LeBron is having a statistically great season. But Paul Pierce nailed it in that clip. He hasn't won the MVP for 5 years(including this year) because he keeps running into historical seasons from the players who are winning the awards instead of him. The Thunder won 59 games and had the 2nd best record in the league in 2014, so Durant won it over him. The Warriors won 67 games in 2015 and ran away with the best record in the NBA, while the Rockets managed to finish with 56 wins despite an ungodly number of injuries. So Curry won it and Harden came in second. The Warriors won 73 games in 2016 and Curry had an historic season, so he was the unanimous MVP. Last season, Westbrook averaged a triple double and Harden had another brilliant season while leading his team to a surprising 55 wins, so they finished first and second in the voting. This season, Harden is having an even better year and the Rockets are running away with the league's best record at 60-14. Seriously, who does LeBron deserve it over in that list? Maybe Durant in 2014, but the Thunder won 5 more games than the Heat that season and LeBron had won 4 of the previous 5 MVP awards, so I think the voters were looking to give it to someone else. Otherwise, I don't see how you can argue he was more deserving than Curry or Harden. Westbrook perhaps, but Harden was more deserving than LeBron last year, so it's a moot point.
The actual category should be: best player that helped chase another great player out of town so here's a consolation prize category. That was Westbrook last year and LeBron this year. I doubt that award will be worthy of airtime during the NBA Awards show, though, so they may want to upload it to YouTube or include it as part of The Decision: Part II instead
lebron is not even the best player in the nba this year. forget about what someone did years ago. in the 2018 nba regular season harden was better than lebron. better offensively and even better defensively. harden has all the "advanced stats" over lebron. PER, Win shares, WS/48, etc. harden was simply better than lebron this year. there is nothing wrong with admitting that.
This is a classic case of recency bias. LeBron has been other-worldly since the all-star break, but 2/3 of the season preceded the ASB this year.
It's amazing the lengths the media will go including the statistical gymnastics to refute what is obvious.
I wanted Russ to say he deserves the MVP this year. Just 30 something more rebounds for another MVP season for Russ Westbrook.
Yikes! Utah should change they big place to Westbrook Lake City. What a baby. His whole face looks like Anthony Davis' eyebrow.
Who should be NBA’s MVP, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year? Heat coach and players reveal their picks For MVP, five went with Houston’s James Harden, two declined to vote, one picked Cleveland’s LeBron James, one went with Harden and James as co-MVPs and another said Russell Westbrook, Harden and James should split the award. For Rookie of the Year, four voted for Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, three picked Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and three went with Simmons and Mitchell splitting the award. For Most Improved Player, eight picked Indiana’s Victor Oladipo and one went with Orlando’s Aaron Gordon. And for Coach of the Year, four chose Philadelphia’s Brett Brown, two voted for Boston’s Brad Stevens, two were undecided and one split the award between Toronto’s Dwane Casey and Brad Stevens. Erik Spoelstra MVP: Declined to vote. Why?: “I don’t know. Get the players on this.” Bam Adebayo MVP: Between LeBron James, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Why?: “That’s a rough one. It’s been three. Russell [Westbrook] is still [almost] averaging a triple-double. James Harden is the first player to have a 60-point triple-double and LBJ is doing his triple-double stuff and he’s 33. That’s a three-way tie. I don’t know.” Goran Dragic MVP: James Harden. Why?: “His team is the best team in the league right now. He’s playing unbelievable. It’s not only about the numbers, but the result first and then how you make your teammates better. He’s doing that. Not only this year, but last year.” Wayne Ellington MVP: James Harden. Why?: “Just what Houston has done so far this season, their record. Obviously, he’s playing unbelievable, first and foremost. I think he deserves it. There are other guys at the top with him, but I like to look at the record and I’ll go with their most important player as the most valuable player because your team has the best record. That gives you the most value.” Udonis Haslem MVP: James Harden. Why?: “Just the work he’s putting in. He’s leading the team and they have the best record in the league. He’s the best player on that team and the numbers he’s been putting up, he’s been leading them.” Tyler Johnson MVP: LeBron James. Why?: “He could get it every year, it’s just voter fatigue. I mean you could also give it to James Harden just because of their record, having the No. 1 record overall. I mean he’s had a great year offensively. I just think Bron because he’s at the top of the league on both ends of the court. Whatever age, he’s averaging a damn near triple-double on the court. It’s hard not to give it to him. Just because of the amount of attention he demands day in and day out and how smart of a player he is.” Rodney McGruder MVP: James Harden and LeBron James. Why?: “It’s between James and LeBron. It’s tough. I’m going to have to go with co-MVPs. That’s how good of a race it is this year with the years and the stats that these guys have this year. You got to go co. That’s how I feel.” Josh Richardson MVP: James Harden. Why?: He’s taken his team to the best record in the league and the things you’ve seen him do on the court, you don’t see that very often. LeBron’s not far off at all. He’s right there.” Dwyane Wade MVP: Declined to vote. Why?: “You want me to answer? Not doing it. Leave it in my player vote that is secretive.” Justise Winslow MVP: James Harden. Why?: “He’s the best player on the best team in the league.”
It still makes me salty when people say he's on the best team but act like Lebron is having a better season. If their records were the same Harden would still be the MVP.
Lebron averaging 30/9/5 on the best team in the league on pace to win 65 games? Unanimous MVP, no discussion. Harden averaging 30/9/5 on the best team in the league on pace to win 65 games? Close call. Could go either way. Lebron's in his 15th season though!
