James stays on top http://www.nba.com/article/2017/02/10/mvp-ladder-week-14-gordon-hayward-surges-leader-jazz 1. James Harden, Houston Rockets Last week: No. 1 The Rockets have won three straight and four of their last five games with Harden continuing his magical season. He endured a nightmare turnovers game (nine) in Thursday's win over the Hornets, finishing with 30 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in his All-Star duel with Kemba Walker (29.6 points, 9.2 assists, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals in his last five games).
I don't care about that ranking. I'm calling it unlikely unless we go nuts and win at a December clip again.
the narrative is shifting, folks, better get used to it. http://www.nba.com/article/2017/03/...russell-westbrook-case-not-told-numbers-alone Kia Race to the MVP Ladder: Numbers alone can't do Russell Westbrook justice Triple-doubles, other stats often fail to reveal what makes OKC's star a force in NBA Sekou Smith NBA.com @SekouSmithNBA Mar 10, 2017 10:06 AM ET Where does he find the energy? Sixty-four games into what is no doubt one of the most staggering seasons in NBA history, that’s the only thing Russell Westbrook has not provided for the Oklahoma City Thunder: an explanation as to how it is humanly possible to carry on like this. The highlights don’t do Westbrook’s season the justice it deserves, particularly in a season where the battle for the top spot in the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder should, and could, very well come down to the final minutes and seconds of the regular season. Witnessing this one-man storm in the flesh, from ground level, is just about the only way to truly get a grasp on what he’s doing to the competition night after night. “He’s not human,” said veteran forward Taj Gibson, who, along with Doug McDermott, joined the Thunder at the trade deadline. “I don’t know any other way of describing it.” During the stretch of a season where we are wondering if overrating crazy numbers (Westbrook and Houston’s James Harden) while underrating the two-way impact of other MVP candidates (Kawhi Leonard and four-time winner LeBron James), a fresh set of eyes might actually help put things in a better perspective. Gibson said that the morning of Westbrook’s career-high 58 point explosion against the Portland Trail Blazers, a game that marked the Thunder’s fourth straight loss. And Gibson was right: there really is no easy way to describe what Westbrook is doing. He followed up that career-high scoring night with a much more impressive feat, his 31st triple-double of the season in Thursday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs. In doing so, Westbrook tied Wilt Chamberlain for the second most triple-doubles in a single season behind Oscar Robertson’s 41. Not even his staunchest critics can poke holes in a performance that included 23 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists and just three turnovers in 35 soul-drenching minutes against the NBA's top defensive team. Well, there are folks who will point to his shooting struggles (7-for-21 from the floor, including a 1-for-6 effort from deep), but they’re probably also in the camp that refuses to consider Westbrook a “superstar.” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, of course, is not one of those detractors. He had nothing but praise for Westbrook before Thursday’s game. “It’s astounding,” Popovich said. “I was a big Oscar fan being a kid watching him, when every once in a while you could get an NBA game on TV to watch him. But what this young man is doing every night, I think it’s just an incredible feat. Really, a singularly unique bundle of energy and competitiveness for sure. He’s a good kid. I’m happy for him. He’s fantastic.” 1. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder Last week: No. 2 The Thunder’s four-game losing streak is no more, thanks to Westbrook’s work against the Spurs Thursday night. He tied Wilt Chamberlain for the second most triple-doubles in a season (31) and has Oscar Robertson’s record (41) well within his sights. We’re all still trying to figure out where he finds the energy to go this hard every single night (40.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 8.0 assists in his last five games). 2. James Harden, Houston Rockets Last week: No. 1 The lingering question about this Rockets team (can Harden count on his supporting cast to help propel a deep playoff run?) remains as we get closer to the finish line of this regular season. Back-to-back losses to the Spurs and Jazz, the latter on their home floor, could be warning signs for "The Beard" and his crew (31.6 points, 10.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds in his last five games).
Back to back losses to top 4 teams is worse than losing 4 straight against blazers 2x, mavs and suns? Go home NBA.com, you're drunk.
Media is so Bias, against harden. seriously, i was listening to ESPN radio and jalen rose (who has a Vote) says the Russell is the undoubtedly MVP. His argument, his numbers and his teammates suck ,he says harden is great but he has a better team around him. WTF, these fools must have amnesia , didnt curry win MVP with 2 all stars on his team and harden with a bunch of scrubs led his team to the 2nd seed and still wasnt good enough for MVP. I dont think harden can do anything to get over the bias that will ultimately screw him in the MVP race. I really feel like if harden and westbrook switched places, and harden was putting up triple doubles and got the 7 seed and rusell led his team to the 3rd seed and putting up the numbers , russell would still be the favorite and harden numbers would be called meaningless. Just had to vent that out.
