Shady process behind LeBron James Olympics MVP voting REVEALED by top basketball insider

Basketball Insider Brian Windhorst provides a detailed insight into LeBron James' Olympics MVP voting process at the Paris Olympics.

Shady process behind LeBron James Olympics MVP voting REVEALED by top basketball insider

LeBron James

Top basketball insider, Brian Windhorst‘s recent comments regarding LeBron James‘ Olympic MVP Award have caught the attention of the basketball community. Notably, James won MVP honors in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The NBA’s all-time greatest scorer led Team USA in assists (51) and rebounds (41) in winning his third gold medal.

However, another USA star, Stephen Curry led James in Team USA’s scoring charts at the Paris Olympics. This had fans contemplating James being awarded as the MVP at the Olympics. Now, Windhorst shared a detailed but “shady” process regarding the Olympics MVP voting. It’s important to note that, Windhorst was present in Paris throughout Team USA’s campaign.

"I’m not even sure there’s a trophy. I asked, ‘How is the MVP chosen?’ Then I was told that it’s media voting, which the media could vote on, there was a QR code allegedly on the wall. They opened the voting like two days before the end of the semifinals. But I was told, ‘Media voting and FIBA experts.’”
Brian Windhorst via Hoop Collective Podcast

In addition, in practically every sports league, the MVP award is presented after the season or competition has ended. For example, the regular season MVP is announced after all 82 games have been completed. Hence, this method of voting was unusual for the basketball community. It also does not make sense to cast a vote regarding the MVP of the tournament before the competition has ended.

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LeBron James is the leader in efficiency, rebounds, and assists in the Olympics

At 39 years old, LeBron James has once more demonstrated that age is sometimes only a number. The Los Angeles Lakers great recorded a triple-double in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games semifinals and was awarded the tournament’s MVP following the final versus France. In addition, James had an outstanding Olympic campaign in Paris, leading the efficiency, rebounds, and assists list.

In addition, James averaged 14.2 points while shooting 66% from the field and making 30.8% of his three-pointers. He also averaged 6.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, and 1.3 steals a game, for a team-high 23.5 efficiency. James was one of the most crucial players for his nation at the Paris Olympics alongside Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.

Interestingly, James also had a triple-double against Serbia in the semifinals, with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. He is the only player to have achieved a triple-double at the Olympics on multiple occasions. The 39-year-old backed his defensive skills and matched up with the best players throughout the Olympics. It remains to be seen now how James spends his last-years of his career as a basketball professional.

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