LeBron James has taken home the NBA MVP award the last two seasons, and he certainly deserved it each time. This year, however, it would be tough to make an argument that he deserves a third straight over Kevin Durant. The Oklahoma City Thunder star is having the best season of his career, averaging a career-high 32.0 points and 5.5. assists per game.

Even LeBron knows it would be difficult for him to make a case for the MVP over Durant.

“I would say he’s the most consistent basketball player as far as the MVP this year, man,” James said Wednesday, via ESPN.com’s Miami Heat Index. “He’s put up some great numbers.”

Anytime you do something Michael Jordan didn’t do, you’re probably having a legendary season. Durant passed Jordan’s mark of most consecutive games with at least 25 points this month when he dropped 25-plus in 41 consecutive games. Durant is a three-time NBA scoring champion but is still searching for his first MVP.

“I think KD has had one heck of a season,” LeBron added. “And, you know, if he’s rewarded with the MVP, it would be great. It would be awesome for him, for his family. He’s played MVP-type basketball. I don’t really get caught up into what people say. At the end of the day, they have their own votes and they go from there.”

Durant is also averaging 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game to go along with his career highs in points and assists. LeBron is averging 26.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game, which is a slight decrease from his MVP seasons.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Durant’s 2013-2014 season is that he has kept the Thunder near the top of the Western Conference despite Russell Westbrook appearing in just 43 games. He has carried Oklahoma City through the regular season, and the numbers reflect that. The hardware should, too.