Heat forward LeBron James is the NBA's MVP for a third time, putting him alongside some of the game's greats.

A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that James was set to be announced on Saturday as this year's winner of the league's top individual honor, and that he'll be formally presented with the trophy by Commissioner David Stern on Sunday afternoon before Miami hosts Indiana in Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league has not announced the results. Late on Friday night, the Heat released plans for a Saturday event at AmericanAirlines Arena so the team and the NBA could "make a major announcement".

James is winning the award for the third time in four seasons.

Only seven other players - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Moses Malone - have at least three MVP trophies.

Associated Press

(China Daily 05/13/2012 page7)