Four-time winner likely to miss out after KD has impressive season.
Miami Heat star LeBron James has insisted that Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant deserves the MVP award this season.
It is understood that Durant will likely be announced the winner this week and James has lauded his friend’s play throughout the year several times and did so again on Monday.
“Much respect to him and he deserves it,” James said, as reported by ESPN. “He had a big-time MVP season.”
James has won the award the past two seasons and four of the past five with Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose stopping the run in 2011.
However, despite another impressive season which arguably fell short of his own high standards, James has conceded that Durant is more deserving of the award this time round and will likely have to settle for second place in the voting.
Nevertheless, James and the Heat remain on course to secure a three-peat of NBA championships having advanced beyond the Charlotte Bobcats in their opening round playoff series with a 4-0 win.
The defending champions prepare to face the Brooklyn Nets in the next round, and having suffered a series sweep in the regular season, they will be fully aware of the task that awaits them.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City had their own troubles in the first round with a 4-3 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, although Durant did suffer from a dip in efficiency which led to criticism in the local media.
However, having now advanced they already trail the Los Angeles Clippers after losing at home on Monday night in Game 1, with Durant now having to earn his stripes again in the post-season.
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