He could win it. But if Davis keeps putting up 25/13/3 on a regular basis and pelicans win enough games it will be hard Gasol is up there too.
We need a Harden defensive compilation to shut sbnation and BR up...not that their voice should be heard anywyas
If the Rockets top last year's win total, Harden has to be in the conversation. He's carrying this team right now despite all the injuries. Granted, I doubt he could sustain this much longer without Dwight, Bev, and T-Jones(and a crappy bench), but a big reason Durant got the MVP last year was the way he kept OKC winning when Westbrook was out for an extended period.
I think SBNation has shut up already http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/11/23/7271125/james-harden-defense-improvement-houston-rockets
It's early in the season. But damn.. Harden has improved so much. He has looked like a much, much, much better all around player than he did the past two years. I'm not sure how much traction he will get since MVP is voted for by the media, but you would have to put him near or at the top of MVP candidates so far into the season.
If he could be in the top five for MVP voting without defense, I don't see why he can't at least be that with defense. He is most likely top 3 by season's end.
Relax, it's the Knicks folks. They made no effort whatsoever to guard Harden tonight. He had more wide open shots in this game than he's had all year combined. If we could play the Knick's every night then Harden would be a strong MVP candidate as would a lot of other players. What I want to see is how Harden does against Portland, San Antonio, Golden St., etc in the PLAYOFFS. What he does now means nothing, nobody gets a trophy for having a great game against the Knicks. I want to see Harden put up 50 pts against Portland in the playoffs and utterly destroy them, then I will gladly hop on board.
Been watching the NBA since 1974, so yes I do know. When did I ever suggest that it did? If you are a Rockets fan, though. You will probably agree that it is a worthless award that should not be given out until the playoffs are over.
if you are a real rockets fan, you should know, that Hakeem destroyed the playoffs cuz he was robbed of HIS trophy...... Facts. It kinda matters.
Ummm. Actually it is fact. Many players on the team have been quoted that this was Hakeem's primary motivation.
Grrrr.... Its upsetting they are nit picking hardens defense, which his positives out way the negatives by quite a bit. Can't see the media praising Harden being in the top 3 consideration this year cause of his " terrible " defense regardless how much of an improvement he has showed this year.
You can't deny greatness. If Harden continues to put numbers and the wins continue to sub 60 or so wins, he will win the MVP award. We are very luck to have this guy on our team. Harden is a very special player and deserving of a better bench in the goal of bringing the third NBA championship to this city.
It seems like Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are getting a lot of hype, and they are putting up some great numbers. I believe an important stat to look at is Assists, b/c a great player is supposed to make other players better. Neither Davis nor Cousins even have 2 APG. A big man who is the focus of an offense should get at least 3 APG from my experience. I have been most proud of Harden's improvement in this stat - along with defense.
