With Three MVP Awards; James Still Lacks the Big One

By the time Michael Jordan won his third league MVP award in 1992 he already had at least one championship under his belt and was well on his way to winning his second.  Lebron James received his third MVP award today in Miami, an amazing accomplishment that puts him in a very special place in basketball history. 

James however, is still lacking an NBA Title.  Which means, at least for now, his three MVP awards don't mean anything among NBA fans.  No one can take these awards away from James though.  He is clearly the most dominant player in the game, makes everyone around him better, and distributes the ball as well as anyone in the game today.  All of his contributions to his team really won't be truly appreciated until he can help hoist up the championship trophy at the end of the season. 

Lebron is aware of this and stated so in his press conference today; via cbssports.com-via Associated Press, "This is very overwhelming to me as an individual award. But this is not the award I want, ultimately -- I want that championship. That's all that matters to me."

James will draw criticism by winning his third MVP with zero titles.  He seems to draw criticism no matter what he does.  Whether it be sharing the ball in crunch time to open players or that he is not a clutch player to begin with.  The fact remains that Lebron beat out some very good players to win this award, Durant, Paul, and Bryant in that order. 

James has done what was expected of him when he came out of high school in 2003.  Everything except win a championship.... yet.  James has lived up to the hype and has wowed everyone in doing so.  He's made two finals appearances (2007 w/ Cleveland and 2011 w/ Miami), but fell way short in both tries.  It is safe to say that the Heat are on their way to a championship this season, but James and the Heat will run into road hazards along the journey and he will have to lift his team over those hazards on the games biggest stage.  Something the three time MVP has not done yet. 

It is clear that James wants this monkey off  his back.  The Heat have become his team since he arrived in South Beach last season.  If the Heat don't get the job done this year; that monkey will feel like an elephant.

Eastern Conference Second Round Quick Picks: 

Celtics over 76ers 4-2.

Heat over Pacers 4-2.