NBA
James Harden Wins 2018 NBA MVP Award
The Houston Rockets have found a gem after trading for the former Six Man of the Year in 2012. Upon joining the Rockets, Harden has become one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers. James earned recognition as the best shooting guard in the NBA.
He joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average at least 20 points, eight assists, five rebounds and 1.7 steals in a season. James led the league in scoring, 3-pointers and 50-point games with four. All while helping the Rockets to an NBA-leading 65 wins.
James beat out four-time winner LeBron James of Cleveland and Anthony Davis of the Pelicans.He received the trophy at the NBA Awards on Monday night. Harden, who is from Los Angeles, led his mother on stage and credited her for being his backbone.
Finally Getting Over The Hump
Throughout his career in the NBA, James Harden has come frustratingly close to being named the league MVP, only to finish in second place.
Harden has finished as the runner-up twice in the last three years. Which is both a testament to his abilities and an indication that he’s never quite been able to snatch the award from its ultimate winners.
Balance And Efficiency Is The Key
Harden led the NBA in scoring this season, averaging a career-high 30.4 points per game for the 65-17 Rockets. Harden also sat atop the league in player efficiency rating and win shares, and was third in the NBA with 8.8 assists a night.
James Harden Received 86 Of 101 First Place Votes For MVP, 15 Second Place Votes https://t.co/FVA9DNtJg4 https://t.co/xjqlP3zDqL
— Oncle Phil BASKET (@onclephilnba) June 26, 2018
Via @ESPNStatsInfo the Thunder are the first franchise in NBA history to draft eventual MVPs in three straight seasons (2007-2009). (They were already the first franchise in NBA history to do it back-to-back as well with Durant and Westbrook.)
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) June 26, 2018
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