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

3. He’s doing more than ever before

In an era where scouting reports and film study has become a perpetual device that teams utilize to try and contain opposing players, Harden has proven to be their Kryptonite, as last year’s scoring champion has successfully sought to carve up defenses no matter what looks and counter techniques they throw his way.

Over the last 20 games, Harden has managed to post video game-like numbers for Clutch City, averaging an astounding 42.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, while shooting 44.3 percent from the field.

The Rockets have won 17 out of their last 25 contests, in spite of playing without the likes of Clint Capela, Chris Paul and Eric Gordon throughout various stretches.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1091927007586177024

"“[He amazes] me,” Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle when recently asked about the face of the franchise. “It’s so rare. You can’t find in NBA history where a player has improved every year through age 29.” “Every year he adds something to his game. It’s astonishing. Most guys they get the success, they get the MVP. James has been to the playoffs every year of his career. He’s been to the conference finals three or four times. That success often times gets to you and you relax to it. It’s human nature.”"

Although fellow superstars such as Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard could easily be considered legitimate candidates to take home the NBA’s top individual honor, no one can deny that Harden’s recent display of dominance has helped him rise back up the official MVP leaderboard.

One could argue that the former Sixth Man of the Year has had to do more than ever before to carry his team compared to previous years.

Harden is on pace this season to have the most points per 100 possessions in league history per Basketball-Reference, as well as post the highest scoring average in a single season since Michael Jordan‘s career-high 37.1 points per game in 1986-87.

To put that into perspective, Harden is currently cementing his status as one of the all-time greats, as it’s possible the best still has yet to come from No. 13 on the current trip that has become known as The Unguardable Tour to Rockets fans.