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Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt has insisted that LeBron James deserves to be back in the MVP conversation as he has been in great form in recent weeks.
After taking a two-week break in order to go through a rehabilitation process for back and knee strains, James has returned to the Cavaliers line-up and the team has enjoyed an upturn in form.
The win over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night made it seven straight victories for the Cavs, and Blatt believes that it is time for James to be mentioned in the MVP conversation again.
“That’s just kind of funny, to be honest with you,” Blatt said before the Pistons game when discussing why James’ name isn’t mentioned for often for the award this year.
“First of all, he’s the greatest player in our game, and he’s had, since he’s been healthy — and really all year, but particularly since he’s been healthy — his performance has been as high level as ever. And you don’t have to look very far at our record to see what impact he has on this team when he’s playing and not playing.”
The Cavs have gone 25-12 with James in the line-up this season and the two-time NBA champion is averaging 30.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.0 steals in eight games since returning from that rest period.
Blatt talked up the value of James to the team again after the game, citing their struggles without him, and so he believes that James is an MVP candidate in every respect again this year.
It remains to be seen whether or not others share Blatt’s thoughts, as Stephen Curry, James Harden and Anthony Davis have been talked about for the award for the majority of the season.
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