The debate’s been fun, but consider MVP race settled
James Harden popped his jersey. And he walked off a winner with his left wrist heavily bandaged.
That’s all you need to know.
About the Rockets’ 51-win season and brutal beatdown of Oklahoma City’s one-man show. About the NBA’s troubling habit of resting superstars for national TV showcases. About the supertight MVP race that really should be over by now.
I felt bad for Russell Westbrook two months ago, the last time the Thunder were in town. Absolutely incredible player/athlete/humanhighlight machine. Surviving on an island with a bunch of other dudes and very likely to get bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
I sometimes lost sight of Mr. Triple-Double during
the final OKC-Rockets regular-season showdown at a celebratory Toyota Center. Clyde Drexler received an extended standing ovation. Lou Williams was almost perfect and often the second-best player on the court. Harden’s Rockets torched the Thunder 137-125, and it was worse than the score. They also captured the season series 3-1 and have 10 more victories than OKC, if you’re into winning as a missioncritical MVP statistic.
Westbrook finished with his standard ridiculous line: 39 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds. But Harden’s ex-teammate was off at the start, initially deferred too often, tried to take over too late, and spent the entire afternoon in a red-and-black hole.
The should-be MVP? No. 1 from opening tip to raining confetti.
If some voting holdout happened to click on the tube Sunday, they would have immediately seen what Houston has witnessed all season.
Harden: best player on the court.
Harden: team leader and igniter. Harden: real MVP. The first chant echoed through No. 13’s arena with 3:20 left in the first quarter. The last just preceded Harden’s standing near midcourt after another nationally televised W, his left wrist wrapped, on a day when the strongest all-around athlete in the NBA in 2016-17 popped his jersey like he was back at Arizona State and dancing in March’s Madness.
Don’t forget D’Antoni
“He could’ve easily gotten 40 points. … He just plays the game the way it should be played,” said Mike D’Antoni, who also should be getting closer to Coach of the Year.
A perfect-weather Sunday in downtown Houston was obviously just one of 82 games for the local crew. It was also a perfect symbol for the endless national MVP conversation that’s revolved around Harden and Westbrook since the Rockets’ season of rejuvenation began.
Quickly glance at the box score, and Westbrook clearly took the day. But watch the game flow, study all 48 minutes, and simply see what truly matters — 22 efficient points, 12 assists, five boards, Rockets easily up by 25 entering the final quarter — and it’s impossible not to be in awe of what a renewed Harden is creating.
The Rockets scored 79 points in the first half, shot 63.3 percent overall from the floor, drained 51.3 percent of their 3s, and assisted on a surreal 32 of their 50 made field goals.
Harden directed, guided and inspired it all. And when he had to kick in the turbo and totally dominate, he did. With 5 minutes left in the third period and the Rockets coasting by 22, Westbrook was forced to reach out and hold Harden, just to keep him from running away. With the quarter clock dwindling to zero, Harden pulled up for a nasty 25-foot 3 that sailed through the net and left Toyota Center roaring.
“James Harden is (the) MVP,” Rockets forward Ryan Anderson said. “He proved (it Sunday). He’s proved it all season.”
After Harden popped his jersey like a teenager, he could have rested the entire fourth quarter — or just taken Sunday off like other stars. He ended up with another W and his wrist wrapped in tape.
Will he play Tuesday versus Golden State? “Yeah,” Harden said. How’s his wrist? “It’s good.” Will he consider resting as the playoffs approach and with the Rockets locked into the Western Conference’s third seed?
Harden just grinned wide and soaked in the proud silence.
Brings it every game
“I don’t believe in resting,” Rockets guard Patrick Beverley said. “I think that’s bull. That’s a disgrace to this league. I think fans deserve better.”
Harden has been everything we hoped he could become and more as his next test approaches.
During a season when the NBA has clearly entered a golden age of throwback numbers — Westbrook going for a brilliant 39-13-11 is now standard fare — Harden has eclipsed and played through it all. In a year when LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have taken time off to prepare for the league’s second season, Harden has made it through all 73 games as the best player standing and still refuses to sit.
He takes over when he has to. He perfectly sets up Eric Gordon, Trevor Ariza and Nene when they need it. He’s already imagining late April and mid-May while still doing everything a Most Valuable Player always does.
“That’s going to go further in the playoffs,” Harden said. “We’re going to need everybody playing at a high level. And as long as they know I have confidence and trust in them … that’s going to get me further than anything else. That’s why I’m more happy about a win than anything.”
Harden doesn’t need 40 to prove he’s better than Westbrook in the year of the triple-double. He just gets the W. He better be the NBA’s MVP.