HIS MVP CASE.
Harden claims to be the best in the NBA, so when he collects triple-doubles at a dizzying pace, what you see …
The chatter around this weekend’s All-Star Game has been about former teammates Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
Spectators are wondering if the best friends turned enemies will have a public display of rage on the court Sunday.
It helps that the two are having spectacular seasons and are in the mix for the NBA MVP award.
While all eyes are on that never-ending reality show of a situation, another one of their former teammates, James Harden, is staying free of drama and edging both as the top candidate for MVP honors.
When you look at what has transpired and how well Westbrook, Durant and Harden — who were an impressive trio in Oklahoma City five years ago — are playing, it’s hard to believe the Thunder had all of them at the same time.
After Durant left the Thunder to join the Bay Area’s super team, the three were separate entities.
A parting of the ways, so to speak
Harden broke off first to join the Rockets and has become the face of the franchise. Two years ago he had one of his best seasons as the team advanced to the Western Conference finals and he finished second in MVP voting to Golden State’s Steph Curry.
Last year, there was a drop-off. Harden’s defense was questioned as it has been throughout his career. He was criticized early in the season for being out of shape.
There were rumors about his chilly relationship with then-teammate Dwight Howard, his role in the firing of coach Kevin McHale, his high-profile courtship with a Kardashian. It was a step backward. A season later and it’s all forgotten. Harden, a 6-5 guard, has become the player we saw glimpses of two seasons ago He’s the leader of the Rockets. He’s a showcase of skills. And if the MVP were chosen today, it would be Harden. His stats speak volumes. Harden is averaging 29.2 points, 11.3 assists and 8.3 rebounds. He has 15 triple- doubles this season.
But beyond the personal numbers, Harden, 27, has led the Rockets to a 40-18 record. Last year, they finished the regular season 41-41.
He has helped a team that was supposed to be in a rebuilding mode over- achieve.
Along with coach Mike D’Antoni, he has given the Rockets a new identity.
Harden has been the most valuable player to his team this season. And he knows it. In a recent interview with Time maga- zine, Harden said (as he has many times this season) he is the best player in the NBA.
“For sure. I feel like I’m solid in everything: IQ, studying the game, I can score the basketball, make my teammates better,” Harden told Time. “There are not a lot of guys that have all those characteristics in one. They might be way more athletic, can shoot the ball way better. But everything solid in one human body?” Arrogant? Terribly so. True? Absolutely. And the belief in himself is necessary for him to produce his work.
“You can ask all those top guys who the best player is, of course they are going to say themselves,” Harden said. “Because as a basketball player you’re confident in your craft. It’s not taking shots at anybody. It’s a confidence.”
Various talents complementary
Whatever Harden tells himself, whatever support he gets from others, whatever he eats for breakfast these days — it’s all working.
He produces at a high level and makes everyone around him better. And it’s fun basketball to watch. There are things we can nitpick with Harden — I had a good laugh Thursday when I heard McHale joke about his defense on a radio show.
After the slight criticism, though, McHale heaped praise on the guard, saying Harden was as good an offensive player as he had seen and added Harden won the Rockets a lot of games during McHale’s reign and continues to do so.
Watching Harden go into that mode — where he simply takes over a game — is something only a handful of players can do and have done.
It’s good for the fans. It’s good for the franchise. It’s good for the city.
There’s a feeling in Toyota Center that. was missing last year.
This team has confidence and camaraderie. They have a clear leader.
The Rockets have an MVP.