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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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Dec 11, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Injured Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) and guard Isaiah Canaan (0) on the bench against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Injured Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) and guard Isaiah Canaan (0) on the bench against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The Rockets had injuries for the majority of the season

The other, and perhaps more important, factor regarding the Rockets erratic lineup has predictably been injuries. The most prominent injury for the 20-14-15 season was the knee injury to center Dwight Howard that forced him out of exactly half of the team’s regular season games. While Howard has not been his old self since before ever joining the Rockets, his rebounding presence, rim protection and powerful inside scoring has made it so the Rockets maintain ever better possession control.

Now with Howard back, the Rockets will be likely missing staring point guard Patrick Beverley and power forward Donatas Motiejunas for the remainder of the playoffs. Beverley gave the Rockets their best point defender, while Motiejunas offered a varied inside game and rebounding. Meanwhile, despite the physical gauntlet that James Harden went through during the season, he only missed 1 game, and that was due to suspension.

Next: Is Harden less entertaining?

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