This is the stuff of MVPs. Harden, even as the league’s reigning most valuable, hadn’t been much of a presence in early discussion for the award. The past month should be enough to erase some penciled-in ballots. Since Paul’s injury, Harden is averaging a cool 41.8 points per game. Harden is as impossible as ever, and he remains defiant in the face of the usual tradeoffs between usage and efficiency.
These bits stood out... If this were all some trick, its secrets would have been revealed long ago. Instead, there is a body of work spanning tens of thousands of minutes and thousands of shot attempts characterizing Harden as one of the best to ever do this. If others could do what Harden does, they would. Exceedingly few have the skill to even attempt it. Even among those who might try, most lack the body control, the creativity, and the conviction. Harden scores as he does because he knows exactly who he is.
