Cavaliers Gamble On James Pays Off With NBA MVP Award

Last year it was Kobe Bryant who broke through and finally won an NBA MVP award. After being considered the best player in the game for several years, Bryant finally had justification for that title.

Now, one year after Bryant won the award, there is a new king in town. LeBron James is set to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player this afternoon, and James is marking the occasion with a news conference at his hometown high school.

All year it has been a three way race for the MVP between James, Bryant, and fellow Olympic gold medalist Dwyane Wade. Wade was the flashiest of the three players, Bryant the most steady, but there is no doubt that James was the most dynamic.

He took the best qualities of the other two candidates and combined a will that carried the Cleveland Cavaliers to the best record in the NBA. It was a battle that the Cavs had been engaged in all year with the Lakers.

Bryant got the better of James in their head to head meetings, but was overshadowed by Wade in their head to head endeavors this season. James outplayed Wade head to head, so the circle really did not give an indication as to which player stood above the rest.

The goal of Bryant this year is an NBA Championship. He most likely could have won the MVP award had he scored at a greater rate, but the ultimate goal seemed more important to him at this stage in his career.

Wade was phenomenal, a highlight reel on an almost nightly basis, but when your team plays almost .500 basketball, it does not bode well for your MVP chances.

That left James. Team and individual dominance combined helped him to the top of the MVP race. Who knows, James and Bryant may even get a chance to dispute the outcome of the MVP voting on the court if the two should meet for the NBA title.

May 4, 2009
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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