But the major reason why were so impressed with him is because we know what he can do.

And he hadn't done it on a consistent basis throughout his career, whether it be because of injury or at times appearing disinterested.

Whereas now that Doc Rivers is there and he's got in.

Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers and Elton Brand have shooters surrounding and with Tobias Harris is playing at a Max contract level, with Seth Curry shooting damn near 60% from three point range, averaging 15 points a game and all of that other stuff that has helped and Ben Simmons has been unleashed.

We get all of that.

But to me when you look at LeBron James, Uh, listen, Kendrick, I said it at the top of the show.

Look at what this brother is doing right now.

They got the best record in basketball.

They got the best record in basketball.

They haven't lost a road game, the brothers averaging 25 nearly eight and eight, shooting better than he has ever shot from three point range at over 41% from three's.

Right now, defending better than anybody.

And he's 36 years old.

He just in cruise control, turning it on whenever he wants to be in basketball's version of the Kansas City Chiefs right now.

And so I look at it from that perspective, and I juxtapose that to a Joe L and B.

And what is he doing?

Jo Ellen Beat has been great.

I understand that.

But the Onley quality team thus far primarily due the injuries on the most part from other teams, along with other teams being inferior.

The only teams that the Philadelphia 76 is really, really beating quality is the Boston Celtics in back to back matchups.

And Jason Tatum didn't play either game.

And so I pay attention to that, too, because the level of competition actually does matter.

Max.

Now KP.

You can understand why Max gives the way that he feels about you know what?

When it comes to MVPs, he shouldn't be granted in the regular season because Max barely wants to go to any games.

I don't know how many games he watches, the brothers sitting up there and reading stats and talking about PR and analytics and all of this other stuff.

Nobody gives a damn about that.

When you got a chance to watch these brothers play, you look in the E u Beetlejuice.

I listen to you speak Beetlejuice, hold up when you're looking at from the standpoint of Kevin Durant, the bottom line is you're talking about Kevin Durant averaging over 30 straight off an Achilles tear.

That's why I looked at him.

But I put dwelling beating that conversation.

But the fact that LeBron James is there now, he's reminded us on what we must have for gotten.

This dude is the M V P.

He's something special, and the Lakers are great because of him.

Without him, they'd be the New Orleans Pelicans from years ago.

Que de deserves to be in that conversation to K.

D.

Has been balling out of control, and I'm not denying that.

I'm saying, if I had to give it out right now, I give it to em B.

And by the way, LeBron is playing with a D who can guard all five positions and bring the ball up if you need him to.

And that's not even, really, what he does like a D is great.

As always, the Lakers are a powerhouse.

And when you talk about M v p number one, we're not some of the best player in the world.

LeBron has proved that we're not talking about championship aspirations like we're talking about who in the regular season has been that so far.

And beads basically been the best offensive and defensive players so far.

What else is there, Max?

Max, That is not true, Max.

That is not true.

I just told you that LeBron James ranks number one for his garden people for us defensively.

So you can't sit up here and just tell us that the skies green grass is blue.

I'm not going.

I'm using eyeball.

I'm using a combination of both.

I'm using a combination of both.

I'm using my eyes.

I'm going with going with the stacks.

No, analytics is totally different.

Max analytics telling you things like, Oh, yeah, when LeBron James is on what he called Well, Pope or he's what?

Listen, he is the best person right now in the league for us guarding their defender.

But here's the thing that I wanna get to you, Max.

About okay?

Last year when I was arguing with you about Yonas and I'm not taking nothing from Yonas, he's a hell of a player.

But LeBron James was robbed.

He was robbed and everybody that voted for be honest last year she Oh, that man apology Because I kept telling y'all don't fall for that.

Don't fall for the fool's gold.

Don't fall for the 12 rebounds.

Not you, Stephen A not you, Stephen.

A He know what I'm talking to.

I'm talking to Max Kellerman.

Max me Anything?

I'm a Max.

You anything right now?

Goddamn it!

Listen, LeBron James holds up his old apology because he was robbed.

He was robbed.

And for him to be robbed.

Go and win.

Go and win the championship.

The finals M v p with a short embassy.

A short NBA off season and come back and come back and play at this level.

Man, please, Max, Come on now.

Come on, now.

You know better.

You're right.

You're right.

Based on what the m v P should be.

You guys would be right.

I'm with you.

If the m v p meant what it should mean but based on what it actually means, then it was wrong.

Then, last year, Yannis was the regular season M v p.

And this year so far it's M B.

And if they want to change it to mean what it ought to mean, then it had been LeBron.

Thanks for watching ESPN on YouTube for live streaming sports and premium content.

Subscribe to ESPN, plus.