James Harden is gonna get screwed over again in MVP Voting

yeah they only win at home

 

Prime position ? the Thunder will finish 7th as they can't win away from home

 

not that incredible when you see that it is a team made triple double by the coach, Westbrook gets the most uncontested rebounds in the NBA

 

Harden needs to go beast mode from here on out if he wants the MVP. The narrative is not on his side. Westbrook is putting up amazing performances on a near nightly basis while Harden has been struggling for a while. Westbrook has the momentum. Harden needs the media and public to start noticing him again. He needs to put on some godly performances against good competition and the Rockets need to go on a winning streak. They can't continue giving up huge leads and losing to teams like Milwaukee, Indiana, and Miami. OKC is surging, Westbrook is relentless, and I think that there's very little chance that he doesn't average a triple double this year which would be a historic feat. Harden definitely has his work cut out for him.

 

Anything to fit the narrative

 

What a moron.

 

Forsure

 

So we are a top 4 team in the NBA, what is the revelation here.

 

OKC not on this list. No way an MVP could come from that team, tbh

 

If Harden continues to coast on D he will lose MVP.

DD

 

How about if Westbrook coasts on D? Or do we give that a pass because he runs around like a loon. Don't confuse activity with achievement.

 

its James to lose, (was) or maybe still is but if he doesn't put forth the effort like he did before it will really color my perception of him. if he isn't efficient offensively, he is a liability out there period.

 

At this point in the season, Harden and Westbrook's per game average stats will relatively stay the same. Yes I believe Westbrook has all but locked up a triple-double season. To some writers, that's all that matters, and they will vote for Westbrook no matter what else happens...but for (hopefully) most writers, I believe it all comes down to wins and moments.

Rockets currently have 8 more wins than OKC. If by season's end it slips to 6 or less, Westbrook will probably win, if it can climb to 10+, Harden should win.

Harden also has many potential moments he can make voters remember him by:

• This week versus contenders, we beat the Clippers and now face MEM, @sas, UTA, @CHI, and CLE. If Rockets can win 4 of the next 5 that would be huge
• March 26th-31st will also be a HUGE deciding factor for the media. The Rockets play 4 straight nationally televised games: OKC(ABC), GSW(NBA TV), @POR(TNT), @GSW(ESPN)...Harden has to beat and out-perform Westbrook, and win 2 of 3 vs. GSWx2 and POR. Durant will probably be out in both GSW games.
• Both Houston and OKC's April schedules are mostly weak, with Rockets playing @LAC on TNT the 2nd to last game, and OKC having a 4-game road trip against MEM, PHX, DEN, and MIN

 

I hate to set standards or goals for Harden, because even when he got the suppose goal of 2nd in the conference he failed to win the MVP. But I think he would need to shoot for:

10+ wins on OKC
Season series win over OKC
Assists Leader
Maintain top 3 in scoring
Maintain 8 reb per game.

He will need to push a little on assists as Westbrook is going to average at least 11 a game the rest of the way out to get his trip doub. Which he will do. And I don't blame him for it. Why not. But Harden can win this by just being better in the win column. Both players have systems that benefit their stats so that's a wash for me technically.

 

Like I said before. The tour has started. Morey won't let Harden miss out on MVP this year like 2 years ago. Trust this process.

 

Except that writers and folks in the media have began to notice his crap play and effort lately.

 

I noticed at least in the last game against the Clippers, Harden was putting more effort into staying with his man (when he chooses to) and attempts to close out on a shooter. He hasn't made the complete transition to actually contesting every opponent's shot attempt though. Maybe he'll start soon..

 

TNT crew just called Westbrook the front runner.

 

I would say it's largely a wrap at this point. Westbrook hype is on a runaway train. And that's okay. I hope we get a chance to beat them in the playoffs.