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The NBA is back and with it are Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson's famed tweets. However, this isn't the typical final score update from your favorite Hall of Famer. Rather, it's a hot take regarding the NBA Awards.
Johnson, predictably so, picked LeBron James as the Most Valuable Player. The Lakers lifer listed the stats, per usual, and even gave James' defense a major vote of confidence along with his leadership.
LeBron James is definitely the MVP this season. He is almost averaging a triple double with 25 points, 10 assists, and basically 8 rebounds per game. His defense has been amazing and there is no better leader in sports!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 21, 2020
So far, the debate has been between James and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, who was far and away the frontrunner coming into the All-Star break.
For others, there isn't even room for debate:
There’s no MVP debate. It’s Giannis, period! https://t.co/gfpsu2zq6j
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 21, 2020
All the awards will be judged up to what players have done until March 11, when the season first came to a halt. James leads the league in assists with a career-best 10.6 dimes per game while Antetokounmpo is third in scoring (29.6 points per game) and rebounding (13.6).
Magic also chimed in on other awards, which was yet another Laker-palooza — including Anthony Davis for Defensive Player of the Year and former Lakers talent Brandon Ingram as the Most Improved Player.
The Memphis Grizzlies, who are the Lakers' likely first-round playoff matchup, walked away with two awards as Ja Morant grabbed Rookie of the Year honors and Taylor Jenkins became the first rookie coach since Steve Kerr (2014-15) to win Coach of the Year.
The Grizzlies’ Ja Morant for Rookie of the Year…not even close. Defensive Player of the Year is the Lakers’ Anthony Davis. Coach of the Year is the Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins and the Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram is Most Improved Player.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 21, 2020
These are all safe options, but Magic Johnson sure doesn't run away from homer-ism when it comes to awards.
Luckily for NBA fans, he doesn't have a media vote to determine who winds up with the hardware, as there's a lot more than optics that go into choosing the worthy candidate.
