You can go ahead and add Houston Rockets guard James Harden to the list of players who want him to walk away with league MVP.
“I feel as though I am the MVP”‘ Harden stated to NBA.com “I think the MVP is the most valuable player to your team. Obviously you have to be winning to be one of the top teams in this league and we are.”
The third overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft has certainly put up MVP-type numbers this season.
Through 78 games, Harden is currently tied with fellow MVP candidate Russell Westbrook, in averaging 27.5 points per game. In addition, Harden also contributes 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per contest.
While his statistics aren’t as eye-popping as Westbrook’s, Houston is currently fighting for one of the top four seeds in the Western Conference and Oklahoma City is fighting to be the eighth. Based on recent history, the final MVP vote will likely favor the higher-seeded Harden.
Of course, Westbrook isn’t the only MVP candidate that could steal Harden’s trophy. Steph Curry has a legitimate shot at walking away with the honor as well. His 23.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per contest are a huge catalyst in the Golden State Warriors NBA best record. However, Harden was quick to respond on Curry’s MVP chances.
“Like I said, not taking away from Steph or that team. It’s an unbelievable season that they’re having. But we are having a pretty good season as well with all the injuries and all that we’ve been going through this season.”
If you ask James Harden It’s a pretty obvious choice who will win the NBA MVP.
Fear the Beard.