Neo and Everything After (LeBron James in Rare Air)

Last year after the Finals, I wrote on how LeBron James went from just great to The One. He became Neo in the Matrix during the playoffs and the NBA Finals. This season was like watching the Matrix sequels only if you focus on how Neo was almost untouchable.

Now it's confirmed. LeBron has won his 4th MVP, one vote shy of being unanimous. Just like Shaq in 1999-2000.

I already stated why LeBron should win easily. Watching him this year was seeing him go even higher than I thought possible. The fact he finished 2nd in the Defensive Player of the Year voting shows how coaches respect his defensive prowess as much as scoring, passing and IQ.

The scariest thing is that he's proved how far he is above his peers. Say what you want about he has a better supporting cast in Miami. He was doing the same thing in Cleveland minus a post-game and shooting efficiency.

Think about his competition. Kevin Durant had a 50(FG%)-40(3 point%)-90(FT%) season with the 2nd highest scoring average among club members. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks to their best season in the 21st century while leading the league in scoring. Chris Paul and Tony Parker were the best point guards this season and right behind them was Kobe Bryant having one of his finest seasons in terms of evolving his game.

Any other year, MVP candidates like that would be splitting a lot of votes. That's no shade on them, it's how remarkable LeBron has been this year. Although somebody needs to convince me how Carmelo got that 1st place vote.

At this point, LeBron has set himself apart from his peers and we can measure him by the all-time greats.

Gretzky: 8 in a row. Russell: 4 out of 5 yrs. Bonds: 3 in 4 (+ 4 in a row) Kareem: 5 in 7. Magic: 3 in 4: Jordan: 3 in 5 LeBron: 4 in 5 #MVP
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) May 3, 2013

Some more info. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also had 4 MVP's at 28 and had five in his first eight seasons. Bill Russell had 4 at 29 and five in his first nine seasons.LeBron has four in the last five years. He's got a great chance to win more. It's up to him and how far he pushes himself or if the media gets tired of rewarding him.

This is the LBJ era and there's no reason to expect anything less than all-around two-way dominance and leadership from the best player on the planet. Sit back and enjoy the show.