James Harden: Wins should impact MVP voting the most
By Ynal Al-Ouri
MVP candidate James Harden believes that the team’s record should heavily influence the MVP voting, and not just base it off a player’s season averages.
After the Houston Rockets defeated the Sacramento Kings Sunday night, James Harden was asked about his thoughts on his stats compared to Russell Westbrook’s, and what players usually think about their team’s records pertaining to boosting their MVP cases.
Harden quickly answered the reporter by explaining how he did not want to get into speaking about all of the statistics behind him and Westbrook’s seasons, but he did tell ESPN “I thought winning was the most important thing.”
Harden explained how he believes he has set up his team for a better shot at winning a championship this season, and that should carry a lot of weight in the voting process for the NBA’s most prestigious individual award. Although Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double on the season with averages of 31.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game coming into tonight, Harden isn’t too far behind with averages of 29.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game.
Harden explained how he believes he has set up his team for a better shot at winning a championship this season, and that should carry a lot of weight in the voting process for the NBA’s most prestigious individual award. Although Russell Westbrook is averaging a triple-double on the season with averages of 31.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists per game coming into tonight, Harden isn’t too far behind with averages of 29.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game.
Both players have legitimate cases to hoist the MVP trophy up. Westbrook is the first player to average a triple-double on the season since Oscar Robertson did it during the 1961-62 season, he also now holds the record for most triple-doubles in a season with 42. Harden is the only player in NBA history to score over 2000 points, and have over 2000 assists in the same season.
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The Rockets have a record of 54-26 and currently sit in the third seed in the Western Conference, while the Thunder hold a record of 46-34 and currently sit in the sixth spot in the west so the two leading MVP candidates are headed for a postseason duel. The voting for the award is going to be as close as ever, but unfortunately, one of these amazing players will be snubbed of the award.