Monday night, LeBron James received the Maurice Podoloff Trophy for the second time in as many years. The hardware is presented each year to the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. Being the MVP means different things to different people, but it is generally accepted that the award will go to the player who has proven himself to be the best of the best. It is the result of dedication, supreme talent and favorable on-court results. So few people achieve the honor that being named MVP almost certainly guarantees basketball immortality via enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.

So it’s a little puzzling that its winner would receive a Kia.

Question: Why did you pick a Bentley, instead of a Rolls-Royce or something else?

Answer: I always wanted a Bentley.

Q: Always?

A: Since I made it, that is.

Q: Did you have any special modifications, anything added?

A: No. I just wanted to get it. I didn't want to wait anymore.

Q: How long have you been waiting for this car?

A: About a year and a half.

Q: Did you pick the color? Silver with black interior?

A: Yeah. All my cars are silver, because it looks good with chrome wheels. It's a perfect match.

Q: What about during the winter?

A: I've got a Range Rover for that. This'll just be for the summertime and some nice days.

Q: What was your first car?

A: An Olds 98. I don't even remember what year it was. It was about as long as this building. I'd only drive about three days a week, because it cost so much to fill up.

Q: What do you like about the Continental GT?

A: It's classy, but it's sporty. And it's real comfortable, plenty of room.

Q: What do you want your license plate to say?

A: BIG SHOT. They call me Mr. Big Shot, but I don't know if I can get that many letters.

Source: Jamie Butters, Detroit Free Press

Photo: PATRICIA BECK/DFP

After a thoroughly unpleasant evening of basketball, Carlos Boozer must have been fairly keen to climb into his ride and get home quickly. Sadly, that wasn't an option for him last night after his Jazz were eliminated from the playoffs by the Lakers in a sweep. Before he could make it to the parking lot from his post-game obligations, this tweet from the LAL media guy showed up:

 And the driver of the media bus just backed into one of the Jazz's Escalades... doin' damage on our way out of SLC!! - @tynowell

Shortly thereafter, this tweet followed:

 And.... it's Carlos Boozer's Escalade. That's an even more unfortunate ending to his evening. - @tynowell

Ugh. Sorry, Carlos.