Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James received very little respect from ESPN’s panel of experts in a preseason prediction poll for the 2021-22 NBA MVP award.
1. Kevin Durant | Brooklyn Nets: 45 points (38.9% first-place votes)
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks: 38 points (33.3% first-place votes)
3. Luka Doncic | Dallas Mavericks: 35 points (16.7% first-place votes)
4. Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers: 14 points (5.6% first-place votes)
5. James Harden | Brooklyn Nets: 11 points (5.6% first-place votes)
6. Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors: 10 points
7. LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers: 7 points
Others receiving votes: Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis.
James finished seventh in the poll and did not receive any first-place votes. Players like Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic earned the majority of the first-place votes in the poll.
Two members of the Brooklyn Nets’ Big 3 finished ahead of James. In addition to Durant, James Harden topped the Lakers superstar in the voting.
James is hoping that his Lakers’ new Big 3 will be able to compete with Brooklyn’s trio in the upcoming campaign. One thing is for sure: James has no shortage of motivation for the 2021-22 season.
The 36-year-old has been disrespected countless times throughout the offseason. He’ll surely be looking to prove the naysayers wrong throughout the year.
The 17-time All-Star is looking for his fifth NBA title.
