Houston Rockets: 3 reasons why James Harden is the NBA MVP

In a year where many stars have put together MVP-worthy campaigns, Houston Rockets star guard James Harden has recently made an incredible case of his own.

Despite being regarded by many hoops fans as one of basketball’s most polarizing players due to his style of play, James Harden has managed to show the majority of court-side spectators why he is the arguably the baddest man on the hardwood as of recent times.

The seven-time All-Star — who captured NBA MVP honors in 2017-18 — is currently playing at a historic level, averaging a career-best 36.5 points, 7.9 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game in his seventh year with the Houston Rockets.

In January, Harden became the first player in NBA history to generate a 40-point, eight-rebound and seven-assist stat line for an entire calendar month.

In the process, Harden placed his name among the greats and legends.

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Harden — who has scored at least 30 points or more in 28 consecutive outings — became the first player to record at least 600 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in a month since Jerry West in December 1965 on the way to capturing his second straight Western Conference Player of the Month honor.

Now, the 29-year-old superstar guard is picking up the new month right where he left off, as the man known as The Beard seeks to help Houston climb back atop the Western Conference standings prior to the upcoming All-Star break.

Here are the three reasons why Harden should be the clear-cut favorite to win back-to-back MVPs come season’s end.