Former Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder star Kendrick Perkins has revealed LeBron James vowed to take the MVP throne back from current Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo this season in a text.
LeBron’s first season in Los Angeles did not go very well, with the three-time champion falling to injury midway through the term and the Lakers failing to make the playoffs. But the team was well on their way to topping the West before the coronavirus outbreak forced the NBA to shut things down last month.
Even at 35, James was having an MVP-type campaign, making a strong case for himself. And, speaking to The Athletic‘s Joe Vardon, Perkins disclosed having texted LeBron to say he had the Greek Freak ahead of him in the race, for LBJ to shoot back with a vow to “reclaim my throne.”
“I sent him a text and I said. ‘Look man, I’ve got Giannis ahead of you,’” Perkins said. “And that’s when he texted me back and said, ‘Oh don’t worry, I’m gonna reclaim my throne.’ And I was like, ‘OK, well then do it mothaf**ka.’ He’s like, ‘I am, mothaf**ka.’”
James is averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 10.6 assists per game for the Lakers this term and, while Giannis remains the favorite, he’s done well to close the gap in the race, also throwing in impressive performances against the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers earlier this year to ensure he outshone both Giannis and Kawhi Leonard in those games.
Of course, we still can’t be sure how things will turn out or if the season will even resume. But knowing LeBron wants to be MVP again will make things a whole lot more intriguing if the NBA brings basketball back in the next few months.
