Miami’s LeBron James reportedly will win NBA MVP award

The NBA’s worst-kept secret is about to become official -- Miami All-Star forward LeBron James reportedly will be named the league’s most valuable player for a third time on Saturday.

The Associated Press reports that James will be announced as the winner Saturday before he receives his MVP trophy from NBA Commissioner David Stern on Sunday afternoon at Miami’s Eastern Conference semifinal series opener against the Indiana Pacers.

James had another standout season with the Heat, averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists a game. In addition, his 53% shooting percentage and 1.9 steals a game made him arguably the league’s most-dominant player this season.

He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone as the only players to have won the award at least three times. Abdul-Jabbar won the award a record six times.

James told the Associated Press last week that while winning the MVP award again would be an honor, he’s more focused on bringing a championship to Miami. James has yet to win an NBA title.

“What I’m all about is team and ever since I was a kid, I was always taught it’s team first,” James told the Associated Press on Friday.

“He’s probably as committed as he’s ever been in his career,” Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said about James. “And he’s always been committed. … We all respond to his energy on the court.”

Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and the Clippers’ Chris Paul were among the other players who were considered to be in the running for the MVP honor. Votes for the award will be revealed Saturday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

ALSO:

Injuries are a sore subject for Clippers

Metta World Peace’s help on defense seen as priority

Bill Plaschke: It’s a sick joke, but Lakers are forced into a Game 7

Miami’s LeBron James reportedly will win NBA MVP award