I would've liked to see Harden accept the MVP trophy in front of the home fans during the 2nd round of the playoffs.
gives them plenty of time to rig the mvp votes, and i assume anything else rockets win, including finals. espn - this just in the league will review the finals to see if rockets won the series
I don't like the format and timing of these awards. The NBA put it at the very end of the season cycle where nobody has any interest in basketball after the draft. At least, the NFL was smart enough to plug theirs the night before the Super Bowl to generate maximum interest. Still, these are regular season awards that should be handed out at the end of the season before the playoffs to ensure they matter. I would suggest the NBA do the following: the NBA season typically ends on a Wednesday and playoffs start on Saturday, therefore schedule the awards for that Thursday night in primetime like the draft. Set a ballot deadline of Wednesday night for all votes to be collected. This ensures timely announcement to maximize interest and hype for the playoffs. Imagine, if Harden or Westbrook was already awarded prior to the playoffs, then the ensuing drama would be that much heightened. The league needs to create a storyline about the MVP for the playoffs and all the teams that come after him because of that. Right now, if Westbrook is handed a trophy 2 months after getting bounced in the first round, nobody will care.
I agree, but Westbrook wouldn't have had that moment regardless, his season will be over after tonight.
Ugh, fan vote. I'd like the votes be decided by a committee of NBA retirees -- former players, coaches, executives -- nominated by the league before the season. Who cares what fans think? This shouldn't be a popularity contest, and that's all it amounts to when you leave it to social media voting.
So this season's NBA assist leader, the historic points produced leader, isn't even nominated for 'Assist of the Year'? Soooooo much salt.
Who cares though, it's six meaningless categories. Surprised the nominees weren't all westbrick plays in all the categories tbh.
I think that's his point. As great as the sheer amount of assists he was able to create, I don't recall a single assist that blew the roof of the building or had the crowd buzzing.
