Harden wins MVP, Simmons named ROY

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — James Harden of the Houston Rockets is the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.

Harden beat out four-time winner LeBron James of Cleveland and Anthony Davis of the Pelicans.

The 28-year-old shooting guard averaged 30.4 points, 8.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds this season.

He joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average at least 20 points, eight assists, five rebounds and 1.7 steals in a season.

Harden led the league in scoring, 3-pointers and 50point games with four while helping the Rockets to an NBA-leading 65 wins.

He received the trophy at the NBA Awards on Monday night.

Harden, who is from Los Angeles, led his mother on stage before he accepted the trophy from Commissioner Adam Silver.

“I’m not going to get emotional,” he said from behind dark sunglasses. “She’s my backbone in good times and bad times.”

Harden and the Rockets fell to the Warriors in seven games in the Western Conference Finals.

James didn’t attend the show in Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport amid speculation about his future. He has until Friday to tell the Cavaliers if he will pick up his $35.6 million option for next season or opt for free agency.

Ben Simmons won Rookie of the Year over Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum. Simmons averaged 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, joining Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only rookies to post those numbers in a season.

Despite being fired by the Raptors last month, ex-Toronto coach Dwane Casey was named Coach of the Year. Casey led the Raptors to an Eastern Conference-best 5923 record. The Raptors, however, were swept by the Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs.

Casey has since become the Detroit Pistons’ head coach.