the season” last year before he sprained his ankle.”
James was able to play just 45 games last season and missed a majority of them towards the business end of the season after unfortunately picking up an ankle sprain. The Lakers were the 7th seed and made it to the first round of the playoffs before they succumbed to the Suns. He averaged 25 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game and the Lakers went 12-12 when they played without him.
Whether he would have been able to keep pace with Nikola Jokic is a question mark, but the 27 missed games certainly had a very real impact on any case LeBron had to claim the MVP last season.
There have been some shouts for James to win the award this season, but the fact that the Lakers finished the season with nearly 50 losses means that’s never going to happen. If the franchise can sort itself out though, and James can keep up his incredible output despite his age, another charge for the award next season can’t be ruled out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1PhFb9xq6s
