This week, LeBron admitted that just maybe, there are other things more important than his own individual talents.
Can you believe it? The NBA's 26-year-old poster child is growing up before our eyes.
LeBron admitted this week that he wasn't a contender to win the league's MVP award this spring, nor was anyone else on the Miami Heat's star-studded roster. As quoted by Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com:
"When we decided to come together, our Most Valuable Player chances kind of went out the window," James said. "I think they classify it as an individual award. They look at it like the less help you have, the more numbers you have, then the better chance for you to win that award."
James is absolutely right — and what's more, he's revealed something very telling about his character as a basketball player. He's starting to realize that it's about more than just himself.
King James racked up back-to-back MVP trophies in 2009 and 2010 by piling up numbers with brute force. He averaged over 28 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in both years. We began to hear speculation about the return of the Oscar Robertson-esque triple-double season. But he never won a thing during his seven years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, because he didn't have the support he needed.
Now that he has the support, he's entered a new stage in his career. It's not about the individual honors — it's about winning.
We've seen 12 MVP trophies handed out since Michael Jordan ended his dynastic run in 1998. Of those 12, only two went to players who would win championships that year — Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan. Shaq won his only MVP in 2000; Duncan has only won two.
The vast majority of MVP winners are the ones who compile massive statistical seasons for good, but not necessarily great teams. LeBron used to be one of those guys, but he's ready to shed that perception. He's entering the prime of his career, and he knows it's time to be a winner.
LeBron's numbers this season have been good, but not outstanding by any means — 24.8 points, 7.3 assists and 6.8 boards per game. He's still one of the game's elite players, but he doesn't need the hardware to prove it. He might win something this spring, but it won't be another MVP. At this point in his career, he appears to be fine with that.
Is LeBron James now more concerned about winning an NBA title than anything else? Share your thoughts below.
