LeBron. His impact on his team is only matched by Westbrook. Harden’s numbers are D’Antoni-inflated.
Cavs are a lottery team without LeBron. With him they are a threat to win the East if not the whole thing...Who is more valuable than that?
Statistically he played every game, led the league in points(3rd in avg), averaged career highs in rebounds and assists, shot 10% points better than Harden....maybe the finest season of an all time great in his 15th season.
Pretty clear who both the best player and most valuable is.
Cavs are a lottery team without LeBron. With him they are a threat to win the East if not the whole thing...Who is more valuable than that?
Statistically he played every game, led the league in points(3rd in avg), averaged career highs in rebounds and assists, shot 10% points better than Harden....maybe the finest season of an all time great in his 15th season.
Pretty clear who both the best player and most valuable is.
Not sure I entirely agree with that for this year. His numbers are very similar this year to 2015-16 before D'Antoni. I'm not sold on Westbrook having a high impact on his team, either.
2015-16: 29 ppg, 43.9% fg, 35.9% 3pt, 6.1 rpg, 7.5 apg, 1.7 spg, 4.6 turnovers per game.
2017-18: 30.4 ppg, 44.9% fg, 36.7% 3pt, 5.4 rpg, 8.8 apg, 1.8 spg, 4.4 turnovers per game.
I’d be okay with Harden winning, but I think it’s easier to rack up big numbers in a D’Antoni offense, and with the Rockets supporting cast, than it is for LeBron with this Cavs team. Westbrook, to me, is the closest current player to LeBron in terms of ability and dominance.
I think if the Rockets don't make the finals because Harden comes up short in the playoffs again, you're probably looking at the last time anyone in a D'Antoni offense will win MVP.
This is by far the most talented team he's ever had and the Warriors injuries/struggles have lined up everything perfectly for them to win the title. If Harden pulls another disappearing act, you have to assume their style is just not built for the post-season, or there's some sort of mental block there.
If you go by the actual meaning of MVP it is LeBron James.
James Harden has the Rockets with the best record in the NBA so that will win it especially since some have thought he has been shorted before with this award.
Are the Cavs better with Harden than with LeBron?
Are the Rockets better with LeBron then Harden?
I expect Harden to win.
The whole LeBron debate makes me laugh. We've watched this guy now for 15 years. People use the lack of perceived talent around him and subsequent team greatness to LeBron's value.
For awhile I bought it. But now the formula is crystal clear. LeBron runs off or annoys and really good teammates so much that they either get traded or leave when they get a chance. Of course he's going to be the most valuable when he's making it miserable for all of this teammates.
LeBron is a great individual player, but just think how great he could have been as a team player if he could just work with others? Is it odd that a 6'8" forward has never had a true point guard on his team? Because he always wants the ball in his hands!! He's run off any point guard he's ever had. LeBron should be a small forward, but he has to have the ball in his hands all the time, and any coach who've tried to coach him is canned or goes away.
Harden by a landslide.
The whole LeBron debate makes me laugh. We've watched this guy now for 15 years. People use the lack of perceived talent around him and subsequent team greatness to LeBron's value.
For awhile I bought it. But now the formula is crystal clear. LeBron runs off or annoys and really good teammates so much that they either get traded or leave when they get a chance. Of course he's going to be the most valuable when he's making it miserable for all of this teammates.
LeBron is a great individual player, but just think how great he could have been as a team player if he could just work with others? Is it odd that a 6'8" forward has never had a true point guard on his team? Because he always wants the ball in his hands!! He's run off any point guard he's ever had. LeBron should be a small forward, but he has to have the ball in his hands all the time, and any coach who've tried to coach him is canned or goes away.