The reason the MVP debate is so difficult to choose, yet so simple.
James Harden carried the Rockets on his back early in the season while Chris Paul was injured this year.
Harden was truly a spectacle posting multiple 60 pt games, multiple 50 pt games and averaging 36.1 points 7.5 assists 6.6 rebounds 2.0 steals a game in one of the best scoring seasons we’ve ever witnessed.
Harden also had many notable and exciting comeback victories, and was utterly sensational for most the season.
On the other hand,
If we are being consistent on what the MVP has been throughout history, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who posted 27.7 points 6 assists, 12.5 rebounds per game, should be the likely candidate.
Why is this the case?
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the best overall player on the best team, the Milwaukee Bucks, who finished 60-22 this regular season.
Despite recent exceptions, like Russell Westbrook took the 2017 MVP the main reason that he took the award is because his team was still in decent playoff position despite the loss of Kevin Durant that season. Not to mention averaged a triple double for the first time since Oscar Robertson did it decades ago.
Harden took it last year with worse stats than this year, seemingly because the NBA community felt he was owed one. It is also crazy that the Rockets 53 win season, which is a good record by any stretch, may hurt Harden’s back to back candidacy for MVP, as his team won 65 games the season prior.
How can we quantify who is “owed” what when it comes to the MVP? Do we pick it at Random?
Should Lebron James have 7-8 MVPs? Should Jordan?
Why does Kobe Bryant, who has 5 NBA titles only have one MVP, yet Steve Nash, who has never won a championship, has two MVPs?
The standard seems to change, every few years or so as the game itself changes.
Giannis has been the best player in the league, on the best team all year and I’d argue he deserves consideration for the defensive player of the year, the most improved player and the MVP award, I am sure he won’t get all of them.
This is why I would give Giannis the MVP award over James Harden.
Being on the best team this year makes it simple. Giannis became the most dominant player on both ends at his position while making so many big improvements this season. Giannis also was the leader a team with lesser stars and talents, yet guys who add greatly to the overall formula that has been the Milwaukee Bucks incredible, possibly title clinching season.