On The Jump yesterday, ESPN’s writer Ramona Shelbourne unveiled her ballot for all the different awards in the NBA. Shelbourne is well-respected and well-sourced in Los Angeles. Therefore, it came as a surprise that the reason Shelbourne selected LeBron James over Giannis Antetokounmpo for MVP was narrative, not play. Shelbourne called herself a ‘narrative-based voter.’ I mean zero disrespect but why the fuck does she have a vote if that’s her criteria for voting? That’s a ridiculous way to do MVP voting and she should be embarrassed.

"Giannis might be leading in almost every single stat, but the Lakers haven't made the playoffs in a while so LeBron deserves MVP"

Cant make this stuff up. pic.twitter.com/3DeXgtnbjd

— Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion) August 12, 2020

Shelbourne should admit it is her LA bias. She lives in Los Angeles, has been covering the Lakers forever, of course, she going to have a preference. And guess what? It happens all the time. People select players and coaches from their area. It proves that most journalists are secretly fans even if they don’t want to be. Shelbourne enjoyed the Lakers being back to prominence and probably helping her career, therefore, an MVP vote for LeBron. Is this a sign of things to come? I hope not, but it would be the greatest motivation for Giannis that has ever existed during his time in the NBA.