Do you guys think Harden is a top 5 player? I was a little iffy at the beginning of the season, but now i think he has really become one.
I don't think this would have been possible if not for Westbrook being hurt and Harden still with OKC. He's had an opportunity to put the team on his shoulders that he might not have had otherwise.
Essentially, he has to hit a higher percentage of his shots and improve his defense slightly. These are things he's done in phases, but he needs to do that for a whole season if he wants that MVP award.
it really is not that Harden is not great... but you have LBJ, KD over there, it is hard to get the MVP when they are in the same era you are playing
I agree with those who think he has a shot at sneaking into a Karl Malone/Steve Nash/Dirk type of MVP. But it's not like an Major League Baseball MVP where two MVPs are awarded, one per league, and where as many as two or three dozen players can be said in the pre-season to have a legitimate shot. In the NBA, best player or three have always been head and shoulders above the rest. The separation is that much greater.
That is to say, Harden will never be the best player in the league. But he has a chance at the award as it's customarily judged. He just needs to have a first-rate season during which Lebron, Durant, et alia, have merely average seasons or slightly worse (by their personal standards).
Yes, he will get nomination at least, when he starts playing DEFENSE consistently with effort n skill.
I think it is probable that Harden wins one. Especially if he is still improving as he seems to be given his play over the last month. The Rockets would need to win the chip for it to happen though. People recognize when a player just dominates, as Harden has been doing lately.
That would be awesome. Billups won it. Harden may one day as well. A regular season MVP is less likely. That is why I voted no.
For Harden to have a chance, we have to get the 1st seed. Remember how Rose won it over LBJ even though everyone and their mum new Lebron was better? Seeding counts for a lot. Especially if Durant has somehow overtaken LBJ by then, the NBA might just give it to Harden because they're old teammates and they love a good storyline. I voted no. A lot of players in this generation will never see the accolades they potentially could have, because they were born within a decade of Lebron and Durant. They're both having all-time-great seasons right now.
Reading all the comments it is obvious there are good arguments on both sides. As the voting shows it could go either way. It is difficult for me to tell what Harden's upside is. Probably better than he is currently playing. I personally view him as a top five player, but I can see the reasoning behind calling him a top 10 player. Does Harden possess the next gear? The gear that gets him to 28/6/8 and only 2 turnovers per 36? Maybe. If he does get there he certainly will be deserving of the MVP.
I think yes, but not any time soon. Neither Harden or the team are at the point where the media is going to give Harden MVP credit over a guy like KD or Lebron. That and Harden needs to keep pushing consistent effort on both ends. I can see Harden being in the running 3-4 years from now when his game is fully developed. Until then it's going to be hard to win votes over LeBron's insane athleticism and KD's ridiculous shooting.
It's unlikely, imo. He is unfortunately sandwiched between the likes of the transcendent superstars like LBJ and Durant, and may be upstaged by the upcoming superstars in the brow, Jabari Parker, Embiid, Ender Wiggins, et al
Ask yourself if you want Lebron or Durant over harden. 99% of you would pick yes. That answers your MVP question. I would trade harden for either player in a heartbeat.
