I don't see the problem. Harden by all reasonable measures has become a legitimately great player, the kind of guy you'd expect to at least be in the MVP conversation, and people who have watched him play tend to acknowledge that he probably deserves it even if they have other preferences. I figure this will play out the way it does every year - there will be a few guys, especially Harden, who everyone acknowledges should get it, but they'll give it to Curry because Best Player on Best Team usually wins. What this comes down to is the usual "I hate the Rockets" BS going around right now in the media and especially at ESPN. "Harden's great player...but he doesn't deserve it because he doesn't play the right way and do you realize his teammate is DWIGHT HOWARD?! ANALYTICS ARE SATAN!! OMFG!!!!" Grantland went on a fresh round of that crap after the Grizzlies loss yesterday.
The rivalry between ESPN and Houston has been unfpderground for quite some time. Morey is just bringing it to light, and I love it. Don't forget to tune into the NFL draft where analytics say the Texans have a 98% TGTC (true go-to-commercial) success rate when they are on the clock.
Ethan Sherwood Strauss is one of the homer-iest bloggers in the basketball blogger game. The mouth-breather has totally embraced the "Rockets and Warriors Don't Like Each Other" narrative and totally wants to be a part of it. Since when is it a valid criticism that a team is supportive of their star player?
San Fran based LOCAL ESPN writer (blogger/whatever) makes a rant that is pro-Curry/Warriors and talks down the Rockets... Spoiler That being said.... I think this whole narrative is mostly being driven by whoever this person is driving the Rockets Twitter. I'm not sure if anyone knows who is handling that account but they do go super overboard with self-promotion. The Rockets could be down 20, and D-Mo hits a hook shot, and they Tweet out that "D-Mo is DoMOnating the game" or something cheesy like that. But that account is basically the equivalent of a ticket sales ad banner or something. Its not DMorey's account or anything. I think Morey's convo/friendly sparring at the Sloan conference was very good natured and just banter. I didn't find it self promotional or anything like that. Just two guys having a sports argument like they are at a sports bar or something. Then local guys who pose as national guys are able to fabricate some ridiculous mud slinging that never really happened.
..... And how come Houston doesn't get to have their Houston Based ESPN writer that gets to be super homer and have the internet blow up because... "ESPN writer says..... X Homerific statement" when really its a Houston based local reporter with a national internet microphone???
I hate that E. Strauss troll. No matter what our team does or does not do it will bring on hate. F him, and F anyone against us. F the world.
If anything Morey has made himself a target by becoming a recognizable name. All the other teams do this, hell I remember going back to Elton Brand's rookie season the Bulls made out mailers to send to the media for his rookie of the year campaign. He ended up tying Francis for the honor. I guess it used to be an insider thing that has become more open since internet. I honestly think that Curry is out of it, it's Westbrook and Harden sprinting to the finish line.
