Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers grabs a rebound in front of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center on January 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—The NBA way be in hiatus due to COVID-19 but that doesn’t mean the league isn’t rife with scenarios aiming to become talking points.
If the world wasn’t in the middle of the pandemic, the Playoffs would’ve been in full swing by now and the MVP conversation could’ve been one of the major topics of debate.
And for All-Star Damian Lillard, this season’s MVP is none other than LeBron James.
Lillard said in an interview with ESPN that he believes the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar deserves to have his hand on the league’s top individual prize considering the body of work James had done in his 17th season in the NBA.
“Personally, I think this season it’s LeBron,” said Lillard. “In my opinion he’s the MVP. His team is no.1 in the West, he leads the league in assists, and he’s averaging 25, 26 [points] a game. That’s super impressive man.”
James is a contender to oust reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks in the race, but both players have an immense track record this season.
Antetokounmpo’s Bucks, who play in the Eastern Conference, have the league’s best record at 53-12 while James’ Lakers top the West at 49-14.
The Greek Freak also has a better win share than James, 10.4 to 9.5, according to Basketball Reference.
Lillard, however, argued that James at 35-years-old remains one of the best players in the league.
James is also averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and a league-best 10.6 assists while Antetokounmpo puts up 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.
“They’ve been consistent all year long and for him to be on the age he’s at with the amount of miles he’s had on his body, how often he’s talked about, the pressure they put on him for every little thing that he does, and the level he’s performing,” said Lillard. “He’s the MVP of the league.”
If James does win the MVP in the 2019-20 season, it would be his fifth and he’d tie Michael Jordan and Bill Russell for second-most all-time behind six-time winner Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.