Voted Russell only because that's where I think the votes from the media will fall. Everyone seems to be jumping on the Russell bandwagon the same way they did with Curry 2 years ago.
I was feeling pretty good about Harden's MVP chances 1) after Tim Bontemps Washington Post article on the "staw poll" with media on the award. And then 2) after the Rockets beat OKC and took the season series to 3-1. Even hot-take media were coming around. And then the "Dallas" and "Orlando games happened. And then the daily "countdown" to Westbrook reaching 41 triple doubles. And then the reality of when the season ends, the last impression in media voters minds will be - Russell Westbrook really did average a triple double for the season. That avalanche at the end in favor of Westbrook, for any MVP "fence riders" will be tough to overcome. The media that are "stat geeks" might help Harden's vote (though stat geeks like Nate Duncan and Dan Feldman don't seem to like Harden - though I don't think they have votes). And Harden might get help in that he likely will be either 1 or 2 on the results whereas some might have Westbrook at 4 because of lack of wins. David Locke (Locked on NBA) has Harden 1 and Westbrook 4 (don't think he is a voter though). USA Today posited that Harden could win the MVP but not have as many 1st place votes as Westbrook because of "overall 1-5 place voting." Maybe. Right now, it is hard to see Harden winning unless there is a silent majority that we don't know about.
