Fansided

Selecting the 2014-15 All-NBA Teams

By Brad Rowland

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends the shot by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends the shot by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) defends during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) defends during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Guard – James Harden, Houston Rockets

Harden has been the epitome of a one-man band in Houston, and the results were staggeringly good.

Dwight Howard missed approximately half of the season with injury, but the former Arizona State star was able to drag the Rockets (sometimes kicking and screaming) to the number two seed in the West. That is a feat in and of itself, and Harden needed to be playing at an MVP-level to achieve.

For the season, the 25-year-old Harden averaged 27.4 points per game (2nd in the NBA) to go along with 7.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds per contest. By nature of a massive workload, Harden actually finished ahead of Curry in total win shares (not adjusted for minutes), and he basically landed among the top-5 in every major advanced statistical category.

At this point, we are all aware that James Harden is a monster offensively, but he also made strides on the defensive end. No one could responsibly claim that Harden is a “plus” defender, but he is certainly isn’t the YouTube embarrassment of a season ago, and given his immense offensive responsibilities this season, that is all that Kevin McHale could ask for from his star.

This is a rare season in that four players absolutely deserved first team consideration, but Curry and Harden are 1-2 on the great majority of MVP ballots and they land here.

Next: LeBron James