James Harden is gonna get screwed over again in MVP Voting

Harden will probably get less 1st place votes than Westbrook from the ESPN voters and voters from NBA.com, but hopefully he still gets a decent amount of 1sts and is still top 2 in most of their ballots. Then we just gotta hope that the rest of the media guys who aren't affiliated with agenda driven places like ESPN will focus on things like winning and not be so enamored with the triple double when Harden is almost averaging one as well. Those are the majority of the voters and that is where Harden should rack up his 1st place votes and where you should see Westbrook getting 3rd and 4th place votes.

 

Many voters don't like the way Harden draws fouls. They hold that against him.

 

Nobody's 100% objective. Most people's views on various subjects are based on personal preferences and then they come up with rationalization only after the fact to justify whatever position they hold (This also applies to many users on this forum.) I'm not a media conspiracy proponent, but there really seems to be a reluctance or hesitancy from the media to give Harden the MVP nod due to his general style of play or defensive reputation. Whatever the reason is, Westbrook is definitely more favored on a gut level.

That being said, some of Bayless' point on WB was fair. He is shooting his career best on threes, and while still not good, WB's 3PT% is not that far behind from Harden's. This is somewhat of a disappointment because one of Harden's main strengths over WB used to be that Harden is a better 3PT shooter. Now, I'm not so sure. Regardless, Harden is still much more efficient scorer, but then you have to go into things like eFG% and TS%, which these dumb 'analysts' on TV never talk about.

Also, WB's play-making ability has really improved since the ASB. Is Harden really a significantly better PG than Westbrook is? It feels that way, but the numbers don't back that up.

I don't know, but I have a bad feeling about Harden's MVP case. Harden better show up in the upcoming games against OKC and GSW; it's his last chance to leave a strong impression on national TV.

 

many voters didn't like Westbrook's chucking, but that's changed this year and now his style of play is being celebrated...this is the same media that was saying that he was 1 of the main reasons why KD left OKC

 

Just posted this in the Dish, but I'll say it here too:

The crappiest part about all of this is that I actually LOVED Westbrook before this season started. He was my favorite non-Rocket in fact. But, the media, like they ALWAYS do, completely ruined a good thing by pounding the stat-padding, while at the same time ******** all over Harden's accomplishments. Westbrook's selfishness this season is somewhat justified because every time he posts a ridiculous stat line (W or L), ESPN and NBA.com lose their minds over it. And that to me is the saddest part about all of this.....the media's short-sighted, agenda-driving, snarky, belittling ways have actually impacted the way the games are being played. **** them.

 

I just hope the guys come out strong Sunday and for one time they all play this very seriously to help James, i hope we blow them up by 20...i also hope Pat is going to be in good shape.

 

Remember when some people called out Harden for not performing at an MVP level during certain stretches of January and February, and then clutch homers got all mad and called those people haters to defend Harden no matter what? Well, if Harden loses out to Westbrook, his performance during that stretch will be the primary reason. Harden's shooting %, turnover numbers, and team record all took a significant hit during that time span.

Imagine if Harden was shooting over 45% FG and 37% 3PT; it was Westbrook instead of Harden that lead the league in turnovers; and Houston was on pace to win 60+ games. This MVP race would not even be close.

 

Media can get swayed and influenced easily. NBA's TV partners are ESPN/ABC and TNT.

ESPN/ABC NBA Countdown
Beadle: Kawhi
Rose: Westbrook
TMac: waffles
Billups: not sure he has given a prediction

TNT
EJ: Westbrook
Shaq: Westbrook
Smith: Westbrook
Barkley: Harden!

FS1 crew (Cowherd,Whitlock,McIntyre,Wright,Broussard) is pretty irrelevant other than social media

Is there any other TV personality that has stumped for Harden?

So, did Doris Burke give Westbrook the MVP nod last night? She was pro Harden in December, so if she changed her mind then so be it. But also, the season isn't over yet.

FYI: here were the media voters for the MVP last year
http://official.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/04/2015-16-Most-Valuable-Player.pdf

Also know, if the media is easily swayed by the last thing they saw, Westbrook will have the last impression. When the games are over, then people will focus on the final season stats which will be Westbrook's triple double accomplishment.

James Harden (and his teammates) better perform with urgency and at a high level in the national TV games of OKC, GSW, at GSW.

 

Versus teams with .590 winning pct or better (CLE, BOS, WAS, TOR, GSW, SAS, UTA, LAC, and HOU for Westbrook)

Harden
19 games (Team record:10-9)

Per game averages:
30.7 ppg, 11 apg, 7.8 rpg

Westbrook
25 games (Team record: 12-13)

Per game averages:
30.2 ppg, 9.4 apg, 9.7 rpg


So Harden with a slightly better record and a little more points per game, almost 2 assists more a game.

Westbrook still with the 2 rebound a game advantage on James

But no triple double vs. good teams!

 

What are the shooting percentages for both of them?

 

Nash was a media darling back then. Kobe was, too, but team success actually mattered that season, as it should.

It, clearly, to many voters, does not this year.

 

Welcome back

 

3 things about this...

1) Basically confirmed he's voting for Westbrook. Stein was a big "Best player on best team" supporter the last few years, so funny, yet expected, to see him change his tune.

2) You can most certainly not make a case for Lebron based on anything except reputation, unless you're just a fanboy.

3) Kawhi and Harden both have had better seasons than Westbrook when taking into account all logical aspects of criteria, but that doesn't matter. Neither of them averaged a triple double, which will be their undoing.

 

JVG threw his name in the hat for Harden. Not sure if he has a vote though...

 

Harden: 45.5%

Westbrook: 39.3%

 

My spurs fan roomates discredit harden for everything he does because the perception of gimmicky fouls, no defense, traveling, and turnovers.

They never even watch him play...

 

of course...the difference in efficiency isn't even surprising

 

Westbrook plays harder and has worse teammates, which explains the difference tho.

 

Stephen A Smith

 

I really wish LeBron would be dropped from the conversation. There's still time left in the season, but right now, the Cavs are struggling badly despite having everyone back from injury and are one of the worst defensive teams in the league.