Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron James is an MVP candidate this season despite Lakers’ underwhelming 16-15 record

The LA Lakers have struggled to produce wins despite LeBron James' MVP-level performances.

Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron James is an MVP candidate this season despite Lakers’ underwhelming 16-15 record

Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron James is an MVP candidate despite the Lakers season struggles (image via Twitter & YouTube)

LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is having an unbelievable season. No player in history has had the production that James is putting up in their 21st season. For many of James’ fans, he is playing at an MVP caliber. Stephen A. Smith of ESPN agrees.

Smith was speaking with Mike Wilbon and Shannon Sharpe on their Christmas Day special edition of First Take on ESPN. The topic of LeBron James came up and Smith went on record to say:

I have LeBron James as an MVP candidate, they just need to win more games.

Smith goes on to clarify that the Lakers as a team need to win more games. With the current production from the rest of the squad, the Lakers will struggle against the top teams in the Western Conference. Smith believes unless that happens, James’ MVP candidature will not get the boost that his season deserves.

The Lakers are 2-6 since winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament. They kept the majority of the team together which was instrumental in last season’s run to the Western Conference finals. GM Rob Pelinka was also praised for key additions that supposedly would have elevated the Lakers. But, the Lakers do not seem to have figured out how to play better.

Currently, the Lakers are in 9th place in the hotly contested Western Conference. Smith and Wilbon believe they are not even at the level of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who they beat last time out. Despite James’ MVP-level season, it has not been enough for the Lakers. All the analysts think they need to trade for a better player, and the bench has to start chipping in as well for the team to rise up the standings.

LeBron James is having a historical season

LeBron James is playing in the 21st season of his already historical NBA career. The NBA’s all-time highest scorer is averaging 25.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists this season. According to Smith, that is an MVP-caliber season. However, he knows the MVP voting is heavily impacted by the season record as well.

LeBron James is having an unbelievable 21st season
LeBron James is having an unbelievable 21st season (Image via Open Source, X)

James is a four-time league MVP. Every time he won league MVP, his team was either in 1st or 2nd position in the conference, which is why Smith insisted that the Lakers have to play better to solidify James’ MVP candidature. In the extremely competitive Western Conference, it will undoubtedly take a monumental effort from the entire Lakers organization.

James needs help for the Lakers to win. Unless the Lakers finish in the top 3-4 of the Western Conference, all of James’ historical MVP-caliber season will go to waste.

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