http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24988629/zach-lowe-crazy-predictions-2018-19-nba-season A James Harden repeat seems weirdly improbable. Why is he not the overwhelming favorite? He finished second, ninth, second and first in the past four seasons. What changed? But last year's win felt like a collective shoulder shrug from voters: "Fine, fine. Maybe you should have won the year before. Your team won 65 games. We don't like watching you play, so please take the trophy and let's agree not to revisit this." Spoiler http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24988629/zach-lowe-crazy-predictions-2018-19-nba-season Giannis Antetokounmpo wins MVP and makes an All-Defense team Milwaukee finishes third in the East, ahead of Philly Kevin Durant signs with the Knicks Kristaps Porzingis plays in 20 or fewer games Four teams win 60 games Kemba Walker re-signs in Charlotte Khris Middleton gets almost $30 million per year Nikola Jokic makes his first All-Star team Denver declines its team option on Paul Millsap and re-signs him for less Al Horford does his version of the same thing Marc Gasol opts out and leaves Memphis Denver hosts a first-round playoff series Anthony Davis wins Defensive Player of the Year New York trades Courtney Lee Sacramento does not receive a first-round pick for renting its space Boston receives two of three possible extra first-round picks Portland and Washington implode Terry Rozier wins Sixth Man of the Year (and stays the season) Malcolm Brogdon turns down the Josh Richardson extension Spencer Dinwiddie turns down an extension Kawhi Leonard (maybe) signs with the (maybe) Clippers Cleveland trades Kevin Love and Kyle Korver Orlando trades Nikola Vucevic but keeps Aaron Gordon The never-ending decline in offensive rebounding continues The Clippers trade two of Lou Williams, Tobias Harris, Patrick Beverley and Avery Bradley Utah re-signs Ricky Rubio Golden State becomes the first team with two 50/40/90 players Phoenix trades for Tyus Jones Willy Hernangomez supplants Frank Kaminsky as Charlotte's backup center The eight East playoff teams are Boston, Toronto, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Indiana, Miami, Washington, Detroit. The eight West playoff teams if Minnesota trades Butler are Golden State, Houston, Oklahoma City, Utah, Denver, Lakers, New Orleans, Portland. The eight West playoff teams if Minnesota keeps Butler/everyone doesn't murder each other are Golden State, Houston, Oklahoma City, Utah, Denver, Lakers, New Orleans, Minnesota. And the winner is ... Golden State over Boston in 6.
It still amazes me how much people hate James Harden for being good at basketball. They can't stand the guy..
haren needs to stop being fat, delete that bird's nest, shave his head, and do gimmicky curry dances after every made shot.
happens to all the greats. Steve Nash and the league were criticized for winning it over Kobe, who is one of the most hated players of all time along with a guy named LeBron who is compared to Jordan. All the greats are hated.
'He' doesn't win 70 games, the team does (this drives me crazy in sports...the ultimate team games, and everyone suddenly forgets that). Yes, if ROCKETS won 70 games it would be hard not to give him MVP. Is that likely to happen, no. But who are the competitors? KD or Steph. Will, probably just KD. Steph would have to have a GINORMOUS year to win it again. But with all those stars its harder to win MVP. LeBron? Lakers would have to become one of the best teams in the West. Yes, LeBron did that in the East, but the West is much harder. I don't see it happening this year. Anthony Davis? Deserves more consideration than he gets, but I don't see the Pelicans winning enough for him to get it. Westbrook? Nope, he would need to become even more of a stat hound...and that would make the Thunder worse.
There is a difference though: Nash, Lebron, Jordan, Kobe, etc may be hated, but they were respected. Fans and journalists didn't dismiss their game like they do Harden. As dominate ass Harden is, he is the butt of every joke. He is gleefully disrespected.
Fair point, I think its more of a new age were in with social media and hot takes shows. Once Harden retires with his two NBA Finals rings and two MVPS he will be remembered as an all time great
There is a HUGE difference. Nash was "hated on" for winning over Kobe. HE wasn't hated on though, just him winning over Kobe. It would be similar to if Harden beat Westbrook that year, all of the old school guys would have been mad because of Westbrook's triple double. But you are right, Harden just gets flat out hated on. They think he ruins the sport. Dribbles too much, flops too much, abuses the rule, boring, no defense, etc. On top of that Isola made it clear that a lot of media folks simply don't like him as a person.
I was told that Jams Harden flopped, fooled and tricked his way to finishing in the MVP balloting: 2nd, 9th, 2nd and 1st the last 4 years. He also flopped, fooled and tricked his way to leading the league in scoring and assists. And being the only All Star on his team pushing his team to the best record. Quite the magician! (Bottom line, "aesthetics" play a HUGE role in this. Harden is methodical. He is ground bound. He is a tactician. Media/Fans like loud emotional players, high flyers, dunkers etc. They likes the less threatening baby face sweet Curry.)
Media bias is the only reason Harden doesn't have multiple MVP's. It's the only reason he isn't considered a favorite going into this year as well. Harden ain't winning again. It's fine. He got one, so I'm happy. But Harden will inevitably have a better season than other candidates, yet will get voted behind them because of "fatigue", and "boredom", and "narrative".
He's just a weird combo of everything that the media doesn't like. I don't think it's any ONE thing. He's not a good personality for the media to latch on to, he doesn't play "fierce", he's part of the Rockets "Moreyball" team which has built in hate (just like Moneyball did), he's into strippers, he's not a "family man", he's not an athletic marvel, he's not popular with old school players, he's not a fair haired son, he's not some elite shooter, etc. It all just adds up. They all probably have a different one of the above list that matters most, but some combination of the above is what makes him easy to hate for a lot of people. To top it ALL off? He's good. He keeps proving them wrong. Both about himself and about the Rockets. Remember that a lot of people in the media are anti-analytics (in every sport) and they've been laughing at the Rockets for the approach. Harden's success doesn't just prove them wrong about HIM, it helps validate Morey. So he gets hated on for that as well.
Harden has to give birth, first. DO YOU GUYS SEE HOW PREGNANT HE IS? Can't carry all that baby weight into the regular season. But honestly, I voted "it's not happening." Rockets have to win 74+, Harden has to average at least 30/12/11 and Chris Paul and Melo have to cannibalize each other for Harden to even have a slim chance. Meanwhile, all Lebron and Davis have to do, is get HCA with their respective teams. All Giannis has to do is get Milwaukee to a top 2-3 seed. All Kawhi has to do is win the East. Not saying it's impossible for Harden and the Rockets, but when he has to do so much just to be considered, and everyone else doesn't have to be all-world...it pretty much is.
lol what do you mean they still wanted to give it to lebron? they GAVE it to harden! y'all make me sick. harden WON the effing mvp and y'all still aren't happy. wtf else y'all want?
