By most accounts, it’s a two-horse race between LeBron James and Kevin Durant for this season’s NBA MVP award, although James has to be considered the favorite. Durant himself, humble as ever, acknowledged that it's James who deserves the honor.
“He deserves all the love (for MVP),” Durant said, per The Oklahoman. “He's playing phenomenal basketball. I'm just trying to get better every single game and trying to help my team as much as I can. I'm just blessed to be in that conversation.”
James is averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists while shooting 53.1 percent from the field, and is even a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, The Oklahoman notes. Also, the Heat have been without James’ co-star, Dwyane Wade, for 15 of their 64 games so far this season.
Durant, meanwhile, holds a razor-thin lead over Kobe Bryant for the league’s scoring title, with a 27.9 points per game average on 49.7 shooting. He’s also averaging eight rebounds and 3.5 assists.
James and Durant have split their head-to-head matchups this season, with Durant scoring 28 points to James’ 17 in the Thunder’s win in Oklahoma City on March 25, and James scoring 34 points to Durant’s 30 in the Heat’s win in Miami in April 4.
“I don’t get involved in saying if I’m the MVP or not," James said, according to Fox Sports' Chris Tomasson. “We’ll see. We got a few games left. ... Just to be in the race, to hear my name in the race with KD and some of the other great athletes, some of the great athletes we have in the league, is very humbling."
Per Tomasson, Heat forward Shane Battier said of James, “His body of work of work speaks for itself. Historically, his numbers are on par with the all-time greats. It’s really a no-brainer, if there’s a question. Durant’s had a phenomenal year, and they’ve played great. But I just think LeBron has had a special, special season."
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