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LeBron James Scores Career-High 61 Points, MVP Debate Begins

LeBron James dropped 61 points on the Charlotte Bobcats Monday night which is the most points the four-time MVP has ever scored in one NBA game.
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For those of us who will never score 61 points in an NBA game, here's what it feels like. 

"It felt like I had a golf ball throwing it into the ocean." (Via WEWS)

LeBron James dropped a whopping 61 points on the Charlotte Bobcats Monday night which is the most points the four-time MVP and two-time NBA champion has ever scored in one game. (Via Twitter / @sbnation / @FEMSMagazine / @NBAMemes)

And while the 61 points is impressive, let's go over why it is also historic. 

LeBron James scored 61 points on 22 for 33 shooting, making his field-goal percentage 66.7 percent. There are only three other players with a percentage that high during a 60 point game in the last thirty years, and none of them also went 8 for 10 from the three point line. (Via Wikimedia Commons / Keith Allison)

James also set multiple records for the Miami Heat, including passing Glen Rice (56) for the most points ever scored by a Heat player in one game (61) and the most points ever scored in one quarter (25). (Via Fox Sports)

Miami's win over the Bobcats marks their eighth straight, and after scoring 61 points last night, everybody seems to have one question in mind. 

"I now think Kevin Durant is going to win the MVP."

"Yes, LeBron James has caught up Kevin Durant in the MVP race."

"If I had to vote for MVP today I still think it would still go to KD." (Via ESPN)

Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant had MVP race all but sewn up according to (pause) everyone less than a month ago, but since the All-Star break, many don't feel so sure anymore. 

"Carrying a larger load with Russell Westbrook out certainly bolstered Durant’s MVP case, but so did LeBron’s apathy. There was always a sense LeBron could reclaim his crown if he wanted to. Monday, it sure seemed like he wanted to." (Via CBS)

"This leaves us with the question of who is in prime position to win the MVP as we hit the three-quarter of the season next week. The beautiful answer is nobody." (Via NBC)

A little food for thought, though, LeBron James is nowhere near Michael Jordan in the NBA championship category. Another regular season MVP award would put him past not only Jordan but Wilt Chamberlain as well.