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On Nov. 9th, the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a hard-fought loss in Houston to the Rockets, which forced their record to fall to 5-7 ( including six losses in their last eight games). However, since then, the defending East champions have been on a hot streak, winning 19 of their next 21 games including a 14-game win streak.
Also read: Ranking the Greatest MVP Seasons ever
The last month and a half have been happy times for the Cavaliers. They've brushed aside their initial struggles, thus silencing the critics and haters. More importantly, there have been plenty of positives during this time span - injured players making their return (Tristan Thompson, Isaiah Thomas practising in the G-League) and the team being able to not only handle themselves but make runs when LeBron James is on the bench.
However, just like any other year of his career, the biggest reason for his team's success is James. His stellar play in the 15th season of his career has changed the narrative and forced everybody to consider him a serious MVP candidate.
But that's putting it too easily. Here are five reasons why James is the 2017-18 MVP so far:
#5 Recording career-highs
How many legends, future Hall of Famers of the game have recorded a career-high in a meaningful stat in their 15th year in the league?
Through 33 games of the current season, James is averaging career-highs in assists (9.2), blocks (1.1), FG% (57.0%), 3-PT FG% (41.1%) and FT% (78.5%). That's five categories that have a positive impact on the team's chances of winning each night.
The numbers in each of these categories are insane and not to be taken for granted. Here's why - he is a shooting a career-best percentage despite the attempted field goals (including 3's) not seeing a dip. In fact, his attempted field goals have marginally increased.
And about the dimes and swats, it's amazing that James is recording those in a league that loves to play an up-tempo style of basketball. The vertical leap and physical athleticism of players in the 15th season usually takes a step back. But we all know that James isn't human so it shouldn't be too surprising.
#4 Still improving
Russell Westbrook won the league MVP award last season, Stephen Curry won it twice before that and Kevin Durant gave the emotional acceptance speech when he won it in 2014. James hasn't been named league MVP for the past four seasons but we all know that he has been the best player in the league not just for that time span but for the last decade or so.
But everybody has faults, right? Till last year, the case against James was still not having a reliable long-range jumper and his free-throw shooting. James even took care of that by adjusting his shooting motion in the 15th offseason of his career and this was done without any shooting coach. Yes, he made the change all by himself and the results are there to be seen.
When you are as dominant and successful as James is, you are bound to have haters. The other argument was "can he do it without Kyrie".
With Isaiah Thomas yet to make his return, James has played this season without a dominant No. 2 on the team but looks like he never needed it in the first place because the results speak for themselves.
#3 Carrying team despite the mileage on his body
As of right now, James has played 51,631 minutes (regular season + Playoffs), that's good for 16th all-time and although this is his 15th season in the league, he's only 32 years old (set to turn 33 in a week). Add to that, he's made to seven consecutive Finals and could continue that streak in June of 2018, only four players have more (all from the Boston Celtics of 1960's).
Now to this season. James is leading the league in minutes played with 1232 in 33 games. If that isn't enough, with all that mileage on his body, he's leading the league in Player Efficiency Rating (31.4) as well. Among players who average at least 20 minutes of playing time this season, he ranks 10th in the league in terms of usage.
The Cavaliers' second unit has been the best since James returned to the team in 2014 but the roster is still very shorthanded. Thomas, who was out so far, is close to returning but has yet to play a game, Iman Shumpert will only return in mid-January, Tristan Thompson was out for about a month of the season so far. Derrick Rose hasn't played for about a month, dealing with his ankle sprain and off-court issues.
#2 Who's the competition?
Unlike last year, this season's MVP race is quite bleak. It's basically two men separating themselves from the field - James and James Harden. Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo got a lot of attention early on but the team's comparatively sub-par record of 17-13 has slowed down his MVP case.
James Harden: The Beard leads the league in points (31.9) and is third in assists (9.0) while leading the Rockets to a league-leading 25-5 record. LeBron isn't that far behind in terms of points (28.4), assists (9.2) and team record (24-9).
And while Harden has been racking one MVP worthy season after another, LeBron could have been awarded the MVP every one of the last ten years. The MVP award is all about the narrative and despite everything the Beard is doing, it's difficult to beat what James is doing at the age of 32 (soon to be 33) in his 15th season in the league.
#1 It's about time
As mentioned earlier, James could have gotten the award each of the last 10 years. The only year he definitely wasn't in contention was when Stephen Curry earned the league's first-ever unanimous MVP award in 2016. Unfortunately, voter fatigue has allowed other superstars in the league to get their due.
It's been four seasons since James was last named MVP. Every year since then, the pundits have predicted his downfall but The King has consistently proved them wrong. In the current scheme of things, there isn't a player or the narrative of any player that can beat what James is doing on the court.
Guess the Lakers players!
