Lol ESPN are doubling down now, it also probably doesn't help their case that Grantland has turned on them, lol
If it was a fanvote Harden would have no chance in hell. Most hated superstar in the league. It used to get to me...but then I realized people used to hate Lebron and Jordan too. People hate greatness.
Won't get it unfortunately. Regardless of whether he draws his fouls legitimately or not, the media and fans will always see him as a cheater or flopper and will prefer Curry's game as they deem it to be more asthetically pleasing.
It probably helps Harden that the average age of the voters is 45-50 or something. If the voters were under 30, Curry would probably win in a landslide.
I think the voters have a lot of different criteria though. Harden carrying a lesser team is the narrative that can lead him to this MVP. Especially if the Warriors start slipping as they seem like they just might. But yeah, people love Curry's game because that's how they play on NBA2k. Jack up 3s and crossovers. Harden plays a tougher game I'd dare to say and something more old school even.
I think there is a really strong chance that Harden will win MVP this season and the reason is that Harden has maintained a consensus number 1 or 2 spot in the race even with his recent 2 week slide in shooting. I can't see him struggling like this for an extended period of time. As soon as his shooting picks up again in the remaining 20 games or so he will snab the consensus number 1 spot.
Realistically, it's unlikely the Rockets will catch up to the Warriors record-wise, so it's up to Harden to really pump up his stats across the board compared to Curry. It can't be a split, or even a 60-40 split. IMO Harden needs to average more points, assists, rebounds, PER, TS and really dominate the individual comparison to really put his MVP bid in. Or if GS stumbles and the Rockets catch up, then I'd say it's in the bag for Harden.
Can someone clear something up for me. Hardens celebration. From what I understood, he's implying he's stirring the pot and something's cooking. But yesterday during the game one of the commentators said harden told him he's signaling that he's on an island??? Which is just not as good as stirring the pot. Someone please confirm this commentator is wrong
