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Predicting The NBA’s Biggest Headlines In 2017

By Josh Cornelissen

January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with forward Andre Iguodala (9) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 9, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket while guarded by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. The rockets won 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) drives to the basket while guarded by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the second half at AT&T Center. The rockets won 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Snuffed Out: MVP James Harden cannot solve Kawhi Leonard’s defense as Spurs beat Rockets to advance to Western Conference Finals

As has been enumerated across the Internet in recent days, James Harden has now joined Russell Westbrook at the forefront of the MVP race. While Westbrook is clinging to his triple-double average and forcibly dragging the Thunder to wins, Harden has shined as the offensive maestro for the West’s most surprising team.

James Harden is fourth in the league in points (28.2 per game), first in assists (11.9), and one of only two guards in the top-30 in rebounds (8.2, behind only Westbrook’s 10.5). While Westbrook’s averages are historic, Harden’s recent New Year’s Eve explosion was one of the best individual performances in league history. No other player had ever dropped 50-15-15, but Harden spun a line of 53 points, 17 assists and 16 rebounds against the New York Knicks.

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The other advantage Harden has is team success, as the Houston Rockets are currently third in the Western Conference, one of only four teams league wide with single-digit losses. That puts them seven full games ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder, a margin that could continue to increase as the season goes on. Harden recently prevailed over Westbrook on Thursday night in the two teams’ latest showdown.

While Harden is the front-runner for MVP, and the Rockets are exceeding the expectations of even their most bullish supporters, there is one problem Houston is likely to run into come May: the San Antonio Spurs.

Not only have the Spurs compiled a better record thus far this season, but they have the solution to slowing down the Rockets’ high-octane offense: Kawhi Leonard. The league’s best perimeter defender has shown the ability to completely lock down James Harden, and for Houston that puts the onus on other players to create offense.

With Danny Green available to guard Eric Gordon, Patrick Beverly present to hide Tony Parker on defense, and a dynamic big in LaMarcus Aldridge to attack Ryan Anderson, the Spurs are uniquely structured to take down Houston’s advantages while hiding their own disadvantages.

If the two teams face off in May, that will most likely mean a level of success for Houston that they didn’t expect this season. But the most likely MVP will meet his kryptonite, and it’s unlikely the Rockets will advance any further.