Los Angeles Lakers: 5 bold predictions post All-Star Break

2. LeBron James wins MVP

LeBron James was last named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of the 2012-13 season as a member of the Miami Heat. Since then, he has often remained a perennial candidate for the award but has not won.

This season, that will finally change as James will claim his fifth MVP award, tying Michael Jordan and trailing only Kareem-Abdul Jabbar. This will not be an easy feat, as Giannis Antetokounmpo appears to be leading that race as it stands today. If anyone can surpass Giannis, though, it is King James.

LeBron will likely finish the season as the league leader in assists, as well as top 15 in scoring. While Giannis has been otherworldly, no player is able to match the impact that LeBron James has had on the Lakers. If the Lakers can widen their grip on the first seed out West, LeBron could steal the MVP away from Antetokounmpo.

The Bucks have the fifth hardest schedule remaining in the NBA, so it is plausible that the Lakers could finish the season with the league’s best record. LeBron leading his team in the second half of the year to the first overall seed could finally result in his fifth Most Valuable Player award.