James Harden says MVP rival Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘up there’ with the best

JAMES Harden believes Giannis Antetokounmpo is “up there” in the race to be crowned NBA MVP, but the Greek forward said “I don’t know if I’m there yet” after he inspired the Bucks to a 116-109 victory over the Rockets.

Antetokounmpo scored 27 points, grabbed a careerhigh 21 rebounds and added five assists Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) in Houston.

Harden extended his Nba-record streak of recording at least 30 points and five assists to 14 games, pouring in a game-high 42 points in the loss.

The Rockets guard could win back-to-back

MVPS if he maintains those standards, but says

Antetokounmpo has every chance of claiming the honor.

“He’s up there,”

Harden said. “He’s definitely

[elite], just the way he impacts the game.”

However, Antetokounmpo, 24, downplayed his prospects of claiming the NBA’S most prestigious individual prize this season.

“To be honest with you, all I care about right now is getting better, helping my team win,” he said. “And [the MVP award] is going to take care of itself.

“I know that one day it might happen. I don’t know if I’m there yet, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there, because that’s what I want to be.”

Rockets coach Mike D’antoni also was full of praise for Antetokounmpo but said it is too early in the season to be discussing who will be named the best player in the league.

“He’s not normal,” D’antoni said of the socalled “Greek Freak.” “I mean, that guy is 7 feet and has the [body] control, and all that he does. The guy is a great, great player, so he’s in the [MVP] conversation, because they’re playing so well. And he should be, but we’ve got a lot of basketball left.

“We’re only halfway there. He and James are up there with a couple of other guys, and it’ll sort itself out.”/foxsports.ph