Screw this award. It's obvious to us that the MVP narrative has changed on a year to year basis. (Maybe "Homerism"?) Bring back a chip and make the MVP trophy irrelevant. Damn you Golden State..
I really hope he won't be in the race next year. That chase for MVP really hurt us last year by Playoffs time. Just play ball and go for the win.
The narrative has been building for Kawhi, I think he wins it. The narrative is ALL that matters. Kyrie will probably get some votes if his stats look good and his team wins, just because of the narrative.
I would bet on Kawhi or KD. If warriors break their record KD will win it. Otherwise Kawhi got it in the bag cuz he got no help
I doubt Harden wins it. He should have won it 2 out of the last 3 season. During pre-season 3 years ago some didn't want to put Harden in the conversation because he had Dwight - then Dwight missed half the season and he was right in it, carrying the Rockets to the second seed. Last year Harden had too much help, so I doubt he will even be Top 3 in voting this season (with CP and potentially Melo on board). If they (CP and Beard) need time to mesh - a lot of the blame will fall on Harden; If they click and win50+ games he will have too much help - for the MVP-award a lose/lose situation really. 1) KD 2) Kawhi (narrative is on his side) 3) Le Bron (without Kyrie and still right up there in the East - even though the Cavs probably got no worse and deeper with the trade) 4) Westbrook 5) Curry ...yeah he might not even make the top 5
Except the voters dont seem to care about whatever harden succeeds in. They dont vote for players, they vote against harden. #mc
I think it's entirely believable that the same guys who said Harden had too much help last year would have absolutely no problem giving it to KD next year, two years after he joined what was already the best team in league history.
If team is doing great and he is playing great, he's be in the race. If team sucked how does it help you?
Has Harden reached his potential yet? Can he shift gears again and get better? I think if Harden greatly improve defense, rely less on free throws, score more efficiently, have great chemistry with Chris Paul and challenges Warriors. He will have his own narrative.
The team could do 60+ wins and he'll not be in the race. Its more about his state of mind than anything else. Last year Dantoni addmited that he could not rest him even though he needed to because of the mvp race. I'd rather have Harden play 35 minutes, put effort on D, increase efficiency, all the stuff you dont see on the stats sheet. If he'll score 25 pt, 8 assist and 6-7 rebounds per game (Lebron kind of stats) he'd still be awsome but he wont be chasing his stats. the media will ignore it and say we are better cause of Paul, but for me that's the ideal scenario.
Come on. If team has 60 wins Harden won't be a top MVP candidate? Do you believe what you are saying? Only if he sucked.
"Last year Harden had too much help" LOL KD and Curry has the help of at least 2 hardens you act like now Harden has more help than KD or Curry or Lebron your ranking stands even if the rockets secure 2nd seed overall with Harden as the best player on the team?
Even if he doesn't chase stats those numbers are still better than last year's Kawhi. Was Kawhi not #3 candidate?
No. I'm telling you its not going to happen. Harden needs a remarkable season, somesing unique and superb to win the MVP or even be in the race. SA will get close to us no matter what, they always do. So Kawhi will be there, many believes he's the best 2 way player in the league, Kyrie will be there with the story, GS would win like 67+ games so Durant will be there and there is always unexpected candidate. Harden is like Lebron in the matter that we come to expect of him those stats, its not unique, its not a special story. A 25, 8, 7 from Harden is like regular. We are that lucky that he's that good but it wont get him in the race.
Harden was a close second last year. The biggest knock against him was not putting effort into defense and taking advantage of those foul calls. Both of which can be greatly improved now that he can spare more energy on D, and he can play off ball with CP3 on his side. If Harden really get better on those I see Harden a top 3 candidate.
