Harden has 9 more points per game, game in game out. This game is about getting buckets and winning. Harden is getting buckets at a historical pace that will be remembered for ages. Giannis is not getting wins at any pace that anyone will care about historically. His team wins are good and all, but they're nothing on the history page. Give the MVP to the guy they'll be talking about for years to come.
Regardless they have the best record in the NBA and Giannis and Harden are a statistical tie when it comes to advanced stats. You can make a case for either, and it's not an easy decision. But it's hard to not pick Giannis given he is on the best team this year. Honestly they should be co-MVPs
If thats the case harden should have at least 2 mvp awards now Plus giannis carried a healthy very good team/coach to be the best team While harden carried a injury plagued good team and coach to be a very good top 5 team
You are right, Harden should have had 2 if the MVP was awarded in a consistent manner like it is more in baseball. This is the problem that a lot of people don't understand - the MVP is a media award for the player who has had the best story. It was Curry before and then Westbrook with his triple double season, then Harden with the 65 wins and phenomenal season. This year who has the best story from a media perspective? Is it Giannis or Harden? It's tough. Giannis has the same numbers and the best record as well as being a fresh face to the MVP race, Harden has the incredible records and bringing his team back from dead, but he already won it. It's subjective - you can make a case for either and not be wrong. Who has the best story? We think it's Harden because we are Rockets fans, but ultimately it's the media that votes and there is no set criteria. And my sense is that they will pick Giannis.
So far the Bucks are 3-2 since Brogdon went down with his injury with wins against Miami, Cleveland and LA. They could realistically go 4-4 in their last 8 games (4 losses being to Houston, LA Clippers, 76ers and OKC). I hope recency bias would play into this and influence the voters' thinking of how Giannis can barely keep his team above .500 with his PG out (but Bledsoe and Middleton are still on the team) while Harden got the Rockets to move up the standings with our 2nd and 3rd best player missing significant time.
Harden should also avoid getting hit in the face tomorrow as well it should help greatly. Seriously though a few things of note from the first matchup The Rockets got demolished in the 3rd quarter - this is something that has been a problem all season but since the all-star break the Rockets have done really well with their 3rd quarters. They have had 2 major duds against the Raptors (outscored by 20) and the Sixers (by 14) have really shored up that area where they are not getting regularly outscored by 6+ in the third. Secondly the Rockets did not have Gordon or Paul playing in that game at all. Same with Faried (who was not with the team yet) The Rockets primarily played 6 guys that game (Tucker, Capela, House, Harden, Rivers and Green) with Ennis and Knight combining for 18 minutes and Clark playing 5. This is a totally different team the Bucks are facing. Harden dropped 42 last time with the Bucks playing a new style of defense which they can't do again because 1) he has learned from it and 2) he has his 2nd and 3rd scoring options back on the team.
Eastern conference is weak, you can see Kawaii in 2nd place of eastern and Leborn cannot even get into western playoff. The eastern result can be ignored. Giants is just getting AD statistic, if u give it to Gianns, it is unfair to AD.
