NBA MVP: James Harden or Steph Curry?

The Houston Rockets currently sit at 27-11 at the top of the Southwestern division and 3rd in the Western Conference. Guided by the steady hand of Kevin McHale through the integration of Josh Smith, Corey Brewer, and Alexey Shved, Houston has shown its mettle throughout the season. They’ve powered through injuries and excelled in spite of an offseason spent under the microscope of critics and fans alike.

How have they done it? Well, primarily it’s through the heroic efforts of a top-5 player in the NBA, James Harden. James averages (rounded) 27 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game while shooting at 60% true shooting. Truly this season he has taken the next level from mere stardom into the NBA’s premier elite (Regardless of what the All-Star sham voting says). Most notably, James has buckled down on defense earning a 100 defensive rating.

More from Houston Rockets

• Houston Rockets and Texans: Two different coaches with one glaring similarity
• Houston Rockets: Dig in, make threes, win series
• Houston Rockets: The time to make a statement is now
• Houston Rockets: Rest Russell Westbrook for remainder of the OKC series
• Houston Rockets: G2: What has put the team in driver’s seat against OKC

Despite all of these improvements and the banner year for James Harden, I’m afraid I’ve got some… Bad news. He’s not your MVP.

Now that I have your attention, this is a series about alternative MVP candidates. As Rockets fans, Harden is readily observed by this readership and with fanhood comes attachment. It’s time to detach.

Steph Curry is your MVP. Yes, the Golden State Warriors point guard is your MVP.

It’s a simple formula. Golden State is 29-5, the best record in the league (On pace for 70-12 season), and Steph Curry is the best player on that team. Curry has been the constant for Golden State during their ascension from a run-and-gun team worth picking for League Pass to a well-rounded title contender. Curry averages 23 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals per game. He posts a better defensive rating than Harden, at 98, and all at a lower usage rate than James Harden (28 to 31 respectively).

Jan 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after making a three point shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

What all of those numbers state is simply that Steph Curry is producing at an efficient rate and helping his team while dominating the ball less at the point guard position. Curry’s team currently hosts roughly an +11 point differential on the season as opposed to Houston’s +5. While the team’s results aren’t always indicative of a player’s success, it’s undisputed that transcendent players help bring their teams to transcendent results.

Curry has rounded his game out and elevated his performance in forcing turnovers on the year. James averages a 2.2% steal rate as opposed to Steph Curry’s 3.2%. Before that stat is passed off, it’s worth noting that the NBA’s most notorious thief, Corey Brewer, posts a 3.6% steal percentage. The Warriors have become the beneficiaries of a new approach that has allowed Curry to excel. The Warriors are turning that benefit into the fastest pace in the NBA and the best rated offense and defense in the league.

When you consider the numbers, the team record, and the contribution, Steph Curry, the best player on the best team in the NBA is the MVP.*

*Feel free to follow me on Twitter if you want to know my personal pick for the NBA MVP, this series will run regularly for a few weeks.