Apr 28, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) during the first half of game one in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

James is winning the award for the third time in four seasons. Only seven other players — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone – have at least three MVP trophies.

James averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists — making him only the fourth player with those totals in at least two different seasons, according to STATS LLC, joining Oscar Robertson (five times), John Havlicek (twice) and Bird (twice).

Add James’ 53 percent shooting and 1.9 steals per game into the mix, and the club gets even more exclusive. Only Jordan had a season with numbers exceeding what James did this season in those categories — 1988-89, when he averaged 32.5 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and 2.9 steals on 54 percent shooting.

LeBron James: What I’m all about is team and ever since I was a kid, I was always taught it’s team first. My first time playing basketball, we went undefeated and won a championship and Frank Walker Sr. gave everyone on the team a MVP trophy. Right then and there, I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to see my teammates reap the benefits as well. I wanted to get back to who I was as a person.”

Erik Spoelstra: ”I think he’s probably as committed as he’s ever been in his career, and he’s always been committed. … We all respond to his energy on the court.”

Doc Rivers: ”I think LeBron is an MVP candidate every year. It’s just who he is. He only does everything. So I don’t know what more you can ask from him. LeBron, to me, is the favorite every year. The years he doesn’t win it, it’ll usually be because people are just tired of voting for him. Statistically, if you go all-around game, I don’t know how you don’t vote for him every year.”

Dwyane Wade: ”LeBron has been unbelievable. He’s done it at both ends, every night, offensively and defensively.”

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