If he keeps up this pace he'll be Dr. Harden. He is putting kids to school here, defense, offense, and he'll even bring a Heineken to your seat for you.
Anthony Davis is playing at a crazy high level. If he continues what he is doing he should definitely be MVP.
I think Harden is 4th at best right now 1. Anthony Davis 2. Stephen Curry 3. Chris Paul 4. James Harden/Marc Gasol and then you have to imagine that after KD comes back and leads his team to the 8 seed he'll be getting some recognition. I think for Harden to win it the Rockets have to be the 1 seed and I definitely don't see that happening this year (without a significant trade).
The Knicks actually played pretty good defense on him and were trying to take away his shot, particularly in the fourth quarter when they got up and had some confidence in themselves. That's when Harden had those two sweet assists two D-Mo in two straight possessions off the Knicks' double-team on the perimeter.
Given the injuries and our record I'd give the nod to Harden over Davis. However, I'd say it's: 1) Marc Gasol 2) Harden 3) Davis 4) Lou Williams 5) Cousins
Hakeem's primary motivation was to win the championship, he was quoted as saying that. Did losing out on the MVP trophy give him added motivation to light up D-Rob? Certainly. Was that his primary motivation, no. Would the Rockets have won that series even if Hakeem did win the MVP? Pure speculation, but I'm going to say yes because the Rockets were a better team at this point as Drexler started to fit into the chemistry. Just look at what we did to the Magic in the following series, a team that many considered to be the best team in basketball for most of the year. But I digress, as speculation /= fact.
I agree that Hakeem did say that his focus was winning the championship, but there is reason to believe that this was just the politically correct statement to say after they won. First: You had Olajuwon stating that if he is close in the MVP race, he should win it. This was before the voting. Second: If you have Kenny Smith stating that Hakeem was furiously murmuring "that is my trophy" during the awarding of the MVP. Horry stating that he was pointing to the trophy claiming that it was his. Ellie said that Hakeem told him that David was just borrowing his trophy. You have at least 3 eye witnesses claiming the actions of the same person who appears to have taken it personally. Spin it all you want but his actions speaks louder than his words. These are not speculations as all of those are direct quotes.
The Pelican's aren't even in the playoff picture yet (currently 10th seed! Only one game over .500), and if they do get in, it will probably be as the 8th seed.The MVP usually goes to a player in a top tier team, thus currently eliminating Davis from the discussion. Right now only Harden, Curry, Aldridge and Gasol meet the winning qualifications in the West to be in the discussion for MVP.
On other sites I am seeing haters liking what they see in Harden When they turn, another sign for MVP of season
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>In his career, James Harden is 10-of-20 (50%) on game-tying/go-ahead FG in final 24 sec -- highest FG pct in NBA since 2009-10 (min. 20 FGA)</p>— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/543300808755146753">December 12, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Pat Beverley on James Harden: "He's the best 2-guard in the league for sure, I think the best player in the league."</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/543304107474178048">December 12, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Win again! <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets">@HoustonRockets</a> 9-3 on the road. <a href="https://twitter.com/JHarden13">@JHarden13</a> MVP. Coming back to Houston! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedNation?src=hash">#RedNation</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pursuit?src=hash">#Pursuit</a></p>— Donatas Motiejunas (@DonatasMot) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonatasMot/status/543304550460186624">December 12, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
he's the clear cut MVP right now. in 22 games, the rockets have had their complete starting lineup in only TWO of those games. dwight howard - missed 12 out of 22 games terrence jones - missed 18 out of 22 games patrick beverley - missed 12 out of 22 games the rockets are still 17-5 in the loaded western conference while being plagued by injuries. harden is averaging 26, 6, and 6 with a 25 PER.
This is where the question of pure basketball ability vs. team success comes into hand. I'm not saying I'm ungrateful for James Harden(what he has been doing this season is ridiculous) but Anthony Davis is a freak. Also have to keep in mind that Harden has little to no help on offense and still continues to produce. I think its a tossup between these two guys
Except Anthony Davis currently plays on a team that is under .500, the rockets boast the 3rd best record in the league with their 2nd best player out the lineup for half the games this season. James Harden is the mvp, Davis is a stud HoF talent but its not his time yet. He's gotta learn how to lead and win it took james 3 years to figure that out give Davis time too.
Harden a legitimate MVP contender this season. Hopefully our PR staff and Morey don't mess up this time.
