LeBron James 'should be in MVP conversation' as LA Lakers star sets NBA landmark
Los Angeles Lakers star Christian Wood believes that his teammate LeBron James should be an MVP candidate this season.
The legendary NBA figure is set to turn 39 next month and is in his 21st season in the league while playing at a high level - averaging 26 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals a game in the Lakers positive start to the season.
After the Lakers victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night where James passed 39,000 career points, while securing a quarterfinals spot in the NBA's new in-season tournament format - Wood believes his performances should put him in the conversation for the prestigious award.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Wood said: "He's incredible, man. I can't really put it into words. The way he carries himself both on and off-the-court, the way he gets into the facility in the morning - his preparation before every game and how he takes care of his body...
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"It's incredible to do what he does at the age of 38. As you can see, he can score, rebound, pass. I think he should be in the MVP race. What person do you know who is 38 who is doing what he does? It's incredible."
James became the first man in NBA history to surpass 39,000 career points, standing alone as the league's top scorer of all-time, a mark he passed last season - while still proving to be one of the best players in the league.
The four-time MVP took a moment to celebrate the milestone with his teammates at the famous Crypto.com Arena when the achievement was announced as he saluted the crowd in attendance.
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LeBron James acknowledges cheers from the crowd after scoring his 39,000thWhen asked about the achievement on Tuesday night, James said: "I haven't really had chance to wrap my head around what it means. There's been so many great players in this league since the beginning of time, and so many great scorers. To be able to be the first of anything is always pretty cool. A wild moment, for sure."
The Lakers advancing in the new in-season tournament format will mean that they will play in the quarterfinals on December 4 and 5, with the semi-finals and finals taking place in Las Vegas later that week. The wins count towards teams regular season record - and is a new format brought in to further competition during the long NBA season.
While James could be in the running for the NBA, he is currently outside of the top five favorites, with the KIA MVP race showing that Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander currently at the top.
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