http://espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=frontpage&pollId=4715048 Even in Texas he is a distant second to curry. Go vote for Harden maybe we can go change Texas.
He gets love from the media now. That's all that matters, that's how narratives change and gives him a shot.
Grantland has Harden as MVP and they're one of the main drivers of discussion. If the Rockets somehow remain in the third seed and the Ws don't go on another amazing run, Harden has a great shot.
Pretty much everyone says its between Harden and Curry. So I wouldn't say he's not getting any MVP love. Many people don't like Harden because of the style of ball that he plays Curry has been the best player on the best team all year, so I'm not surprised he's winning some internet poll.
I think Clay Thompson is the best player on their team in certain games. We definitely don't have a 50 point scorer on our team as does Curry. The best player on the best team is just the media's way of justifying not giving it to the most deserved clearly Harden. If Harden played for ANY other team besides Houston it wouldn't even be close.
No disrespect dude but a Sports Nation poll is pretty worthless, like worthless. Sports Nation is just as terrible as First Take.
I was going to be like "meh", but that is actually kind of an alarming margin. Oh well, it's not news that the Rockets are America's new #1 heel. I haven't seen many rational fan takes about them since Howard came.
Did you watch the All-Star game? Literally every other commercial had Curry in it. Media has been pushing him hard, but the people "in the know" seem to realize that Harden is the MVP. Hopefully that holds up and we can swing the public perception.
Ever since the game against Phoenix on ESPN, Harden seems like he's finally getting MVP love from the national media. Fans will still hate because they just don't like Harden's game and think he's a flopper who cheats the system to shoot a bunch of free throws.
The media as a whole wants Curry to win over Harden. It's their preference. But Harden has played so well recently that they couldn't ignore it anymore. They would look very bad if they continued to ignore him. He played so well that they were essentially forced to say he's probably the MVP right now. Any little thing Curry does and they are quick to declare him the MVP. Harden has to move mountains before the media finally gives him his due.
I'm actually half convinced that the FO believes Harden getting the MVP is not a bad consolation prize to actually competing, and factored that in when deciding not to make a bigger move. Winning the MVP just puts you on a different platform. Rose won it, disappeared for a few seasons, and then returned to glorious fanfare....that wouldn't have happened if he hadn't won the MVP. Harden getting the MVP will raise the perception of Houston among free agents, which is already pretty high.
Most people I hear give Harden the vote. Houston's record needs to remain top 4 in the conference.. and it wouldn't hurt if Golden State fell back slightly.