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NBA Awards Watch: Why Isn’t James Harden The MVP Favorite Again?

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) points to the sky against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Rockets won 127-118. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) points to the sky against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Rockets won 127-118. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Clippers beat the Mavs 115-98. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Chris Paul

53 games, 34.6 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 9.7 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.9 SPG, .472/.386/.885 shooting, 24.9 PER

Last week: 10 (⇑1)

With Blake Griffin set to be reevaluated in three weeks, there’s a very real chance the Los Angeles Clippers join the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder in that race for the seventh and eighth playoff spots in the West. Then again, Monday night’s dominant win over the Dallas Mavericks shows Chris Paul is still capable of running the show when his team needs him most.

In that 17-point road victory that ended Lob City’s four-game skid, CP3 put up 25 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and two steals. The Clippers have one of the league’s best offenses once again this year, and if Paul can carry the Clippers through the next three weeks, he could work his way further up these rankings.

That being said, it definitely won’t be easy. The Clippers had been struggling lately with The Flyin’ Lion, so CP3 is really going to have to take control considering Los Angeles’ tough batch of opponents over the next three weeks: the Houston Rockets (twice), San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies (twice), Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers.

Next: No. 8 - Russ