The best player in the game entered an even higher class on Sunday.
The NBA named LeBron James the league’s MVP for the fourth time in his career. He is now just the fifth player with at least four MVP awards, joining a club that includes Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
James also tied Shaquille O’Neal’s record (1999-2000 season) for most first-place votes with 120 of 121, coming up just one vote shy of being the first player ever to receive a unanimous selection.
James ended the 2012-2013 regular season with averages of 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists. He also shot a career-high 56 percent from the field.
Of course, along with the incredible individual numbers, the Heat’s team achievements played a major part in the decision. Led by James, Miami won a league-high 66 games this season, including 27 in a row, which ranks as the second longest winning streak in NBA history.
James has long said he wants to be known as the greatest player in NBA history and to reach such a level, he’ll have to rack up more championships. His team certainly has a good chance to win another this season as the East’s No. 1 seed and they’ll continue their quest for a repeat title on Monday when they take on the Chicago Bulls in game one of the Eastern semifinals.
(270)