Not surprisingly, LeBron James won the NBA’s MVP award for the second straight year.

James received 116 of a possible 123 first-place votes to win in a landslide over Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, who was picked first on four ballots. Orlando center Dwight Howard received the other three first-place votes and finished fourth.

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant had no first-place votes and finished third.

Going into this season, I thought Kobe was the best player in basketball, but I don’t think that’s the case at all anymore.  LeBron has become a great defensive player, and he’s dominating the game offensively like no one I’ve seen since Jordan.  It’s amazing to think he can totally take over and he still doesn’t have a post up game yet.  My question is this – how many MVPs in a row is LeBron going to win?  Because Kobe isn’t going to get any better, and I really don’t think Howard is capable of having a season good enough to beat out LeBron for the MVP.

The only guy who’s a threat is Durant, and I’m glad he’s already received enough recognition to finish second in the voting.  The thing is, Durant is only 21, and he’s better than LeBron was at 21.  It’s hard to imagine a player being better than LeBron in just a few years – especially since LeBron keeps improving, too – but there’s never been a player like Durant.  My prediction?  LeBron wins again next year, then Durant starts his streak.  No one else is in the conversation for the next 7 years.

[NBA.com]