Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James apparently set a goal for himself coming into the 2019-20 season to win his first NBA MVP award in seven years.

Speaking to The Athletic's Joe Vardon, Perkins recalled a text conversation he had with his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate before the start of the regular season.

"I sent him a text and I said, 'Look man, I've got Giannis ahead of you,'" Perkins said of his preseason MVP pick. "And that's when he texted me back and said, 'Oh don't worry, I'm gonna reclaim my throne.' And I was like, 'OK, well then do it mothaf--ka.' He's like, 'I am, mothaf--ka.'"

Coming off a 2018-19 MVP campaign, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was favored by Caesars Palace to repeat with +300 odds (bet $100 to win $300). James was tied for fifth with Anthony Davis (+700), behind James Harden (+350) as well as Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry, both of whom were at +600.

As the season progressed, it appeared as if Antetokounmpo had a clear path to winning the award again. The four-time All-Star was in the midst of a historic campaign with 29.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in 57 games.

Per Basketball Reference, Antetokounmpo's 31.6 player efficiency rating in 2019-20 is the seventh-highest in NBA history.

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James is averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and a career-high 10.6 assists per game for the Lakers. His 26.01 PER ranks eighth this season and 157th all-time.

Even though Antetokounmpo was likely still the favorite when the NBA suspended its season on March 12, James seemed to be closing the gap thanks to impressive performances against the Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers. He put up a total of 65 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds in those two games.

The Lakers (49-14) moved to within three games of the Bucks (53-12) for the NBA's best record when play was stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic.