LC
Years ago
And the King is crowned...
LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been named as the 2008/09 NBA Most Valuable Player in his 6th NBA season.
NBA Link: http://linky.com.au/212u3
ESPN Link: http://linky.com.au/4qu5j
The Cleveland Cavaliers star won what some expected to be a close vote in a slam dunk. He received 109 of a possible 121 first-place votes to easily outdistance Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers. James totaled 1,172 points in balloting by media members in the U.S. and Canada.
Bryant, last year's winner, got two first-place votes and finished with 698 points. Miami guard Dwyane Wade was third with 680 points and was named first on seven ballots. Orlando center Dwight Howard (328) was fourth followed by New Orleans guard Chris Paul (192).
James is the first Cavaliers player to win the award. He averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season, his sixth as a pro. He also finished second in voting for defensive player of the year, making him perhaps the league's most dominant two-way player since Michael Jordan.
Kings Of The Court
LeBron James became the seventh player since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976 to earn rookie of the year and MVP honors in a career. Here's a look at his prestigious company:
ROY MVPs
LeBron James 2004 1
Tim Duncan 1998 2
Allen Iverson 1997 1
Shaquille O'Neal 1993 1
David Robinson 1990 1
Michael Jordan 1985 5
Larry Bird 1980 3