MVP trailer: LeBron chasing Durant

ByBRIAN WINDHORST
January 29, 2014, 5:19 PM

— -- MIAMI -- LeBron James was muttering to himself as he removed the ice wraps from his knees after a victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the spring of 2011.

Moments earlier James had done something he hadn't liked: He'd publicly conceded the MVP race that season to Derrick Rose. At the time, Rose's Chicago Bulls were in the midst of winning 16 of 17 games to clinch the best record in the league and James' Miami Heat were 0-3 against them during the regular season.

That night James had just missed a triple-double against the Wolves, one in a long line of huge games, but Rose had carried the Bulls to another victory in Detroit. James, who had won the previous two MVPs, said after the game that Rose was probably the best candidate. It was surprising, James admitting he wasn't going to win with time still left in the race. It was also reality.