I would go even further and say if you put LeBron on ANY NBA team, that team would be in the playoffs. May be a first round exit team, but playoffs nonetheless.
Umm LeBron had one of his best regular seasons ever. Career highs in assists and rebounds. He didn't exactly "Coast."
Yes, the voting takes place before the playoffs. So, even if someone dies in Game 1 of the first round, it won't effect where they finish in MVP voting. BNM