In my opinion: 1. C (Warriors gw) 2. A (Spurs) 3. E (Knicks triple double) 4. D (Magic) 5. B (Knicks)
A. for me. That 13 in a row to practically seal the deal was breathtaking. He literally brought me to my feet(while at home). Shooting was phenomenal.
Winner on **** Warriors (no CP no EG, KD out of bound) .. ... .. 61 points on **** Spurs 61 points in MSG ... etc etc.
While E looks really impressive and C was insanely clutch I have to go with D for individual performance I choose D because it's the first and only 60 point triple double the NBA has ever had
this is how I decided to do my rankings 1) C - 44, 10, and 15 @ GS Harden went into Oracle without CP3 and EG and beat the Warriors with the greatest game winner I have ever seen...that was an iconic shot, and him going into Oracle and dropping a 40 point triple double on them to go along with a career high 10 made threes let me know that Harden had officially elevated himself to another level 2) A - 61 vs SA dropping 61 on a Gregg Popovich team is just insane...he came through with 13 straight points at the end of the 4th to close them out...I was speechless after this game 3) D - 60 point triple double against Orlando the only 60 point triple double in NBA history...playing with a short handed squad as usual, Harden put the team on his back with clutch bucket after clutch bucket...that 4 point play at the end that resulted in him getting to 60 and passing Calvin Murphy for the most points scored in a game by a Houston Rocket was amazing 4) E - 53, 16, and 17 vs NY the statline is just ridiculous...I was at this game, and to see Harden drop a triple double of that magnitude is something I’ll never forget...the ease with which he did it too...the man is just incredible 5) B - 61 @ MSG tied Kobe for the most points scored by a visiting player at MSG...was clutch as usual, and that dunk in the closing seconds to cap off his 61 point is iconic Dave East ain’t lying
I would say A. I was watching Game Time after that performance and the guys went on about how amazing Harden's performance was. Then when it came to the question of MVP both guys said Giannis because the Bucks are in first place. I was not aware the MVP was a team award. I know team success has a bearing on the voting, as it should, but not the factor that carries the most weight The east will probably have a team under .500 make the playoffs, while the west's 8th seed will most likely be 13 or so games above .500. Add to the fact that the Rockets have spent the majority of the year injured and Harden has been without his best team-mates. Yet Harden has taken this team from 14th to 3rd IN THE WEST. Harden has so many signature moments from this year that scream MVP. I can only think of maybe 1 standout (MVP caliber) performance from Giannis. Giannis has had a great season, but if we are being real, Harden is the MVP. Hell if Westbrook can win it with a team at the 6th seed, then Harden should have this in the bag.
Team success should matter. But this is a case where the Rockets are also a great team and a contender. We’re not having to choose between a great team and a mediocre one. So I’d take the Bucks vs the Rockets right out of the conversation. Next we have to look at stats. Giannis is having a fantastic statistical season. Harden is having a historical season. Not even close. Voters are going to have to create reasons to not vote for Harden.
The Warriors game >>>>>> everything else. That clutch shot over Draymond and Klay may very well be Harden's most iconic moment until a worthy playoffs equivalent surpasses it.
They do look like PlayStation numbers on 2k Is that why the mouth breathers commenting on YouTube think he's cheating?
I gotta give top billing to the most recent 61-pt game against the Spurs. Spurs were one of the hottest teams in the league, and getting this win mattered deeply given the race the playoffs. Most importantly, though, Harden established a trend. The trend of one Rocket singlehandedly beating the San Antonio Spurs in the dying minutes of a game...with 13 points. "13 in 2:35" isn't quite as sexy as "13 in 33", but man, it was just as beautiful, in my opinion. ---- Also, which was the game where he missed a 5x5 by 1 block? That shouldn't be forgotten. And I do believe Harden will notch one of those proper one day.
I would rank them a head of Hakeem Olajuwon undressing David Robinson in the Western Conference finals
