Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has been considered the best player in the world for arguably over a decade now. Still, The King only has four career MVP awards to his name.
James is currently in the conversation to win this season's MVP and was asked about what being the MVP means. The 4-time NBA champion gave a pretty blunt response, saying that's what he strives to do every night for the Lakers. Nonetheless, James did admit “it would mean a lot” if he won his 5th Maurice Podoloff Trophy at this stage of his career. He also believes he should have more MVP awards in his trophy case.
Via Mike Trudell of Spectrum Sports Net:
LeBron asked about MVP: “The MVP, I try to be that every night for my ballclub. Being available to them, and being the best player on the floor every night."
On this year: "It would mean a lot. At my age, what I’ve been able to do this season…"
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 19, 2021
LeBron was asked what he thought about having four career MVP’s.
He said he thinks he “should have more than four,” but acknowledged that many of the greats probably feel they should have more than they do.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 19, 2021
It's definitely insane to think that LeBron James only has four MVPs and the last one came eight years ago. Majority of NBA fans would probably say James has been the undisputed best player within that span.
Superstars such as Stephen Curry or Giannis Antetokounmpo have tried to take that crown away from The King. For a while, they did make their respective cases. But James has proven that MVP trophy or not, he still sits on his throne as the best player in the world by leading the Lakers to the NBA championship last season.
Still, the MVP award, which is voted by the media, has somewhat of a vague criteria and a portion of it is driven by narrative. The award also doesn't necessarily mean “best player,” otherwise, James should probably have the last 10 or so MVP trophies by now.
A few more MVPs could have made James' resume a little more decorated than it already is. Based on his statement, he would have wanted to win at least a couple more. Nonetheless, if he James doesn't add to his current count of four by the time he hangs 'em up for good, this would not affect his legacy at all.