The fast start of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has caught the eye of Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who took to social media to predict that the veteran will win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award if he can keep up his current level of production.
LeBron this season is averaging 25 points & 11.1 assists making him #1 in assists. If he continues at this pace he will definitely be the league MVP this season! No one is playing better than him & what’s scary is his story is still being written!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 20, 2019
Johnson played a central role in recruiting James to sign with the Lakers as a free agent last year. However, following a disappointing season in which James was limited to just 55 games because of injury, Johnson left his role as the team’s president of basketball operations.
The success enjoyed by James in the Lakers’ first 14 games, coupled with the addition of superstar Anthony Davis, has allowed the team to start the 2019-20 season with a 12-2 record. That’s currently the best record in the NBA and is a pace that puts the Lakers in prime position to reach the postseason for the first time since 2013.
James’ 11.1 assist-per-game average is the most prominent difference in his game this season, since his career average in that category is just 7.3 per game. His previous high in this department came two years ago during his final season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he averaged 9.1 assists per contest.
In addition to the 25.0 points per game that James is averaging, he’s also contributing on the boards and on defense. In those areas, he’s hauling down an average of 7.9 rebounds per game and has a 1.3 average per contest when it comes to steals.
The 34-year-old James has previously won four MVP awards, the last two times coming in consecutive seasons in 2012 and 2013. Both James and fans of the Lakers are hoping that’s a good omen, since his team at that time, the Miami Heat, won the league title in both those years. James was also named Finals MVP at the end of both of those series.
