Would Kyrie winning MVP over Harden be a travesty?

U said that Harden has a slight edge, and I’m like how?? You honestly think that giving the MVP to a guy who’s averaging 20, 3, and 5 on below average efficiency while not even being 1 of the 2 main reasons for his team’s record wouldn’t be a travesty?

The Rockets are 1st in the West and Harden is averaging 32 and 10 on godly efficiency. He has a 30 PER. Harden is playing like the best player in the game right now, and Kyrie isn’t even a top 10 player. This shouldn’t even be a discussion. Kyrie winning over Harden would be a travesty of the highest order.

Brad Stevens should win COY because Boston is playing so well, he’s their MVP. Kyrie shouldn’t get ****.

 

I also want to point out that Mike (D)'Antoni was on his way to retirement after his two straight failed attempts at coaching jobs in New York and Los Angeles. Sure, his use of pnr game and floor spacing makes an elite PG look even better, but if we're being honest he ain't **** w/o an elite play-maker in the first place. The whole Jeremy Lin thing was an outlier and was never meant to last that long. Other than that, MDA benefited more from Nash and Harden than the other way around.

On the other hand, it seems pretty clear to me that Brad Stevens is the driving engine of this Celtics team. It is common knowledge that defense is the area where the coaches can impact the game in most meaningful way. That's why guys like JVG specialize on defense; not that he doesn't care about offense, but if the coach does a great job, you can actually build up a decent defensive unit out of average defensive players. It just takes well-coordinated execution and communication between all five players on the court, which is easier said than done.

Offense is more based on player talent, and in extreme cases even a single player can carry the team's entire offense w/o any help from the coaching staff.

 

Yup. Stevens is approaching Pop levels if he can see this thing through

 

Y'all jumping the gun too damn quick. It's only November, lol.

 

Why does a mavericks fan like swyyyguy spend so much time on a Rockets board? I don't understand.

 

It's still very early in the season so I can't make any sort of definitive MVP declaration, but for the same of this thread let's say the season ended today.

If so, giving the award to Irving would in fact be a travesty.

The basic argument for Kyrie appears to be something like "They are winning in spite of losing Gordon Hayward, an all-star player. They are the best team in the East right now and playing better than expected. Kyrie is their best player."

Let's pick that a part for a moment and compare to James Harden.
"Winning in spite of..."
Irving has lost Gordon but Harden has lost Chris Paul. When viewing supporting cast aside from the two players in question, you definitely can't make a strong argument that Harden is playing with a superior roster. Horford would be our second best player and we'd love to have those young explosive guys.

"Best team in the East..."
Irving shouldn't get credit for the Cavs getting old overnight and giving up on defense. The Rockets are trading best record right now with the historically greatest team in the league in the Warriors. It isn't James Harden's fault that Irving gets to play in the East.

"Playing better than expected..."
Um...the Celtics were the best team in the East last year. They traded IT for Irving and then added a top 5 pick to their roster. Yes, they moved around some role players to make room for Gordon, but so what? Tatum and Brown are high level players filling those roles. Meanwhile the Rockets moved tons of depth to bring in Chris Paul who then didn't play all but 2 games and we have the best record in the West anyway. If anything we are outperforming OUR expectation just as much or more than the Celtics.


Those are the "intangible" arguments. The statistical arguments are of course a joke. Harden is having the best statistical season in the league.

There is no way this should be "close" beyond the anti-Harden narrative and a trifecta of pro Boston favoritism: love for Brad Stevens (well deserved), the Kyrie "out of Lebron's shadow" narrative and sympathy over the Gordon Hayward injury.

That's it.

 

talk about confused..

 

sorry for outing you

 

Kyrie has like 20/5/3(?) on 43% shooting.

Really?

Horford is playing better than Kyrie.

 

It'd be a travesty to me to give Kyrie the MVP this year, but not have given it to IT last year...

The Celtics are a better team now, but IT was having a much better season than what Kyrie has shown so far this year.

 

you're a proven mavsprick stop denying it...

you're just discussing Irving even though he's not even the best player on the Celtics because the Rockets are winning while your Mavs are garbage

go to the NBA dish and discuss the Mavs all you want

 

Kyrie's stats are not anywhere near MVP level. Shooting 32% from 3, 43% overall, 3 boards, 5 ast - his PER is just 22. Heck Clint Capella is a better candidate for MVP than Kyrie. But seriously the usual suspects Harden, LBJ and now Giannis A are putting up stellar numbers a couple of tiers higher than Kyrie.

 

i can see Kyrie winning MVP if he avgs. a triple double for the season.