MVP or not, LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world
BOSTON – LeBron James isn’t among the three finalists for the NBA’s 2016-17 MVP award.
But, is there any doubt he's the best basketball player in the world?
None.
James continued his playoff brilliance in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 130-86 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals Friday night with 30 points, seven assists, four rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots.
He made 12 of his 18 shots, including 4-for-6 on three-pointers. In less than three quarters, James – and whoever else was on the court with him – outscored the Celtics by 45 points.
James scored at least 30 points in a playoff game for the eighth consecutive time, and after 10 games this postseason, he's averaging 34.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.5 blocks and shooting 56.9% from the field and 45.8% on three-pointers.
When he's on the court, the Cavs score 121 points per 100 possessions and allow just 101, according to NBA.com/stats.
James has put together amazing playoff runs – carried his team in a series, won games at the buzzer, dominated opponents on both ends of the floor from start to finish.
“We've been having this talk for a long time now, but he's playing at an unbelievable level and he's really setting the tone early for us in the games,” Cavs coach Ty Lue said. “When we're getting stops defensively and we're guarding the way we've been guarding, he's able to get out in transition and get to the basket. And when he's making his three-point shot, you're in for a long night.”
These might be the most dominant playoffs of his career, though James won’t compare.
“I'm a guy who lives in the moment,” said James, who loves that statement right now.
In the second quarter, Cleveland outscored Boston 40-13, and James had 17 points (7-for-10 shooting), two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. A 32-18 lead at the start of the quarter grew to 40-20, then 53-22, 66-26 and finally, 72-31 at halftime. James led an impressive and stunning display of offense and defense.
A Celtics fan sitting behind reporters said, “He’s got the whole package mentally and physically. Just like Tom Brady.”
Celtics coach Brad Stevens understands well what kind of challenge James and the Cavaliers can present.
“You have to realize that they're outstanding,” Stevens said before Game 2. “They put you in a bad matchup almost every time down the floor, and they're great at it. LeBron is great at finding the matchup he wants. He's great at recognizing when (Kevin) Love has the matchup that they want. He's great at recognizing when (Kyrie) Irving has a matchup or bringing a screener up that they want to bring up. That's what makes it really difficult.”
If you want to bridge James’ 2016 and 2017 playoffs – from Game 5 of last season’s NBA Finals through Game 2 of this season’s conference finals – the Cavs are 13-0, and James has had at least 30 points in 12 of those games. Two triple-doubles and six double-doubles are included in that stretch.
PHOTOS: LeBron James through the years
At age 32, James is headed for his seventh consecutive Finals appearance and seeking his fourth title, and even though the Golden State Warriors are sweeping through the Western Conference competition, if there’s one team who could beat them, it’s the James-led Cavaliers.
“We can get better,” he said. “That's the positive for our ballclub. There's no complacency with us right now. There shouldn't be. It's the postseason. But we like where we're headed and the direction we're headed right now.”
If James was irritated about his absence from the MVP finalists lists, he didn’t show it. His teammates were dismayed.
“He’s not in the top three? Who’s the top three?” J.R. Smith said. “It almost like when (Michael) Jordan was playing, he could have won it every year. They wanted to give it to somebody else. It’s fine. Another chip on his shoulder, which helps us.”
James brushed it off.
“What are you going to do about it at the end of the day?” James said. “My only job is to try to be the MVP for this team every night, put my teammates, put our franchise in position to be successful and ultimately compete for a championship. I know what I bring to the table. This league knows what I bring to the table. That's for you guys to write about. It's not for me to be concerned about.”
He’s concerned about winning another championship. That’s how the best player in the world operates.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt
PHOTOS: Best of the conference finals
