With the NBA at a standstill right now, fans and players are finding themselves watching highlights and games from the past to pass the time. It hasn’t been easy in a world with no sports, but people are making it work.

If the NBA season were to end right now and go straight to the playoffs, regular season awards would be given out. The most prestigious award is the Most Valuable Player award. So, who would take it home? LeBron James, in his 17th season, continues to show why he’s the best and why he deserves the MVP award.

A look at LeBron’s 2019-20 season

James and the Los Angeles Lakers got off to a hot start this season and have played exceptional basketball before the coronavirus outbreak put a stop to the NBA. The three-time NBA champion is averaging 25.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. The Lakers are also first in the Western Conference with a 49-14 record.

There’s no question James has made an impact on the Lakers this year. Surrounded by a good cast including seven-time NBA all-star Anthony Davis, the Lakers are legit contenders for the NBA title. In arguably the toughest conference in the NBA, the Lakers have been atop of the standings for the majority of the season. Watching James play with a team like this is a sight to see.

James has scored 30 or more points 18 times this season with on 40-point game performance. There aren’t too many players playing in their 17th season that can put up the numbers that James is putting up. He is 11th in the league in scoring and first in assists per game. James knows how to get his teammates involved, and at the same time, he knows when to take control of the game.

The last time LeBron won the MVP award

We have to go back seven years, that’s how long it’s been since James has won the award. During the 2012-13 season with the Miami Heat, he averaged 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. The Heat also won their second title in a row that year. That was the fourth MVP award James won in his career.

That season was one of James’ best performances in his entire NBA career. Winning an MVP award is one thing, but to win the title that same year and win the NBA Finals MVP award too lets you know how dominant he was.

Why LeBron deserves the MVP award this season

Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was off to another great season with the Milwaukee Bucks averaging 29.6 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. The MVP race was going down to the wire with James and Antetokounmpo. But looking at LeBron’s numbers, he’s pretty much averaging a triple-double.

James made a case for the MVP award when the Lakers played the Bucks and the Clippers in the same week. The Lakers would win both games, and James dropped 37 points on the Bucks and 27 against the Clippers. Not only did the Lakers show why they are one of the best teams, but LeBron put on an MVP-like performance in both games.