By Barry Jackson, McClatchy Newspapers –
MIAMI — Heat forward LeBron James’ sterling second season in Miami will result in his third Most Valuable Player Award.
James will be named the NBA’s MVP on Saturday, according to a source.
The MVP competition was expected to be a two-man race between James and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, who said last month that James “deserves all the love (for MVP). He’s playing phenomenal basketball. I’m just blessed to be in that conversation.”
James, 27, said recently that winning the MVP would be “amazing” but that winning is what motivates him.
“He’s probably as committed as he’s ever been in his career,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Wednesday.
James finished third in the league in scoring (27.1 per game), fourth in steals (1.85), 11th in field goal percentage, 13th in assists (6.2) and 25th in rebounding (7.9).
His rebounding average equaled a career high, and his 53.1 field-goal percentage was a career high and well above his 48.3 career average.
James also posted the NBA’s highest efficiency rating (29.85).
James, who won the MVP award as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009 and 2010, becomes the eighth player to win the honor at least three times, joining Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird and Moses Malone.
