Players react to LeBron James’ career-high 61 points on Twitter

Most around the league believe that the conversation for this season’s MVP is already over: It’s Kevin Durant’s award to lose.

While that’s probably true, it appears LeBron James may be interested in making a big run in the second half to make things more interesting for the voters.

James has been dominant this season as usual, shooting an unheard-of 58 percent from the field. His true shooting percentage is at 65.8 percent – better than Durant’s 63.6 percent – despite the difference in 3-point shooting and free throw shooting between the two players. However, he has simply been consistent with his approach more so than having enormous individual games to capture national attention. Until recently, that is.

Since the All-Star break, James has played five games. In every one of those games, he has shot 66.7 percent or better from the field, averaging 37.4 points. In Monday’s 124-107 victory against the Charlotte Bobcats, he was simply magical and historical, scoring a career and franchise-high of 61 points on 22-of-33 shooting.

A dominant five-game stretch isn’t going to win the voters over – Durant averaged 35.9 points on 54.9 percent shooting for an entire month back in January – but it’s certainly capturing plenty of attention as we look forward to what more the reigning MVP and champion has in store for the remainder of the season.

Some of the players around the league saw the performance and reacted accordingly on twitter:

 

Damn @KingJames !!!

— Damien Wilkins (@dwilkins3000) March 4, 2014

 

Sitting here watching “The Masked Man” showing why he’s the best in the game.

— Tracy McGrady (@Real_T_Mac) March 4, 2014

 

Lebron going off tonight. RT @MiamiHEAT: #HEATgame: @KingJames opens the 4thQ with 5 more points, now with 53 (8-8 3PT).

— Greg Anthony (@GregAnthony50) March 4, 2014

 

Poor Al Jefferson and his 38 and 19 on 18 of 24 shooting

— Dan Le Batard Show (@LeBatardShow) March 4, 2014

 

damn @KingJames 61 is tough. Congrats.

— Roy Hibbert (@Hoya2aPacer) March 4, 2014

 

Congratulations to @KingJames with 61 amazing points & electrifying the @AAarena crowd #TheGreatestShowOnEarth #LetsGoHeat

— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) March 4, 2014

 

Bron 61 crazy!

— DeJuan Blair (@DeJuan45) March 4, 2014

 

Pulled a Roger Maris huh…

— Andre Iguodala (@andre) March 4, 2014

 

@KingJames went for 61 #mvpraceheatingup

— Brevin Knight (@brevinknight22) March 4, 2014

 

Anytime @kingjames and I combine to score 64 points, it’s going to be a good night……proud of my teammate tonight. That was a game!

— Shane Battier (@ShaneBattier) March 4, 2014

Tweet of the Night definitely goes to Shane Battier.

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James Park is the chief blogger of Sheridan Hoops. You can find him on twitter @SheridanBlog.