Nick Wright Claims LeBron James Got Robbed of Unanimous MVP, DPOY in 2013

He then went into the specific details of 2013 to justify himself. “LeBron James one year got a hundred out of 101, um, 1st place MVP votes, and the reason he didn’t win it unanimously was because Gary Washburn decided someone needed to recognize Carmelo Anthony’s season,” Wright added. He noted that James should have also won Defensive Player of the Year, saying it was a “tough one.”

Wright was slightly wrong on the exact numbers, but his stance stands, regardless. The actual 2012-13 MVP voting had 121 total ballots, and James received 120 first-place votes. Boston Globe writer Gary Washburn cast the single vote for Anthony. Washburn later explained he valued Anthony’s importance to a successful New York Knicks team. 

The controversy did not stop at the MVP award. Marc Gasol won the Defensive Player of the Year that season. Yet, Gasol only made the All-Defensive Second Team, while James made the First Team. Gasol remains the only winner of the defensive award to never make the All-Defensive First Team in his career.

To understand the complete debate, you have to look at just how dominant James’ stats were back in 2013.

Why LeBron James’ 2013 Season Still Leads to Debates?

James played 76 games and averaged 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per night. He also shot an elite 56.5% from the field and 40.6% from the three-point line. His play helped the team secure a 66-16 record and a 27-game winning streak.

He also bagged his 4th MVP award, a championship, the Finals MVP, and earned spots on the All-NBA First Team and the All-Defensive First Team.

Despite all that success, Washburn’s single vote for Anthony kept James from becoming the first unanimous winner ever. 

However, James has openly talked about the results. At his 2013 MVP ceremony, he joked about a writer from New York ruining his unanimous win. Years later, in 2024, he confirmed he remembers the voter and is holding the name for a future documentary.

Awards do not change the greatness of a player on the court. But they do shape the legacy debates we have years later. Do you think James was really robbed that season?