CLEVELAND — One MVP trophy wasn't enough for LeBron James.

James, who raised his game to another level while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to 61 wins in the regular season, said yesterday he's grateful to win the league's top individual award for the second straight season.

"It's another humbling experience," he said before the Cavs hosted Boston in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"It's hard to grasp, honestly. You put in a lot of hard work as an individual, you get an opportunity to showcase your talent with teammates that you love in a city that you love, it's great."

James is the 10th player in league history to be honored in consecutive seasons, joining Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan and Steve Nash. Russell, Chamberlain and Bird won it three times in a row.

"To be in that class with guys who won it back to back or won it period, and to be in those books is great," James said.

The 25-year-old averaged 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.6 assists this season.

ELSEWHERE

Suns' Nash rests: Phoenix playmaker Steve Nash sat out practice yesterday and will do so again today to rest his sore right hip. The two-time league MVP said the rest should make him ready for tomorrow night's Western Conference semifinal opener against the San Antonio Spurs.

Looking for a job: Former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson is scheduled to talk to the Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Hornets next week about their coaching vacancies. Johnson said he will meet with the Sixers tomorrow and Hornets on Tuesday in Texas.