Los Angeles Lakers star Lebron James is now a betting favorite in the MVP of the NBA or the second favorite in most bookmakers, thanks to an unexpected commitment to the regular season to lead the Lakers to the best record in the league.
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook was the first operator to place James as a favorite, recording 4-1 odds Monday night after the 36-year-old led the Lakers in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. James finished with 46 points on 19-26 on shots, including 7-11 from three-point territory.
“People should be more surprised than he’s doing as he gets older. I think this should play into the minds of some voters. I think this could affect some people who didn’t vote for him last year. “NBA SuperBook Director Jeff Sherman told ESPN.
James started the season among the top six favorites, even reaching 14-1 odds. However, despite a brief change from the October NBA Finals to the opening night of this season, James has played every game averaging 25.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
“The expectation was that he was going to waste some time, take it easy and prepare for the playoffs. Not doing that has changed the odds,” Sherman said. “Anthony Davis has wasted time and has been going through the motions and has had an inferior performance. This has helped LeBron’s case.”
William Hill currently lists James (3-1) as the second favorite behind Luka Doncic (+280).
“He’s on time for what people support him, thinking his body will stay,” William Hill exchange director Nick Bogdanovich told ESPN, and also shared that the house may lose if James finally wins the prize.
The four-time MVP has not won the award since 2013. He finished second behind Giannis Antetokounmpo last year, James Harden in 2018 and Kevin Durant in 2014. If James wins again, he would become the oldest MVP in the League and would join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6), Michael Jordan (5) and Bill Russell (5) as the only players in League history to win at least five MVPs.
Doncic started this season as the betting favorite and has stayed close to the top in all bookmakers. Kevin Durant (7-1), Joel Embiid (8-1) and Nikola Jokic (8-1) have become a more important part of the race. Giannis (9-1) is still among the leaders, but it will likely take a historic season for the two-time reigning MVP to repeat for the third time.
“Giannis is almost out of the conversation. The Bucks are doing less than expected. There is voter fatigue and people can’t help but remember the playoffs,” Sherman said, referring to Milwaukee’s inability to get there. in the NBA Finals despite being the top seed each of the last two years.
Voters are members of the media, who are essentially left to determine their own interpretation of the award. Discussions often involve criteria focused on the player with the most impressive season or who is literally the most valuable to their team.
“Obviously, if you eliminate LeBron from the Lakers, they’re a different team, but they could put up with some stretches. But if you eliminate Luka [Doncic] of the Mavericks, they would be a really bad team, “Sherman said.
The Lakers currently have a 14-4 record, while the Mavs are 8-9. The Embiid 76ers own the top spot in the East right now with a 12-6 record.