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Houston Rockets: Why James Harden isn’t a lock for the MVP

By Kenneth Cline

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 27: James Harden
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 27: James Harden /
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The 60-point night netted by the Houston Rockets’ James Harden against the Orlando Magic has brought up familiar conversations about him being named the MVP. But even so, this is a familiar road the Beard is going down. After being considered twice, it’s too soon to assume that he will be the MVP.  Here’s why.

Houston Rockets fans — so history was made a few nights ago. MVP candidate James Harden made history on both franchise and league level. On the franchise level, he became the all-time record holder for most points in a game with 60 points, breaking the previous mark of 57 held by Calvin Murphy. On the league level, he became the first player to collect a triple-double with 60 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

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Then, Harden led Houston to a victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Sorry Michelle Beadle, a diehard Spurs fan, who suddenly has to deal with a GIF of her acting like she doesn’t care. She may be afraid to be wrong, but as long as the Houston Rockets continue to win, we’re going to enjoy her acting like she can’t control the heart of a champion in Houston.

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Because of this performance, he has now jumped up as the front runner for the MVP-lead. Some have considered giving him the award already. But then again, they considered giving him the award before another superstar would emerge late and steal the trophy.

My Personal Thoughts

I hereby proclaim James Harden president of the Unfair but Understandable club.

  1. I’m not saying James Harden shouldn’t be the MVP because he should with how he’s playing.
  2. Here are my points before you get judgemental.

Harden’s performance against the Magic has thrown him back into the lead. But the question is, will he keep it up? Sure, LeBron James is on a Cavaliers team that is struggling. But then again, you have Golden State in the mix. And then, the Boston Celtics are becoming the biggest threat to King James’ chances of reaching the NBA Finals.

So aside from health, another reason that Harden would lose the award is the emergence of another superstar. Harden knows that feeling because he went through that phase not once, but twice.

Remember in 2015 when Stephen Curry won the award? There was a reason behind that. He led the Warriors to the best record in the NBA.

How about Russell Westbrook when he won the award? There was a reason behind that. He set a record with the most triple-doubles in a single season despite leading the Thunder to the eighth seed.

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Here’s where I struggle with the NBA MVP. There are absolutely no requirements as far as how the MVP should be won. You deny Harden the MVP because he either didn’t lead his team to the best record or didn’t carry his team to the eighth seed. Somehow, there’s this public perception that everyone hates Harden because he simply doesn’t play defense.

So Harden isn’t the Dennis Rodman of basketball in terms of defense. But let’s be clear. Without Harden, the Houston Rockets would not be in the national talks for good or bad reasons. In hindsight, you look back at those two years and realize that while it was unfair for Harden not to win MVP, it was understandable because both Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook had great seasons and were great stories for the NBA.

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Okay! Back to the point. They say that the third time is the charm and it seems like this could

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actually be the chance. But we’re in February and there are two months to go in the season. Anything can still happen. Harden could slump while LeBron James could catch fire. The Beard might score 29 points on a night when Kyrie Irving could score 50.

Anybody that dares get a tattoo of Harden winning the MVP award right now should take note that it’s still possible that someone could steal the MVP this year. But as far as I’m concerned, with the way Harden is playing right now, there is nobody that is close to overtaking him in the lead. That may change in the next two months.

But if Harden continues to play well and he overcomes the playoff struggles, then Hakeem Olajuwon will have company in the Houston Rockets NBA MVP club just like Jeff Bagwell had the company with Jose Altuve for MLB MVP.

Next: Houston Cougars Basketball: The best team that no one is talking about

Conclusion

Ultimately, we want Harden to win and we’re for sure certain that this season is Harden’s MVP to lose. Even if Harden doesn’t get enough love from the national public, there’s no denying he is putting Houston in the forefront of NBA champion contenders. In the end, the naysayers hate us so much they like us.

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