Harden’s MVP glory 2nd fiddle to LeBron’s decision
James Harden was finally named NBA MVP. And the face of the Rockets franchise was overshadowed by a king who wasn’t even in attendance.
Good thing LeBron James kept a low profile during the league’s annual awards show, which was more boring than useful and highlighted by Bill Russell giving the old-fashioned No. 1 salute to Charles Barkley.
The Rockets cleaned up. Daryl Morey, now the NBA’s reigning Executive of the Year, received the recognition he deserved.
But the buildup was all about LeBron, LeBron, LeBron. The day after was devoted to potential clues left by the absent king. And until James makes his initial summer of 2018 decision — to opt-in or not — this sporting city and the basketball world are literally waiting for a sign.
The Rockets have two international superstars in Harden and Chris Paul. But James is the ultimate franchise-changer and instantly would turn Tilman Fertitta’s team into the biggest thing in town.
Magic Johnson told the media Tuesday that he’ll “step away” if he doesn’t revive the overhyped Los Angeles Lakers with star power by next summer. Philadelphia, Cleveland and the Rockets are in official
wait-and-see mode. All because of James, who became the biggest story of the summer the moment Golden State beat his team in the NBA Finals for the third time in four years. LeBron, LeBron, LeBron. What’s he thinking? What does he really want? Is family truly everything or does the endless pursuit of championships still rule the day? Where’s he going (again)? Or maybe he’s just going to stay home and wait for his statue in Cleveland.
The Rockets almost had everything they needed last season. They still want to add James to Harden and Paul. And what team worth its weight in billions wouldn’t feel the same?
“We were a half away from the Finals, so I don’t think there is a piece that we need to bring in or take away,” said Harden, after he joined ex-Oklahoma City teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the NBA MVP list. “We’re great with what we have, from top to bottom, from the front office to coaching staff to players, personnel.
“Our main focus is just getting better, getting healthier and doing what we do. You’ve got to realize it’s Chris and P.J. (Tucker) and Luc (Mbah a Moute) and all those new guys, it’s their first year. Look where we got to. Imagine a little bit more time together, it can get pretty scary.”
Imagine The King, The Beard, CP3 and Clint Capela on the same hardwood, proudly wearing the same uniform. My gosh. Harden is somewhat right. The Rockets were a half away from reaching the Finals for the first time since 1995 — and would have beaten James’ team, had they made it that far.
The theory also conveniently forgets the fact the Warriors also were without key starter Andre Iguodala. And the age-old truism that until you beat them, you simply haven’t.
The Rockets blew huge leads in games 6 and 7 of the Western Conference finals — the last on their home court — and again couldn’t overcome the NBA’s newest dynasty.
The league’s newest regularseason MVP also shot just 22of-53 from the field and only connected on 6 of 25 3-pointers while committing 14 turnovers during the two final playoff games he was without Paul. The Rockets lost both of those, and Harden’s team — exhausted, unable to finish — again wore down in the playoffs.
The same Rockets, a year older and with key veterans pushing past their primes, are going to stay perfectly healthy next season? They don’t need the addition of the second-greatest basketball player of all time with Golden State still towering above the world?
The Warriors aren’t going anywhere. James might be. Thus, the silent pursuit. This is the closest the Rockets have come to adding The King. They won’t get this near the throne again.
Every sign and everything matters right now. Even on a night when the face of the Rockets won the MVP.