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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 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (middle) celebrates with teammates after his game-winning shot at the buzzer against the Phoenix Suns at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Phoenix Suns 85-83. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

7. DeMarcus Cousins

39 games, 34.5 MPG, 23.6 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.6 BPG, 1.4 SPG, .465/—/.799 shooting, 24.3 PER

Last week: 8 (⇑1)

Boogie’s rant after sinking the fourth(!!) game-winner of the season on the Phoenix Suns may have seemed out of place to some. The guy just hit a game-winning shot in a rare victory, what was with all the attitude? But for a star player who’s never had any sort of support with the Sacramento Kings, that bounce of destiny probably felt like a tiny reassurance that he was on the right path after all.

It was only one shot, but it felt like the biggest moment of the 2014-15 NBA season for the Kings. Not too long ago, Boogie was calling out his teammates‘ desire to win, and though it took a couple of lucky bounces, Cousins backed up his words with that shot. Like it or not, he’s the leader of this team. Now if only he could get some help.

Look at the numbers he’s putting up and tell me he’s not one of the best centers in the league, if not THE best. This isn’t a case of a guy putting up good numbers on losing teams. This is a case of having an underwhelming supporting cast that is carried by those big numbers. Please Sacramento, hire George Karl so Boogie has a chance at playing for a winning team, because any time a star player compares playing for a franchise to a mission of being tested by God, you know you’re doing something wrong.

Next: No. 6 - LMA