The race for the MVP | LeBron James, the regularity monster

NBA — Model of regularity in scoring, which will allow him to be the most prolific scorer in history, LeBron James is also in the votes for the MVP, since he has always appeared in the polls since 2003 !

For more than a decade now, Basket USA has been offering you its Top 5 candidates for the “Most Valuable Player” trophy (MVP)”. This week, to stick to the news, we decided to highlight a player who is very rarely usually: LeBron James.

On the way to becoming the new points record holder in the regular season, “LBJ” is undoubtedly the best in terms of regularity. Both statistically and in terms of individual awards because, beyond being, for example, the player who has the most seasons with at least 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists on average (20, out of 20 possible), he is above all the player who totals the most appearances in the votes for the title of MVP.

In fact, it’s very simple: since the launch of his career in 2003, LeBron James has always received at least one vote in this ballot. This therefore gives 19 appearances in the votes out of 19 possible, and this number could even climb to 20 at the end of the season, for another impressive clear round!

In detail, the “King” has finished 1st four times (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), 2nd four times (2006, 2014, 2018, 2020), 3rd three times (2011, 2015, 2016), 4th twice (2008, 2017) , once 5th (2007), once 6th (2005), once 9th (2004), once 10th (2022), once 11th (2019) and finally once 13th (2021)!

LeBron James… and the others

If he is certainly not the record holder for MVP trophies, because the six titles of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still remain unmatched, LeBron James is on the other hand the record holder for appearances in the poll (19), in the Top 10 ( 17, tied with Abdul-Jabbar) and in the Top 3 (11).

As for the Top 5, only “AND” so far doing better than “LBJ” with 15 appearances for the current regular season points record holder against 14 for the future. Additionally, the former Bucks and Lakers center has 17 MVP voting appearances and 9 podium appearances.

Behind, the competition represented by Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan or even Kobe Bryant and Bill Russell is quite far, even if they obviously have nothing to be ashamed of their accomplishments.

► Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:
– 17 times in the votes; 17 times in the Top 10; 15 times in the Top 5; 9 times in the Top 3; 6 times titled.

► Tim Duncan :
– 16 times in the votes; 13 times in the Top 10; 9 times in the Top 5; 5 times in the Top 3; 2 times titled.

► Karl Malone :
– 15 times in the votes; 14 times in the Top 10; 9 times in the Top 5; 5 times in the Top 3; 2 times titled.

► Shaquille O’Neal :
– 14 times in the votes; 13 times in the Top 10; 8 times in the Top 5; 5 times in the Top 3; 1 time titled.

► Michael Jordan :
– 13 times in the votes; 11 times in the Top 10; 10 times in the Top 5; 10 times in the Top 3; 5 times titled.

► Kobe Bryant :
– 13 times in the votes; 12 times in the Top 10; 11 times in the Top 5; 5 times in the Top 3; 1 time titled.

► Hakeem Olajuwon:
– 13 times in the votes; 10 times in the Top 10; 6 times in the Top 5; 2 times in the Top 3; 1 time titled.

► Bill Russell :
– 12 times in the votes; 12 times in the Top 10; 11 times in the Top 5; 9 times in the Top 3; 5 times titled.

► Larry Bird :
– 12 times in the votes; 11 times in the Top 10; 9 times in the Top 5; 8 times in the Top 3; 3 times titled.

► Magic Johnson :
– 12 times in the votes; 10 times in the Top 10; 9 times in the Top 5; 9 times in the Top 3; 3 times titled.

► Charles Barkley :
– 12 times in the votes; 9 times in the Top 10; 4 times in the Top 5; 2 times in the Top 3; 1 time titled.

► Dirk Nowitzki :
– 12 times in the votes; 9 times in the Top 10; 3 times in the Top 5; 3 times in the Top 3; 1 time titled.

► John Stockton :
– 12 times in the votes; 9 times in the Top 10; 3 times in the Top 5; 3 times in the Top 3; 0 times titled.

► Wilt Chamberlain :
– 11 times in the votes; 11 times in the Top 10; 10 times in the Top 5; 7 times in the Top 3; 4 times titled.

► Moses Malone :
– 11 times in the votes; 10 times in the Top 10; 5 times in the Top 5; 4 times in the Top 3; 3 times titled.

► Oscar Robertson :
– 11 times in the votes; 9 times in the Top 10; 9 times in the Top 5; 5 times in the Top 3; 1 time titled.

Giannis Antetokounmpo to watch?

About the players in activity, in addition to LeBron James of course, note the good regularity of Chris Paul, like a John Stockton in the past, as well as that of Kevin Durant.

Without forgetting Stephen Curry, James Harden or Russell Westbrook just behind, even if Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to be in the best position to considerably increase his total…

► LeBron James :
– 19 times in the votes; 17 times in the Top 10; 14 times in the Top 5; 11 times in the Top 3; 4 times titled.

► Chris Paul :
– 11 times in the votes; 10 times in the Top 10; 5 times in the Top 5; 2 times in the Top 3; 0 times titled.

► Kevin Durant :
– 10 times in the votes; 10 times in the Top 10; 6 times in the Top 5; 4 times in the Top 3; 1 time titled.

► Stephen Curry :
– 9 times in the votes; 8 times in the Top 10; 4 times in the Top 5; 3 times in the Top 3; 2 times titled.

► James Harden :
– 9 times in the votes; 8 times in the Top 10; 6 times in the Top 5; 5 times in the Top 3; 1 time titled.

► Russell Westbrook :
– 8 times in the votes; 6 times in the Top 10; 4 times in the Top 5; 1 time in the Top 3; 1 time titled.

► Giannis Antetokounmpo :
– 6 times in the votes; 6 times in the Top 10; 4 times in the Top 5; 3 times in the Top 3; 2 times titled.

► Kawhi Leonard :
– 6 times in the votes; 5 times in the Top 10; 3 times in the Top 5; 2 times in the Top 3; 0 times titled.

► Damian Lillard :
– 5 times in the votes; 5 times in the Top 10; 1 time in the Top 5; 0 times in the Top 3; 0 times titled.

2023 MVP RACE: OUR TOP 5

1 – Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
With: 37 wins, 17 losses – 1st in the West.
Matches: 46 disputed out of 54 possible.
Stats : 24.8 sts, 11.3 reb, 10.1 sc, 1.3 int, 0.7 ctr and 3.6 sc in 34 min.
Percentages: 63% on shots, 39% at 3-pts and 83% on throws.

2 – Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
With: 37 wins, 17 losses – 2nd in the East.
Matches: 43 disputed out of 50 possible.
Stats : 32.2 sts, 12.4 reb, 5.3 sc, 0.8 int, 0.8 ctr and 4.0 sc in 33 min.
Percentages: 54% on shots, 27% at 3-pts and 65% on throws.

3 – Joel Embiid (Sixers)
With: 34 wins, 18 losses – 3rd in the East.
Matches: 40 disputed out of 52 possible.
Stats : 33.4 sts, 10.2 reb, 4.1 sc, 1.1 int, 1.6 ctr and 3.7 sc in 35 min.
Percentages: 53% on shots, 36% at 3-pts and 86% on throws.

4 – Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
With: 38 wins, 16 losses – 1st in the East.
Matches: 51 disputed out of 54 possible.
Stats : 30.9 sts, 8.7 reb, 4.5 sc, 1.0 int, 0.7 ctr et 2.8 sc in 37 min.
Percentages: 46% on shots, 36% at 3-pts and 87% on throws.

5 – Luka Doncic (Mavericks)
With: 29 wins, 26 losses – 5th in the West.
Matches: 47 disputed out of 55 possible.
Stats : 33.4 sts, 8.9 reb, 8.2 sc, 1.5 int, 0.5 ctr and 3.6 sc in 37 min.
Percentages: 50% on shots, 35% on 3-pts and 73% on throws.

Mentions : Kevin Durant (Nets), Ja Morant (Grizzlies), Domantas Sabonis (Kings), Stephen Curry (Warriors)…