Gotta agree with this. Harden is going to be a top 5 player. We're at the point where we get obsessed with whether the award goes to him or not. The fact is that we have an elite player and Lebron imo has declined. I'm more interested in whether this coaching staff is actually brilliant enough to give us roughly 2 of the top 5 or 6 performances this coming season. Is it possible?
I think Shaq had the right idea with Kawhi. It'll go to the guy on the best team who looks like he's doing it all by himself. Harden might get the bulk of votes in favor of Houston, but for him to beat Kawhi he's going to have to have significantly more wins than San Antonio because the stats will probably be about even with Kawhi winning the love from NBA fanboys--those Zach Lowe-type pseudo-objective NBA bandwagon fans who don't ally with any one particular team but sure as hell do love talking trash about Houston--because of his reputation as a defensive specialist. We'll have to do our part to expose his absurd travelling, but it probably won't make a dent in the minds of the media who pretty much have their minds made up at this point that James Harden is going to be a bridesmaid but never a bride for the entirety of his career just because they don't like his eye test.
Remember when Harden took his team to #2,#3 in the West with no star teammate? The media will come up with a different narritive each time and screw with Harden. I am not sure if Khalissi will get pregnant and give birth before Harden wins an MVP. And this has to happen before Khalissi get pregnant again: “When the sun rises in the west and sets in the east. When the seas go dry and mountains blow in the wind like leaves. When your womb quickens again, and you bear a living child. Then he will return, and not before.”
people need to give up on Harden ever winning an MVP, it's not happening What is Harden's narrative heading into the season? That's half the battle when it comes to this media voted award. It was Westbrook's award to lose before the season even started last year.
Media has decided that the narrative will never fit Harden. He's never winning MVP. It is what it is.
Bingo. Whatever Harden has going, it will be the opposite. I also thought that CP3 should've won in 2008, but that's another story. 2015, It went to the best player on the best team, cause winning matters (With two other all stars), not stats. (Mind you Dwight was out half the year, line up constantly changed due to injuries, etc. and we still won the division as a 2nd seed) 2017, It went to the better stats, because Westbrook didn't have anyone on his team. Mind you his team was 6th seed. Harden's stats were comparable to Westbrooks.. But Harden had "help", as he also was the only all star on the team. I don't expect him to win the MVP. I hope he uses this energy to up his playoff intensity, and bring another championship to the city.
With the 3-point shooters brings greater spacing and greater efficiency. Curry benefited from that exact thing. Houston loses Beverley 3-pt shooting But Houston replaces Bev with CP3 (3-pt shooting); plus Tucker and Luc Mhab a Moute (exit Harrell/Dekker) Harrell/Dekker failed us as 3-pt shooters
Hakeem: 15th best regular season player eve Hakeem: top 5 playoffs player ever This is a dumb thread on Rockets board
The MVP was discussed on the Starters. Normally watch just for a laugh but they raised some good points about the media narrative driving the MVP. Westbrook was the media darling even befire the triple double, because KD left him. Its either KD the redemption year OR Lebron with Kyrie leaving him. Depends on the media. Cant see Harden getting the media attention as his stats and usage will drop.
He might deserve it. It's not in the narrative, though. The narrative is going to lead to one of three people depending on how the season goes: KD Lebron Kawhi
He will deserve MVP but of course the idiots who get a vote will give it to someone else. Harden should be a 2 time MVP.
I prefer him not getting it and be more of a team player and win the chip instead. Showing milkhair mcfail and other haters out there thats he capable of doing that. Why would he need be like westbrick and end up bounced in the first round again due to him being tired at the end due to the constant jacking up one on 5 everytime.
The Westbrook way was not the only way. He's more of an anomaly. If Harden is a top candidate for MVP, I can assure you the the Rockets are kicking asses around the league.
He won't win. Rockets won't finish as the #1 or #6 seed. Has too much help with CP3, the reigning 6th-man of the year, and coach of the year. He also has a couple of defensive lapses which all gets put into a 1 big highlight reel of defensive fails. With that being said, it'll likely be a 3-man race - Durant, Westbrook, Lebron cuz #TeamNike
Harden can def win it... I think he's the favorite... and personally I think his odds are better if his ppg go down than if he avgs 30 ppg... If his stats go up... then you'll get "well of course his ppg went up - he's got CP3 feeding him now..." but if they dip a bit... then he 'sacrificed to share the spotlight with CP3..." Keys are: Bring down turnovers (with CP assisting on ball handling duties this should automatically happen...) Play consistent defense (again with CP3 carrying some of the offensive load, James should have more energy for the other end of the court...) quit with playing for the cheap calls (like pulling guys into him...) and lastly, stay outta the titty bars... he's a multi millionaire... use a discreet service for private parties or whatever... Now before I get a bunch of replies about Westbrook didn't do that... or Curry did this.... you gotta realize, MVP is SUBJECTIVE! We all know the criteria gets warped to fit the narrative... James has the skills... he's had the numbers... he's had the W-L team record... he just needs to be more likable and avoid the glaring concerns.... I'm not sayin its right or its wrong... but it is what it is...
