Why LeBron deserved the 2010-2011 MVP

2010-2011 Regular Season Stats:

                          LeBron                         D-Rose

• Min/G        38.8                              37.4
• PPG           26.7                             25.0
• Ast/G         7.0                               7.7
• Reb/G        7.5                                4.1
• Stls/G         1.6                               1.0

Now for percentages (efficiency):

• FG%         51%                             44.5%
• 3FG%       33%                             33.2%
• FT%         75.9%                          85.8%
• FGA/G      18.8                             19.7
• FTA/G       8.4                               6.9
• 3FGA/G    3.5                               4.8

 LeBron had the best shooting year of his career so far, surpassing the 50% mark. Rose on the other hand shot a very average 45%. LeBron outrebounded Rose (to be expected) but staggeringly almost notched as many assists per night as the Chicago point guard.

On the defensive side, LeBron locked down the other team's best player every night (guard or forward) which earned him a spot on the NBA's First Team All Defense.

So how did Rose double LeBron's points in the MVP voting?

1. Speedy little guards are more fun to watch.
2. The voters always fall into the "This guy already has an MVP, this guy who doesn't had his best year so far, what the hell" (shades of Steve Nash '05).
3. A small guy taking it to the bigger guys in the lane always has people rooting for the underdog.
4. Defense is always underappreciated in MVP voting.
5. Everyone hates LeBron for fleeing Cleveland, where management teamed him with the worst supporting cast in the league (this year was just a testament to how bad Cleveland would have been without James during his tenure). Players are supposed to put themselves in the best position to win championships, and LeBron chose the best possible place for him to do that. HE EVEN GAVE UP MONEY FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.

Postseason:

Let's get this straight, both are great players. But D-Rose is no LeBron James. And this was proven in the Eastern Conference Finals (as I predicted). Bron-Bron consistently stifled Rose on defense and the Bulls had no answer for LBJ's multi-faceted attack on offense. LeBron time and time again hit the clutch shot while Rose failed to rise to the occasion (reminding me of his second half free throw debacle in the '08 NCAA national championship game).



LeBron's stats in the Chicago-Miami series: 26-8-7 on 45% from the field and 39% from three.
D-Rose's stats in the Chicago-Miami series: 23-4-7 on 35% from the field and 23% from three.


It should also be noted that LeBron had fewer turnovers and more steals than Derrick.

The King took over late in games, bringing the ball up the court as a point guard and facilitating the offense masterfully while Rose was crushed by the media by failing to make an appearance in the fourth quarters. Miami waltzed through the series 4-1, leaving the MVP waiting another year for his ring.



So there is why LeBron should have won MVP this year. He played better on offense and defense. Simple as that.