NBA: Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James Backed By Lavar Ball For MVP

LeBron James gains another backer for his MVP bid this season. Lavar Ball, the controversial father of former Laker Lonzo, is going all-in for the present Los Angeles star in capturing the league’s most prestigious individual hardware for his fifth time - a feat the Akron, Ohio native is trying to chase at 35 years old in his 17^th season in the NBA.

Ball appeared on FS1’s Skip and Shannon: Undisputed and – as outspoken as he is – did not reserve his words and boldly claimed that James “should be MVP.” He justified his case by subjectively describing Lakers would be on a diverse situation if the three-time NBA champion was not at the forefront leading the pack. “(The Lakers) ain’t gonna do nothing without him. Take him out the equation, that’s a wrap. You take him out the equation, that’s a wrap.”

James is averaging 25.5 points, 10.6 assists and 7.8 boards per game this season but still trails reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in the race as of the last update. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar had been pegged to run away with his second straight plum before James stepped on the accelerator as he appears to give the Greek Freak a run for his money and become the oldest MVP in league history.

James’ recent display of high-level basketball earned him the Western Conference Player of the Month citation which the league announced on Tuesday. He averaged 26.0 points on 49.7 percent shooting, 8.1 rebounds, and 10.1 assists to lead the Lakers to a 9-2 record in February.

James, who stays as the NBA leader in assists, went full throttle offensively as he logged in 10 double-digit scoring performances, including six games with at least 20 points, four games with at least 30 – elevating the Lakers to an unblemished 19-0 whenever he reaches the mark - all while not completely giving up his playmaking duties as he still tallied five games with double-digit assists in 10 games during the month. He also notched five double-doubles that include two triple-doubles and highlighted the span by capturing historic milestones as he moved to fifth place on the NBA’s all-time free throws made list and became just the 13th player in league history to reach 2,000 steals.