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NBA Awards 2015: 5 reasons James Harden should have won MVP

By Luke Dahlgren

Apr 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after making a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 115 to 111. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after making a three point basket against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 115 to 111. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates a win in overtime with teammates guard Shaun Livingston (34) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) walks off the court at the end of game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 123-119 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates a win in overtime with teammates guard Shaun Livingston (34) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) walks off the court at the end of game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 123-119 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

On the other hand … the Warriors were incredibly lucky and consistent as a supporting cast

While Harden was forced to endure erratic play from the rest of his ever-changing Rockets supporting cast, the Golden State Warriors’ lineup remained solid and unchanging throughout the season. Within his staring lineup, Curry also had a top five shooting guard in Klay Thompson, defensive player of the year candidate Draymond Green, tough and savvy center Andrew Bogut and slick fifth man scorer Harrison Barnes.

The bench may have been even more impressive, led by veteran energy pill Andre Iguodala and supported by talented, stick-figured (and except for this year, often injured) point guard Shaun Livingston, pirate captain Leandro Barbosa, long-time starter David Lee and Marreese Speights. The Warriors have been blessed with a relative lack of injuries, and that lineup consistency has forced a ton of the pressure off of Curry during the season.

Next: Houston's injuries

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