Yes in reality this is not a mutually exclusive proposition, nor does your personal opinion affect the outcomes (unless of course you're one of the few that actually has a vote). But hypothetically, if you could ONLY pick one or the other. Would you rather Harden be rewarded for his amazing season with the MVP over Westbrook OR would you rather choose the Rockets eliminating the Thunders in the first round. OF course picking Harden for MVP in this scenario means losing to the Thunders in the 1st round. So the question is, which result is more important to you. My own answer... I don't really care about the mvp winner. I'm fine with Westbrook, Harden or Kawhi winning the MVP. All three are deserving in my opinion and would be happy with any of them winning. So I guess my answer would be Rockets beating the Thunder. But i'd want the series to go at least 6 "down to the wire" games. Watching Westbrook and Harden go toe to toe would be too good not to get at least 6 games. Plus the Rockets vs the Spurs is an imminently more interesting matchup for the 2nd round.
This is an easy one, I'd much rather beat OKC if I could only pick one. Harden's MVP would be invalidated in my eyes if he were to lose in the 1st round to OKC. A 1st round exit makes this entire season a failure. Who cares about an MVP award if your team gets bounced in the 1st round?
Not even debatable. If you choose individual success over the team then I really question if you're really a Rockets fan.
If Harden wins MVP and we lose in first round then him actually winning the MVP becomes bad for him. Double whammy. If Harden does not win the MVP and he smashes OKC then he becomes a hero.
Facts. Media would have an absolute field day if he won MVP while losing the first round. Already looking like the MVP is going to Russ anyways so give me that first round victory.
OP, you should have disguised your inquiry. Should Rockets stop Westbrook from having his triple double or should they stop OKC from winning? At least that wouldn't hurt as much bro...
I'm a team first guy. I don't care even if Harden averages 9/3/2 and we beat OKC in the 1st round so this is a pointless thread. Obviously, Rockets advancing over MVP. I ain't no player only fan
Westbrook against Harden in the first round. Any sensible MVP voter who's on the fence will decide it based on who wins this series. So let's go win the series.
