The whole 'before the season thing' is just a rhetorical strategy the OP is using for his argument. But I don't think it's needed... there isn't a significant difference between the talent level of either roster, enough to justify WB being MVP over James Harden. But even before the season, it would still be close between VO and EG.
But it currently is "not before the season started". The question isn't who had the better roster before the season, it's who has the better roster now.
BTW, if we kept DoMo, no comparison at all DoMo >>>> Adams + Kanter + Sabonis + Lauvergne + Collision + Singer
That March 26 matchup at Toyota Center vs the Thunder could be huge in the MVP race. It'll be nationally televised on ABC and only 2 1/2 weeks before the end of the regular season. I'm glad I got tickets to it before the potential hype drove up prices.
If you look at the player winshares* of their supporting casts: Help from Thunder's other minutes leaders: Adams (4.6) Kanter (4.3) Oladipo (3.1) Roberson (2.6) Grant (2.1) Lauvergne (1.2) Abrines (1.1) Morrow (0.8) Sabonis (0.4) Help from Rockets' other minutes leaders: Ariza (4.6) Anderson (4.1) Capela (3.6) Beverley (3.5) Harrell (3.3) Gordon (3.1) Dekker (2.5) Nene (2.4) Brewer (0.9) I don't think it's a stretch to say that the Rockets' excellent depth is a large contributor to a better team performance than OKC. Every Rockets starter is outperforming Oladipo, Roberson, and Sabonis (EVEN AFTER major injuries to Capela and Bev). Four Rockets bench players are outperforming their second best bench guy. That's not to say I actually support Westbrook - his huge efficiency gap with Harden is being totally ignored by the media. But I think the supporting cast argument is a real one. *not a flawless way of doing this, but an approximation. WS is a statistical measure that is inflated by playing with great passers like Harden, but Westbrook inflates his teammates' WS as well so this flaw washes out to some extent.
Westbrook has the lesser team. Harden has inconsistent pieces Little IT is doing impressive things in Boston Not sure why the Spurs are always glossed over but Kawhi Leonard LeBron is always in the conversation No Warriors deserve consideration Goes back to the media thing. Media conspiracy @Os Trigonum Media loves Westbrook Media likes the Rockets/Harden less "Media gave Steph the MVP unanimously last year, best player on best team right?! Now they're moving the hoop, just looking for reasons to give Westbrook the MVP!"
I'm going to go out on a limb here so don't laugh or call me crazy for this answer. I think the reason is because this is a Rockets fan site and not a Thunder fan site.
Everyone knows Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon are elite players, as evidenced by them pairing with MVP candidate Anthony Davis for years ... and going 30-52.
It actually blows my mind that people use that point to defend Russ. Comparing both rosters sans WB/Harden, you can make the argument that OKC actually has more talent. Thing we just have players that complement Harden better as well players that Harden makes look better. And btw, Gordon is shooting 39% compared to Oladipo's 35%
Ehh i was thinking like that earlier but I think its paranoid. I dont think james harden and rockets fans are victims of prejudice. Go on okc thunder forums and they say the same things about how westbrook is always disrespected. I mean harden is an all star starter and westbrook isnt.
I stopped listening to the MVP race back in mid-December. If Harden/Westbrook/Durant/Curry wins the MVP. You know LeBron is going to roll his eyes at the media towards the victor. Then the media will start sucking his knee caps........again. Then LeBron will cry that he needs more talent around him...that he needs an all-star team around him to win. The Cavs need to exceed $200 million and a star 1-9 in the rotation.
