Cleveland Cavs swingman LeBron James, perhaps the most potent NBA weapon since Michael Jordan, claimed the league MVP prize Monday, running away with the voting.

He netted 109 of the 121 first-place votes, blowing away the next closest candidate, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, last year’s winner, who earned two first-place votes.

This is a place where all my dreams started and where I thought they could become real," James said at the ceremony in the Akron, Ohio, gym where he received the honor. "There's really not a better place.

When the total vote count was tallied, James acquired 1,172; Bryant, 698; Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, 680 (including seven first-place ballots); Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, 328; and New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, 192.

I'm 24-years-old and I'm receiving this award, I never thought it would happen this fast," said James, who was given a car along with his MVP trophy.  "I never dreamed about being MVP, but if I said I didn't enjoy this award I'd be lying. Hard work pays off and dreams do come true."