LeBron James is one of the greatest players ever. But would he be greater if he scored more points? That’s exactly the debate NBA legend Robert Horry kickstarted with some of his comments. His comments also highlighted a problem that has plagued LeBron for years.

Working as an analyst for Spectrum SportsNet, Horry opined that LeBron James should be mentioned in MVP talks this season. Why? Let’s hear it from the 7x NBA champion.  “If Lebron James got the same calls as SGA, he would be averaging 30+ points a game, and it’d be no question who’s MVP because he’s so much better, physically, stronger,” said Horry.

He also believes LeBron is the all-around better player. So, what’s holding him back? Horry says the league doesn’t want to show favoritism towards the King. Horry then concluded his statement saying, “He should be MVP cause he’s putting in that type of work. I might be a little biased. But I’m sitting back and saying, ‘League, you’ll make a vital mistake if you give that to someone other than him as of right now.’ “

The debate on this issue seems never-ending. And it’s a tricky one at that. Yes, sometimes referees forget LeBron is human too and gloss over moments in games that would be fouls on other players. Look no further than the “marginal contact” fiasco against the Clippers earlier this month. However, does that simple fact make LeBron more deserving than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

SGA has the most 50-point, 40-point, 30-point, and 20-point games this season. Simply put, the man cannot stop scoring! And while LeBron at 40 is still averaging an insane 24.8 points this season, it still falls short of Shai’s average.

Moreover, it can be argued that LeBron James receives more calls in his favour than against. Yahoo Sports’ Ben Rohrbach found that in 2023, 58% of the officials’ calls actually favored the King. However, Horry believes that despite this, LeBron just cannot get the same calls as SGA. He thinks James would’ve outscored Shai if he had received the same calls as him. And that should be enough to make him the MVP.

Well, one of LeBron’s friends disagrees.  Namely, NFL legend HOFer, Shannon Sharpe. Here’s who Sharpe thinks should be named MVP.

Shannon Sharpe believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be named MVP instead of LeBron James

NFL legend Shannon Sharpe is one of LeBron’s most vocal supporters. We’ve all seen him argue with Stephen A. Smith over who’s the GOAT. And he picked LeBron as his GOAT every time. However, that doesn’t mean Sharpe believes LeBron James deserves the MVP this season.

Shannon believes the Oklahoma City Thunder’s point guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is the most deserving of this year’s MVP title. The former NFL player was speaking to fellow NFL legend Jay Ocochinco on their podcast when he revealed his choice for this year’s MVP.

“If he is a unanimous MVP, Ocho. As well as Jokic [is] playing, as well as Giannis is playing, I’m not gonna hold you, I’m not gonna be mad at you. Because that’s how well he’s playing. That’s how well his team is playing,” said Sharpe.

And the former Broncos tight end’s analysis of this issue is flawless. Perhaps LeBron James would outscore SGA if he received the same calls as him. However, the truth of the matter is that SGA remains the top scorer in the league, averaging 32.6 points per game this season. And hypotheticals cannot decide the MVP.

So, sorry to say, Mr. Horry, LeBron James is not the league’s MVP this season. However, the way the Lakers are playing right now, LeBron has a very real chance to win his fifth ring this season. So maybe Sharpe can help his friend in the GOAT debate, even if he doesn’t think the King should be a part of the MVP discussion this season.

But who do you think deserves to be MVP this season? Do you agree with Horry’s take that LeBron should be MVP? Or do you agree with Sharpe’s opinion that SGA is the 2024 NBA MVP? Let us know!