LeBron James named NBA Most Valuable Player

by Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer Reporter
Monday May 04, 2009, 5:04 PM

UPDATED: 11:12 p.m.

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AKRON -- He's long been a hometown hero, now he's a hometown MVP.

Ten years ago, LeBron James started getting roars at St. Vincent-St. Mary's gym on the edge of downtown Akron. Monday he got one more huge ovation in a moment that can only be described as unforgettably unique.

James accepted the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, which he won in a landslide, on the same floor where he first became a star.

With his Cavaliers teammates and coaches in the crowd -- which was stocked with family members, former teachers, former coaches, longtime friends and hundreds of current students -- James accepted the award with humility. Well, as much humility that can come with arriving at his old school in a Ferrari with a police escort.

But before he got there, he drove through his old neighborhood and took the same route he took to school as a teen. The trip seemed faster this time, almost as speedy as his rise from phenom to the highest individual honor in the sport.

At midseason, the MVP looked like a three-way race between James, Lakers' star Kobe Bryant and Heat star Dwyane Wade. As the Cavs surged to the finish behind James -- who won four Player of the Month Awards to tie a single-season record -- to 66 wins, it quickly became lopsided. James received 109 of the possible 121 first-place votes to record the sixth-largest victory margin in history.

Bryant finished second overall but had just two first-place votes. Wade was third but had seven first-place votes.

At a podium set up right below the state championship banner from his senior season in 2003, James thanked his current teammates and coaches, telling them "this award is going to be like the both of ours but I'm going to keep it at my house."

Then he thanked his longtime friends and former teammates and coaches, especially SVSM coach Dru Joyce. Talking about his team and swearing he wouldn't cry, James also spoke about his admiration for his mother.

"I'm 24 years old and I'm receiving this award, I never thought it would happen this fast," James said. "I never dreamed about being MVP, but if I said I didn't enjoy this award I'd be lying to you. Hard work pays off and dreams do come true."

To show extra attention to his teammates, James gave each a pricey camera in part to signify their "family portraits" that became a staple during the season. But he was quick to remind all of his bigger goals this season.

"I still I have a lot of things I want to do this season," James said. "I want to have another celebration in June."

It was James' choice to have the ceremony at SVSM. Normally players accept the award at practice facilities or home arenas. He will have another celebration before Tuesday's Game 1 in the conference semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, where NBA Commissioner David Stern is expected to be on hand to give him the Maurice Podoloff Trophy in front of a sellout at The Q.

So the TV trucks lined up along West Market Street in Akron and police directed traffic and dignitaries, business partners and media members got themselves to James' turf, the only place he could imagine getting the award.

"This is where I learned my dreams could come true really, there's not a better place," James said. "This school, I just graduated six years ago, this school helped me become the man I am today standing up here receiving this award."

With the trophy came an SUV from Kia, the NBA annual awards sponsor, which James immediately donated to the Akron Urban League.

"He's never forgotten where he came from," said James' mother, Gloria. "I'm very proud of him, it is long overdue and he's real deserving of it."

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, who spoke to the crowd along with General Manager Danny Ferry, surveyed the scene and then tried to re-name the award.

"The 'P' stands for person, it goes beyond player," Gilbert said. "To a lot of people, he's a most valuable person. He gives to his team, his friends, the City of Akron, St. Vincent-St. Mary; he has given in so many ways."

See every linescore from LeBron's historic season in our LeBron James Statistical Bible.