Lakers News: LeBron James In Running For In-Season Tournament MVP

Will The Chosen One be the first to win this prestigious honor?

Michael Jordan. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Wilt Chamberlain.

All these players can make their case to be considered the NBA's Greatest Of All Time, but they all have something in common.

None of them can say they ever won the NBA In-Season Tournament MVP. 

Thus, LeBron James can sign, seal, and deliver his case for GOAT within a month's time if all goes well.

In all seriousness, LeBron is legitimately making his case to win the Most Valuable Player award of the inaugural In-Season Tournament.

According to Matthew Peterson's latest rankings over on NBA.com, the four-time NBA MVP is currently third in the race to win the award, trailing only the Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton and the Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis.

James has been stellar in the Tournament so far, as the 19-time All-Star has averaged 27.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game in 3 group play games thus far.

The all-time leading scorer's performance in these games has led the Lakers to be 3-0 in tournament play, and after three contests they currently lead the NBA in tournament point differential, having outscored their opponents by a combined 42 points.

While some may not fully understand this tournament or the significance of it, James and the Lakers surely understand its importance, and their play has reflected that.

The Lakers currently sit atop West Group A, and have the opportunity to clinch their spot in the knockout rounds with a win against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.

If the Lakers advance to the knockout rounds, then it would put them in a great position to advance and potentially make it to the championship game in Las Vegas.

All these games (up until the championship) count towards regular-season standings, so there is a built-in incentive to win these matchups as is. 

However, LeBron and the Lakers have looked especially inspired during the Tournament games, and an undefeated record in the Tournament would most definitely garner the future first ballot Hall of Famer MVP consideration.

The James vs Jordan GOAT debate may go on until the end of time, but LeBron is closing in on an accolade that Air Jordan will never be able to match.

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