Harden named NBA’s MVP
Third time was the charm for James Harden. The Houston Rockets star was voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player after twice being runner-up. This time, Harden beat out fourtime winner LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Pelicans in voting announced at the NBA Awards ceremony on Monday night.
Harden joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average at least 20 points, eight assists, five rebounds and 1.7 steals in a season. He led the league in scoring, three-pointers and 50-point games, with four, as he helped the Rockets to an NBA-leading 65 wins and a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
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.”
James didn’t attend the show in Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport amid speculation about his future.
Ben Simmons of the 76ers won Rookie of the Year after averaging 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and helping lead the Sixers back to the playoffs after a five-year drought. Simmons beat out finalists Donovan Mitchell of the Jazz and Jayson Tatum of the Celtics.
Dwane Casey won Coach of the Year for his work with his now-former team, the Toronto Raptors. Casey led the Raptors to a team-record 59 wins and the No. 1 seed in the East for the first time in franchise history. But after another loss to the James-led Cavaliers in the playoffs, Casey was fired last month. He is now coach of the Pistons. He won over Quin Snyder of the Jazz and Brad Stevens of the Celtics.
The Jazz’s Rudy Gobert was named Defensive Player of the Year for anchoring a Utah defense that ranked second in defensive rating. Victor Oladipo of the Pacers won the Most Improved Player award. Lou Williams of the Clippers won Sixth Man of the Year.
⏩ The Pacers are parting ways with Lance Stephenson, a guard who brought energy off the bench in last season’s surprising playoff run.