The NBA MVP award usually goes to the best statistical player from a team that has at least a top-three seed. You need to not only be seen as superior statistically to most of the league but you must also will your team to a high-ranking playoff berth. You can have a great season statistically but have your team finish ninth in the conference and that player would be ineligible. It was looking that way for Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who is having a season statistically that is on par with just about anyone, but his team was lacking in the standings.

Likewise, while Devin Booker might have the best team in the NBA (Phoenix Suns) and he is definitely one of their best players, but he's just not superior statistically to the other guards in his conference. So, you have got to have both–the stats and the wins–in order to get your name into the conversation. From that point, “narrative” comes into play, but for now, we are still in the decision phase of which players qualify and which do not in the eyes of the voters. LeBron was asked about the subject on Thursday and had this to say:

“I think when you are placed in the MVP conversation, that means that your team is winning games and you’re playing at a level that’s helping them win games. So, if my name starts to be in the MVP discussion, then I’m happy about it in the sense that it means the Lakers are winning basketball games. And that’s what I want. That’s all I care about. I know what I bring to the table every night. I know what I’m capable of doing every night, but I want that to result in wins, and that’s just always been my mindset in this league.” -LeBron James

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