The moment to place season-long wagers has arrived, with the NBA 2023–2024 season less than three weeks away. One of the most noteworthy season-long picks is the one for Most Valuable Player, where LeBron James of the Lakers is favored by the oddsmakers.
With 18:1 odds (+1800), James is ranked 10th in the DraftKings sportsbook’s odds list. NBA all-time top scorer Joel Embiid, two-time MVP and current MVP of the playoffs Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, and other players lead the way.
James’ ranking on this list could be argued to be low given that, even at this point in his career, he has outperformed the vast majority of the names ahead of him statistically. For instance, on 50% shooting from the field last season, James averaged just under 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, and almost 7 assists per game.
Devin Booker, the guard for the Suns, averaged less points, rebounds, and assists on inferior efficiency, therefore these figures appear to be better than his. Nevertheless, the MVP is a prize given out based on several factors, including team performance and tenacity.
James most certainly ranks low on the list because of the latter of those requirements. Because James has missed at least 26 games in each of the previous two seasons, he is officially out of the running for MVP according to the NBA’s new end-of-season award criteria.
According to the previously noted new regulation, players must participate in at least 65 games to be considered for any significant post-season honors, such as MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and inclusion on any All-NBA teams.
James, who will turn 21 in a few months, has produced remarkably consistent work. But his health has started to deteriorate, which could mean that his MVP dreams are now out of the picture.
Nevertheless, winning a championship is the Lakers’ primary objective, so James’ decision to take a break during the regular season to tend to his injuries and prepare his aging body for a postseason run is well worth adding to the trophy case of the man who is already regarded by many as the greatest player of all time.