Los Angeles Lakers legend and former team president Magic Johnson has given his two cents worth on the MVP debate between LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Unsurprisingly, Magic is going with LeBron, a player who he himself recruited to LA in 2018, as the clear winner. Johnson detailed his argument to Rachel Nichols in a recent episode of ESPN's “The Jump.”
“LeBron affects the game in so many different ways, and this year he's almost averaging a triple-double,” Magic Johnson started. “And when you think about the way he's played defense, and last but not least, the way he's been an incredible leader. He has really brought those guys together and kept them going. LeBron himself also is on a mission. He wants to show people that he can go from Cleveland to the Lakers and win a championship, and especially with all the history that the Lakers have. I think LeBron has played unbelievable this season, and really took Anthony Davis' game to a whole ‘nother level. I'm really impressed with LeBron.”
Johnson was able to provide a handful of compelling reasons in his statement, and we can't say that he's wrong. We earlier did a piece on how LeBron might be able to upset Giannis as this season's MVP, and Magic's argument here further adds credibility to this claim.
Then again, the Lakers legend acknowledged that Antetokounmpo still remains to be the front-runner. However, he is still standing pat about LeBron getting his vote.
“Giannis, no question, he's having an incredible season. It wouldn't surprise me if he was named the MVP,” Johnson added. “But LeBron James in my mind has defintiely won the MVP — in my mind.”
Nichols' interview with Magic also included two other NBA greats in Tracy McGrady and Scottie Pippen, and they all engaged in a very interesting argument about who should win this year's MVP. In the end, they all agreed that perhaps it would be best to split the award among these two deserving stars.
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