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Midseason NBA Player Rankings: Steph Curry vs. James Harden

By Bryce Olin

Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 126-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 126-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale (L) talks to guard James Harden (13) against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale (L) talks to guard James Harden (13) against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

2. James Harden 

27.2 PPG, 6.7 APG, 5.5 RPG, 27.6 PER

Over the weekend, Harden scored 45 points on only 18 shots in one of the best scoring performances of the season.

This week, James Harden also called out the Golden State Warriors and said, “They ain’t that good.”

It’s hard to say a team that’s won 85 percent of their games the first half of the season isn’t any good, but I’ll give Harden a pass.

He was obviously trying to make his team believe that Golden State, a team who had beat the Rockets twice by 11 points and 25 points, respectively, is a beatable team. Well, now the Warriors have beaten the Rockets three times!

Harden’s comments sparked MVP conversations of who is more deserving; Harden or Steph Curry.

Right now, it’s basically a toss-up, but it’s really hard to compare.

Harden is carrying the Rockets this season and has been really good on offense, and, actually, pretty decent on defense, as well. Harden is also the league’s leading scorer.

Because of Harden’s effort, the Rockets are in fifth in the West.

Curry is a much different situation. Where Harden has to score, pass, and even defend, Curry can pick and choose his spots because the Warriors are so talented. Klay Thompson is averaging more than 20 points per game. Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala, and Marreese Speights have also been really good.

Harden is doing it, basically, alone. Curry has a whole team to help him, but he’s also been really good.

I’ll watch the second half of the season before I pick!

Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?

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