Can LeBron win Finals MVP (if Warriors win)?

[D.o.s.]

Iggy was a more meaningful player that series than Curry was -- if "only" by virtue of having to show up all 7 games and guard the best player on the floor in addition to contributing a not-insignificant amount on the offensive end.

I think if LeBron had given another unreal performance he would have won the award. He didn't (although that's strange to type, given the fact that he "only" went 32-18-8), and the Cavaliers couldn't come up with a win despite the blatant home court advantage they were given by the referees, particularly apparent at the free throw line and what was being called in the second quarter on the Warriors compared to what CLE were getting away with on offense.

Anyway, 25-5-5 with 0 turnovers, the highest assist percentage on the team despite not being a point guard, and being the best perimeter defender on a team that rode perimeter D to a title at the expense of their best defensive big? Award is justified to me.

[Celtics4ever]

I dislike LeBron but he was the best player in the series by a mile.  Iggy really helped them but it is a sham that anyone but LeBron won it.   He almost averaged a triple double.

The championship game officiating made it more of a closer game than it was with some of the helpful calls for the Cavs in the first half.   

To the guy who thought CLE deserves a title in some other thread. I thought the Cavs fans were undeserving.   The NaNaNa Goodbye chant down the stretch when they were losing was really dumb.   Booing Iggy showed little class when he was announced as MVP.  I still think they deserve nothing and better be praying that LeBron does not walk.  If he stays they will be in the hunt next year and maybe have better luck.

[Cman]

Reportedly Iggy got 7 votes for MVP, LeBron got 4.  No one else received a vote.  So it was fairly close.  Going to 7, or Iggy having a low-scoring game tonight, probably would've done it.

Here's the purported breakdown:



It's interesting that Cleveland's (or, at least Akron's) local guy voted for Iggy over James.

Yes, especially given that James was born and raised in Akron Ohio.

[D.o.s.]

Reportedly Iggy got 7 votes for MVP, LeBron got 4.  No one else received a vote.  So it was fairly close.  Going to 7, or Iggy having a low-scoring game tonight, probably would've done it.

Here's the purported breakdown:



It's interesting that Cleveland's (or, at least Akron's) local guy voted for Iggy over James.

Yes, especially given that James was born and raised in Akron Ohio.

So was Steph Curry. 

[Rosco917]

No doubt about it Labron was the best player on the floor, throughout the series. (even if he commits 8-9 fouls a game.)

I have to say Andre Iguodala has always been an under appreciated NBA player throughout his career. Iggy was brought into the starting lineup specifically to try and control Labron. He's always been a solid, physical defender, to go along with his scoring, passing, and rebounding. I'm glad to see him get some long over due recognition.

[Donoghus]

A bit surprised that Iggy got it over Curry but thought Iggy was certainly deserving also. 

Certainly a case of stats not telling the whole story here.  Seems like enough of the media realized it too.

[manl_lui]

Reportedly Iggy got 7 votes for MVP, LeBron got 4.  No one else received a vote.  So it was fairly close.  Going to 7, or Iggy having a low-scoring game tonight, probably would've done it.

Here's the purported breakdown:



It's interesting that Cleveland's (or, at least Akron's) local guy voted for Iggy over James.

Yes, especially given that James was born and raised in Akron Ohio.

So was Steph Curry. 

I never knew that! but Iggy does deserve it. Like last year's finals, Iggy (compared to Leonard) got tasked with defending LeBron James which is probably his most important job in the finals. He made shots and defended LeBron and it's not easy to do. Very well deserved

[BudweiserCeltic]

A bit surprised that Iggy got it over Curry but thought Iggy was certainly deserving also. 

Certainly a case of stats not telling the whole story here.  Seems like enough of the media realized it too.

Last game's performance sealed it. Iggy had a great game on both sides of the floor, Curry didn't shoot it particularly well, so it was a toss up at that point, and I think in the end the right guy got it.

[Finkelskyhook]

I doubt the messiah would want the award after losing the series.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

A bit surprised that Iggy got it over Curry but thought Iggy was certainly deserving also. 

Certainly a case of stats not telling the whole story here.  Seems like enough of the media realized it too.

Last game's performance sealed it. Iggy had a great game on both sides of the floor, Curry didn't shoot it particularly well, so it was a toss up at that point, and I think in the end the right guy got it.

I thought Iggy was clearly the most deserving. He was the spark in Games 4 and 5, and had another great game last night—far exceeding expectations—whereas Curry, though he did play better in the second half of the series, mostly underperformed relative to what people thought he would do in this series.

As for LeBron, he was clearly the MVP of his team, and the best player in this series, but I'm not sure giving the series MVP to someone from the losing team is ever a good idea. Golden State just won its first title in 40 years, and Iggy was the primary reason.

[Celtics4ever]

I'm not sure giving the series MVP to someone from the losing team is ever a good idea.

 

So it really is not the MVP but the MVP of the winning team in your eyes?

The trouble with MVP awards is that everyone defines it differently and their is no consensus on what constitutes the MVP. 

[SHAQATTACK]

Has the losing team ever had the MVP .....if they have I don't recall......?

MVP ..is part of winning ....

Choosing the MVP ..should be from the victorious team......not the losers.

MVP ..rights is part of the Spoils of winning.

Any situation LeBron is going to be the MVP 9 out 10 times win or lose...he is that much better than 95 % of NBA players.

Because he is athletically gifted , repeating it over and over by award him even when he loses is meaningless and redundant and tiresome

The discussion is really kind of silly....... Who wants the MVP Loser Award ....I'm sure LeBron wouldn't want that reminder of a important series he lost setting in a trophy case.

[manl_lui]

Has the losing team ever had the MVP .....if they have I don't recall......?

MVP ..is part of winning ....

Choosing the MVP ..should be from the victorious team......not the losers.

MVP ..rights is part of the Spoils of winning.

Any situation LeBron is going to be the MVP 9 out 10 times win or lose...he is that much better than 95 % of NBA players.

Because he is athletically gifted , repeating it over and over by award him even when he loses is meaningless and redundant and tiresome

The discussion is really kind of silly....... Who wants the MVP Loser Award ....I'm sure LeBron wouldn't want that reminder of a important series he lost setting in a trophy case.

Lakers 1969 - Jerry West (Boston Won that series)

I believe that's the only time a losing team had a finals MVP

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Russell_NBA_Finals_Most_Valuable_Player_Award

[tarheelsxxiii]

Lowe surprises me a lot with his opinions and articles. Not sure I respect his opinions as much as I used to, but maybe I have a subconscious bias against him for some reason. Interested to know what others think of him.

[Moranis]

Has the losing team ever had the MVP .....if they have I don't recall......?

MVP ..is part of winning ....

Choosing the MVP ..should be from the victorious team......not the losers.

MVP ..rights is part of the Spoils of winning.

Any situation LeBron is going to be the MVP 9 out 10 times win or lose...he is that much better than 95 % of NBA players.

Because he is athletically gifted , repeating it over and over by award him even when he loses is meaningless and redundant and tiresome

The discussion is really kind of silly....... Who wants the MVP Loser Award ....I'm sure LeBron wouldn't want that reminder of a important series he lost setting in a trophy case.

Most Valuable Player

Definition of Value - relative worth, merit, importance

Definition of Valuable - having qualities worthy of respect, admiration or esteem OR of considerable use, service, or importance

Funny I don't see anything about winning.  At the end of the day Lebron James had by far the most relative worth, merit and importance in the series.  He also by far had the most considerable use, service, or importance and was worthy of the most respect, admiration or esteem.  Strange how people put all of these factors into something and don't actually look at the definition.