Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – LeBron James could take the Los Angeles Lakers away from the NBA Finals with just three wins, but he has reason to be unhappy.
Ahead of the Lakers ‘1-1 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 126 to book tickets to the Western Conference Finals, the league announced MVP’s vote for the 2019-20 season on Friday, and came second behind James Milve B Key Bucks’ Giannis Anteatok MP Nmpo.
It was the fourth time in his 17-year career that he ended up as a runner-up for the Lakers’ Star League’s most prestigious individual award, largely joined by Jerry West and Larry Bird.
“I missed. This is my correct answer,” James said after pumping 15 points with 12 assists in the series opener. “He missed me, because out of 101 votes, I got 16 first-place votes. That’s what I missed more than anything.
“You know, saying the winner didn’t qualify for MVP. But he missed me. And I finished second four times in my career, out of the championship, and now as MVP.”
James broke his NBA Finals record of 3-. Was referring to the winning percentage which is often raised as the first thing that separates him and Michael Jordan, who was 6-0 in the championship round.
It was the second place closest to James, with 209 MVP polling points separating him and Antetocompo. In 2017-18, he is 227 points behind James Harden. In 2005-06, he was 236 points behind Steve Nash. And in 2013-14 he was 341 points behind Kevin Durant.
James, 35, has won League MVP honors four times in his career (2009, ’10, ’12, ’13).
“I’ve never been to this league to be an MVP or a champion,” James said. “I always wanted to get better and better every day, and those things would take care of it. But some things are just out of my hands and some things you can’t control. But it makes me angry.”
James focused on the indefinite criteria for the award, which leaves a vote for interpretation. The NBA’s annual awards are voted on by a global panel of 100 media members of print and broadcast journalism plus one fan vote.
“I don’t know how much we’re really watching the game,” James said loudly about the panel.
“I’m not going to sit here and talk about what the criteria should be or what it is. It’s changed over the years since I got into the league,” he said. “Sometimes he’s the best player on the best team. Sometimes he’s statistically the best person of the season. Sometimes … I mean, you don’t know. You don’t know. But you know, Giants had a hell of a season; I can say for sure. Am. “
The 25-year-old Antelope MP won his second straight MVP, in the same fashion as James’ first two MVPs: his team led the league in a regular-season win but went out on a playoff.
Antatook Numpo was also voted Defensive Player of the Year this season, joining Jordan (1987-88) and Hakim Olajuwon (1993-94) as award winners in the same season and the only MVP player.
James was second only to Mark Gasol for Defensive Player of the Year in 2011-13-1 – the year James won his fourth MVP – and he said he would still scare him.
James said, “I had the opportunity to be the Defensive Player of the Year and also the MVP that same season.” And that year Gasol was the Defensive Player of the Year, but he made the other team’s all-defense, right. So that doesn’t make sense. It’s like being the MVP of the league, but you make the All-NBA in another team. That’s when I really started seeing different things like that. If I was like, how does that make sense? “
Surprisingly, James’s teammates took his case for the award even after the game.
“He deserves it,” Anthony Davis said. “What he’s been able to do for our team, the things he’s been doing individually, on a constant basis, night, night out, it’s not just a question of who deserves it.”
The numbers back up Davis’ support. LA was a plus-173 in 862 minutes with James without Davis in the regular season. ESPN According to research on statistics and information, J.M.S. Except on 677 minutes L.A. Played on court with Davis, Lakers minus 20.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel also advocated for James.
He said, “You guys all know how I feel about it.” “For me, he’s the league’s MVP this year. Giannis has no disrespect. Giannis had a season. He’s a great player. What LeBron does for my team is unparalleled.”
Before concluding his thoughts on the subject, James made it clear that his overall focus is on the Lakers’ team success.
“I mean, I’m fine. Don’t bend it,” James said. “I’m fine. We’re tied 1-0 in the Western Conference final. I’m fine. So don’t do that – I missed seeing the reaction when I first saw it. I’m great. Right now. I’m going back to my room. , Drink some wine and sleep very well tonight. Let’s not turn it down. I’m great. Only the turnout is a little weird. “
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