Shave his beard and pretend he's not James Harden. They had voter fatigue for James the moment they submitted their vote last year.
It would be very hard for Harden to win the mvp again especially now that Lebron is in LA and all the media is infatuated with the Lakers being “ contenders” again. Which they haven’t even prove they can make it to the playoffs. If they make the playoffs, even as 8 seed they will vote for Lebron. But I’m okay with Harden having very little chance at getting it. This way he focus on playing well and playing for the team instead of trying to do too much. This year is about us winning the championship other awards don’t matter.
As long as he doesn't turn into 2017-18 Westbrook and the Rockets don't turn into the 2017-18 Thunder, there is no reason why he couldn't win it again.
If they won 70 games there is a chance. Also, if he did something crazy like break Wilt's single game scoring record while having a standard James Harden MVP level season maybe that could do it. But they really don't like to give it to the same player too frequently. It's crazy to think Dream only won it once. But Kevin Durant only won it once too. Kobe only won it once. Dirk only won it once. Shaq only won it once. Barkley. Dr. J. Both only won it once. Strangely Steve Nash won it twice as did Karl Malone. Like tell me those guys were better than any of the guys I just named.
Probably need to do at least 5 of the following 6: - win 74 games - average over 30 points AND 10 assists per game - have one crazy high scoring game (i.e. “Kobe Bryant 81 point game”) - publicly praise refs attention to points of emphasis (I mean education) as well as praising Adam Silver’s leadership - publicly criticize President Trump like Kerr, Popovich, and LeBron do (clever trolling does not count) - sign an affidavit that promises he will have a “proper”, lengthy, well-rehearsed, tear-jerking, anecdotal MVP speech prepared, and that he will under no circumstance say “swag” How badly do you want it, James?
The only way I see him getting it is if the rockets have an incredible record AND he puts up a ridiculous number of assists . If the rockets win over 60 again and he averages something like 26/15/5 on very efficient shooting ; I can see that being too good not to give MVP to . Also he can't have any defensive lapses because then he'll be on Shaqtin' and that will automatically disqualify him
Apparently there is a thread why he is not as loved by America because he frequents strip clubs.. Too bad though cause James Harden is on top of my list of people I would love to party with before I die!
Honestly I don't think it's going to happen again, the only way for him to have great chance is to have 70+ season, stats line like 29,8,9, get another 60 triple double and they still would find away of justifying giving the trophy to Lebron or someone else.
Media hacks (including ones who vote) have already started declaring Lebron as MVP. If LBJ, Durant, Curry, Greek Freak, Kawhi, Kyrie and Davis all go down with season ending injuries early in the season he has a shot...
Harden needs to be better in the playoffs. Too many bricks and turnovers for an MVP caliber player. Really hard to criticize Westbrook, when Harden is low-key similar.
1) needs lebrons lakers to be mediocre. If the lakers are good lebron has the award on lock 2) rockets need to win a ton 3) monster stats 4) narrative defining games
