1. His peers are making strong cases for his MVP candidacy
In a year where many up-and-coming stars from the likes of Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic have put together seasons to remember, James Harden’s latest lobby to amass the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award has stood out unlike any other in recent memory.
So much so, that many of his fellow peers who could make their own individual case for winning the award, have sought to provide members of the esteemed media with their thoughts on why Harden has been the game’s top performer for the second consecutive season.
"“He’s the only guy that can create and do things [for the Rockets],” Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George recently said when taking out time to discuss Harden’s current candidacy with Matt Moore of The Action Network. “He’s putting up 60 and they’re winning by 3 or 4.”"
Yet, it’s not just highly-esteemed players who feel strongly about what he has managed to exhibit on the floor, as coaches across the league have also made the effort to chime in on Harden’s most recent exploits over the last two and a half months.
James Harden said hello to #Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry during his media Q&A. Gentry’s response: “Slow down, OK?”
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 29, 2019
Berman: “Anything else you want to tell him?”
Gentry: “Try to stay under 60.” #Rockets pic.twitter.com/ulTCkTA3Xo
"“He’s very difficult to guard and he’s so efficient to be as aggressive as he is right now and also to be as efficient and poised,” Jazz head coach Quin Snyder said per Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News on Harden this past weekend. “It’s not like he’s coming down and it never feels like he’s selfish, it just feels like he’s making the right play all the time and a lot of times the right play is him shooting the ball. He’s playing at a level that is rare.”"
“The way he’s (James Harden) playing right now, nothing can help you. I’m just being honest. You just gotta out there. Do what what I do. That’s being a pest & playing hard.”-Corey Brewer on if his experience with Harden will help him defensively. #Rockets pic.twitter.com/9RzksFrLWx
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 22, 2019
Although Harden’s shot at winning the award will come down to who the media decides to vote following the conclusion of the season, hearing his fellow associates speak highly of him — from rival players and tacticians alike — must feel comforting for the former Arizona State standout.
Harden is currently among the top, if not near it in nearly every statistical category this season, as the young man that once promised his mother that he would become a star someday has found a way to successfully transform himself into one down in Houston.