8. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
STATS: 26.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 7.8 apg, 1.4 spg, 2.0 3PTs, 51.1 FG%
It’s strange to see LeBron James this low on a Most Valuable Player ranking, but the Los Angeles Lakers are currently in the Western Conference’s 10th seed and missing the playoffs is a realistic concern at this point.
The Lakers are three games back from the eighth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers and one game behind the Sacramento Kings, who are playing well and determined to end their 12- season playoff drought.
If we’re being honest, James lost his shot at winning this year’s MVP award when he got injured during the Lakers’ Christmas Day game against the Golden State Warriors. While his stats have been impressive, as usual, he’s only played in 43 contests this season.
Had James stayed healthy and kept the Lakers in the West’s fourth or fifth seed, perhaps he’d still be in the mix. However, that didn’t happen and this year’s field is too strong for James to receive serious consideration now.
Awards, Top, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Paul George, Stephen Curry, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors
