Houston Rockets: James Harden And The Lost MVP

By Mauricio Putz | Mar 24, 2015

Mar 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Just before the 2014-15 season got under way, general managers around the league voted James Harden as the best shooting guard in the NBA. However, the Houston Rockets‘ front man got no 2014-15 MVP votes whatsoever.

Once the season got under way, the latter looked like a huge mistake.

For the first half of the regular season, there was almost no doubt regarding James Harden’s MVP-worthy season. During said period of time Harden led the league in Points Per Game with 27.4 on .454/.383/.870 shooting and turned the 36-17 Houston Rockets into a top-5 contender in the Western Conference.

Pre All-Star

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Post-All Star

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As you can see, it’s been after the All-Star break that James Harden has lost grip over the Most Valuable Player award.

And even though he’s way more important to the Houston Rockets than any other player to his respective team — with the exception of LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers — James Harden’s stumble has allowed Stephen Curry to emerge as the leading MVP candidate for the season.

Curry has not only set the league on fire with his hypnotising shooting-motion and ball-handles, he has also led the Golden State Warriors‘ borderline-historical run. From a point differential standpoint, the Warriors’ regular season so far speaks volumes to what they should accomplish during the playoffs as they outscore opponents by an average of 10.4 points per game.

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That number is good enough for fourth in NBA history behind (1) Wilt Chamberlain‘s 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, 12.3; (2) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks, 12.2; and (3) Michael Jordan‘s 1996-97 Chicago Bulls, 10.8.*

Unfortunately for James Harden, his career year is seen through a glass that’s been spoiled with ridiculously high expectations. High expectations delivered by past MVPs, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, and the Warriors’ unbelievable season.

Even with the regular season still going and some games left before any vote is logged in, James Harden’s MVP case rests solely on Golden State’s regular season record. Out of the last 10 MVPs, 4 have not been a part of the team with the best record in the league. And only one of those MVPs has been a part of a team without a top-three regular season record — LeBron James in 2011-12.

So if the Warriors finish first in the NBA and reach the 65-plus win mark, it is highly unlikely for MVP-voters to choose James Harden over Curry. It just wouldn’t make sense.

After Monday’s 44-point game explosion against the Indiana Pacers‘ fourth-best defense in the league (per points per game allowed) many will think the MVP is still Harden’s to lose. Unfortunately for him, voters usually go for the best guy in the best team, if there is one. In this case, that would be Stephen Curry.

Better luck next time, “King” James.

*Note: Every single team that has had a +10.0 regular-season point differential has won the championship, except for the 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs.

Next: Rockets: The New Villains of the NBA

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