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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 4, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) loses his shoe during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Marc Gasol

52 games, 34.0 MPG, 18.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.7 BPG, .495/—/.871 shooting, 22.6 PER

Last week: 6 (⇑1)

One-on-one, I’d take LaMarcus Aldridge over Marc Gasol. But with the Grizz winning nine of their last 10 games, the intangibles Big Spain brings to the table trump Aldridge’s offensive talent in these rankings. Memphis “only” trails the Golden State Warriors by 3.5 games and sit a full 3.5 games ahead of Aldridge’s Blazers in the standings.

To be clear, Gasol isn’t taking names and kicking ass like he was to start this contract year. His best game of the past week was either a 23-point outing against the Minnesota Timberwolves or a 16-10 he slapped up in an impressive win over the Atlanta Hawks. But the numbers have never been on Gasol’s side when it comes to MVP cases, so why start getting hung up on that now?

With a win over the Hawks and Warriors, the Grizzlies are one of only three teams to beat both conference-leaders. Gasol continues to anchor the defense, so even if his stat lines don’t look as nice as, say, Zach Randolph’s regular double-doubles, there’s no question who this team’s MVP is.

Next: No. 4 - King James