[Grantland] Listen to Your Heart: James Harden Is the MVP

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Joke of an article from a writer who just exposed himself. He doesn't/hasn't watched 90% of our games this season. He runs with a popular narrative from the mainstream about the flopping just like he did with the defense this season. Anyone who watch Rocket games know he doesn't flop....he draws contact and player will swipe at the ball. It's r****ded to defend this with people who have their minds made up by NOT watching games but listening/reading bias, lazy narratives. Welcome to today's sports media boys!

Curry deserves the MVP just as much as Harden and if he won I wouldn't have an issue, but tell the truth about both players. I don't understand how beat writers who watch less than 10 percent of games they are PAID to watch and cover have MVP votes! It would seem that the votes should come from players and coaches.....who better than your own peers? They actually watch each other and play one another. Just my opinion...

 

I don't get this post. What's wrong with a voter choosing option A while believing option B will ultimately get more votes? A voter can only cast one vote.

 

"You are not alone."

Honestly, Harden might have flopped last season. But this season is totally a difference scene. I can see that he's not "selling" the fouls anymore and always trying to finish the plays whether or not the fouls had been whistled.

Harden should get the MVP nod this year for his enormous contribution to the Rockets team success.

Curry is good but the narrative of best player of the best team should die. Kerr's system has helped so much on both ends of the floor for the Warriors. Kerr is more deserving as Coach of the Year than Curry is deserving for MVP.

 

The criticisms of James Harden are mostly stupid and unfair. "He shoots too many free throws" or "he flops". None of this is constructive criticism and more personal dislike for his game. At the end of the day he's having a better individual season and is more valuable than any other superstar for their team. Steph Curry has ESPN & the NBA campaigning for him which angers me because you can tell the media simply doesny care for the Rockets. The MVP shouldn't be a popularity contest

 

I hate how people talk so much crap about him shooting FTs... Just because nobody can guard him without fouling him doesn't mean he is a flopper

 

"Just because nobody can guard him without fouling him doesn't mean he is a flopper". Well said. I'm stealing that if you don't mind. I hate hearing the flopping and FT thing. NO.ONE.CAN.GUARD.HIM.

 

**** Andrew Sharp.

 

This is a great point and hits the nail on the head.

People would rather give Curry the award because they think he's more fun to watch.

And you're right... it's not about who is the most fun to watch. It's about who is the most effective on the court.

 

I hope the writer doesn't really have that feeling on James Harden's tendency to get to the line.

1. James Harden leads the league in free throws by a landslide because a lot of the other players capable (and also do it on a regular basis) have missed significant time.

2. James Harden goes to the line often from transitional baskets that the opposition purposes fouls to prevent a guaranteed lay up (because they know they are getting blown by)

3. He isn't cheating the freaking system. He has his move and that move (combined with creativity, slight embellishment, and his deception of quickness) gets gambled often which results in a foul which in turn results in 2 freaking three throws.

4. Rarely do I see James Harden truly "flop". If he gets hit in the face then he will whip his head back. If he gets held on the arms (Memphis anyone?) he throws his arms up. I can't remember a time I have actually seen James Harden pull a LeBron or Wade and fall to the ground expecting a call nor do I see James Harden pump fake and throw himself into the defender's that bite.

Get the **** out of here with saying that James Harden flops for all his fouls and describing it as criminal and awful to watch. the writer gets a bad feeling when he watches James Harden? Wtf? James Harden is playing the best basketball this season and by being the best at this moment the only way to slow him down tends to be getting physical and fouling...even if that is playing right into James Harden's hand.

 

What happened the last time a Rocket deserved the award but didn't get it?

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hW4uXlRGAF0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Harden vs. Curry
2015 NBA Western Conference Finals
May the best man win...

 

And their tactic is to scramble for bull**** statistics that back up Curry's game while ignoring the greatness of Harden.

 

The ones who make that statement are generally statheads who make up like 5% of the voting population. Majority of the voters are really faceless media people who are no different from the average fan, like that one guy from NYC who decided for some reason Carmelo Anthony is da real MVP over Lebron and turned out to be the only one in the entire nation to do so.

We'll see what happens though, if everyone thinks Curry will be the MVP maybe they pick Harden to be different.

 

Agree with everything here.

It is the Most Valuable Player...If a solider goes into battle with Navy Seals and everyone comes out unharmed certainly everyone is valuable and it is hard to say that one person was infinitely more valuable on the field.

If a solider, we will call him Harden, goes into battle with 18 year olds and he still completes the mission, does most of the work, and then has to drag and carry his wounded brethren off the battlefield after...then it is obvious who the most valuable person throughout the successful mission was.

and no. No one in the history of basketball can just "magically" make crappy players look like the best squad in basketball. Iggy, Green, Thompson...these guys are good to great players already. Its not like Curry being there boosts their basketball ability. He just runs the offense and uses what he has around him as tools to get them to score...which he does and they will.

 

There's a sort of confirmation bias going on with the media and Harden's game. Harden can play most of a game "the right way", but the moment he has a play that looks even debatable it's all "OMG, that flopping SON OF A--!!! HOW DARE HE?! HE'S RUINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME!!!! AUGH!!!" Meanwhile Chris Paul could be on the other side of the court flopping his ass off and no one cares because "I like when the Clippers lob it".

 

I don't think Harden flops a lot, I do think he tries to draw contact and succeeds at it.

 

You mean Harden vs Curry? Can't see the Thunder getting that far without a 2nd star, as good as both Westbrook and Kanter have been.

I think Curry is going to win it just because of the difference in wins for GS. Perhaps if we go 2-0 against the Spurs and storm into the playoffs Harden might get it. He definitely helped himself on Sunday.

But I too like the thought of Harden having a chip on his shoulder in a potential WCF matchup.