Only question is whether Harden unanimous MVP
Some conversations are inevitable.
At this point in the NBA season, it’s impossible not to talk about James Harden as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.
It’s a familiar topic. Last year, all the chatter revolved around the battle between Russell Westbrook and Harden. Westbrook’s record number of triple-doubles earned him the award, but it was easy to argue Harden was the more valuable player.
Three years ago, the race was tight between Harden and Stephen Curry. Curry eventually won that MVP — his first of two in a row.
This year, the conversation doesn’t need to linger. No one needs to argue. No big discussions are necessary. Harden is the MVP. In fact, he makes a strong case to be a unanimous MVP.
His statistics speak for themselves. He’s leading the league in scoring with 31.4 points to go with 8.9 assists and 5.2 rebounds
per outing.
He’s on the best team in the league. The Rockets own the NBA’s best record (47-13) and have won 13 in a row. They look like the team to beat.
And while the Rockets are better all around — thanks to additions like Chris Paul, P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute and the improvement of Clint Capela — the main reason for their success is their bearded hero.
“I can’t imagine anyone else being the MVP this year,” Rockets guard Eric Gordon said. “He’s done so much for this team, and he just keeps bringing it every night.”
Harden brings something special to every game, whether it’s his scoring — he has hit the 50-point mark four times this season — his managing of the offense or even his defense, especially when matched against bigger players.
When the Rockets were short-handed Monday at Utah — Gordon, Capela, and Ryan Anderson were out — Harden came through with 26 points, 11 rebounds and five assists as they rode a small lineup to a 96-85 victory.
“He is at another level,” coach Mike D’Antoni said earlier this season. “I’ve never seen someone do some of the things he is doing.”
It doesn’t matter who the opponent is or the game situation. Harden is stepping up in the ways he’s needed.
With the addition of Paul, Harden has been able to showcase his skill off the ball more because he doesn’t always have to be the point guard, as he was last season. He continues to be the best in the league at drawing fouls, despite the fact the NBA literally instituted a rule to try to stop him from doing so.
Defenders constantly say he is the toughest to guard, and it shows via the frustration written all over their faces. A Eurostep that leaves someone tripped up at the top of the key, a drive that prompts someone to reach in and foul without even realizing it.
Harden plays low to the ground and creates a challenge for everyone on the court.
He’s the best player on the NBA’s best team. And no one is close right now.
LeBron James is likely second but hasn’t done enough to overtake Harden. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan and Curry also could be considered, but none is close to what Harden has been this season.
If there were any doubt to his dominance, his 60-point, 11-assist, 10-rebound performance against Orlando last month silenced a lot of his critics.
Harden has been the MVP runner-up twice. He’ll fare better this year. The only question is how much he will win by.
If he continues to play the way he has, he could become the second unanimous MVP in league history. It won’t be easy. It has happened only once for a reason. There’s time left, and Harden can convert voters into believers, especially if the Rockets continue to play at this high level.
The MVP conversation is here, but there’s really no debate. Harden should walk away with the honor.
He has been so close before, but this season he’s the easy and very obvious choice.