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Los Angeles Lakers: Three expectations for LeBron James in year one

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James /

3. LeBron James will win the MVP

LeBron James has not won an MVP since the 2012-2013 season when he led the Miami Heat to the team’s second consecutive NBA Championship. And even though James has not won the award for what will be six years this upcoming season, he still is widely regarded as the best player in the league.

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It is an interesting dynamic that we have seen play out in sports before. People become so numb to greatness that when another star steps up and produces a similar season to LeBron’s then they walk away with the MVP award.

We all know what to expect from James and when he gives us another high-level season he is simply playing to his standards. He has set the bar for other guys; when they reach the bar, they become MVPs.

In LA this will be different as everyone will really realize how valuable LeBron is and there are multiple factors playing into this.

It all started with last season’s playoffs where LeBron single-handedly put the Cavaliers on his back and carried an otherwise lottery team into the NBA Finals. If it were not for J.R. Smith in game one, who knows how the rest of the Finals could have gone.

Second of all, everyone will realize how badly the Cavaliers will collapse without James and how much better the Lakers are with him. He will probably produce the same statistical season, however, the impact of it will be felt much more throughout the league.

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Russell Westbrook has gotten his MVP as has James Harden, two guys who deserved at least one. Unless Giannis Antetokounmpo has an insane breakout year, LeBron James will be your 2018-2019 NBA MVP.