We’ve got another heated race for NBA MVP; this time instead of Stephen Curry, James Harden is now up against his former teammate, Russell Westbrook. Fans are split between the two guards and there’s the age-old debate about team status vs. player stats. The Houston Rockets currently have the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference while the Oklahoma City Thunder are sitting at No. 6, but Harden is averaging 29. 4 points, 8 rebounds, and 11.3 assists while Westbrook is averaging a triple-double of 31.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 10.4 assists. Will “The Beard” lose out again? Kobe Bryant says we could end up with co-MVPs for the first time.
NBA: 32 Front Office Execs Including 20 GMs Make Their MVP Pick
Stephen Curry was the back-to-back NBA MVP including the first unanimous vote last season. This season is much different as there’s no clear-cut frontrunner. Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook has been dazzling fans as he is close to joining Oscar Robertson as the only other player to average a triple-double for an entire season. James Harden (who many people have on top) added playmaking to his repertoire after switching to point guard and has the Houston Rockets looking like title contenders. Kawhi Leonard kills on both ends of the court, leading the San Antonio Spurs to the best record in the league currently. Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James is having one of the best individual seasons of his storied career and would become just the fourth player to win at least five MVP honors if he was selected. Isaiah Thomas and John Wall are dark horses as their teams have turned things around, but for the most part, it’s a four-player race.
(Video) NBA: League Gives Kawhi Leonard a Drug Test Immediately After MVP Performance Over Rockets
Of all the professional sports leagues in America, the NBA is either the most lax in the rules or has the least amount of players using performance-enhancing drugs. The NBA tests players randomly four times during the season and twice during the offseason, and it’s extremely rare that a player gets in trouble for PEDs. Nonetheless, San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard was given a drug test immediately after his incredible MVP performance over the Houston Rockets.
NBA: James Harden Says He’s the League MVP
When asked who’s the best, most athletes will almost always say themselves; it’s the attitude you’re supposed to have. So it was no shock when James Harden chose himself as the NBA MVP. He no doubt still carries a chip on his shoulder after losing out on the award to Stephen Curry during a season in which they were neck and neck. But Harden didn’t name himself just cause, he gave reasons why.
NBA: LeBron James Says Stephen Curry Deserves MVP, But ‘Most Valuable’ is Open to Interpretation
Stephen Curry is the back-to-back NBA MVP. He’s the 11th player in league history to win the award in consecutive years, the third point guard to win the award multiple times joining Magic Johnson (3) and Steve Nash (2), but he’s the only player in league history to win the award by a unanimous vote. There’s no doubt that Curry deserves the award, but LeBron James, who finished third behind Curry and San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard, said the honor can be interpreted in different ways.
NBA: Stephen Curry to be Named MVP for Second Straight Season
This is no surprise we were merely waiting for it to be announced; Stephen Curry has been named the NBA MVP for the second straight season according to ESPN.
