Las Vegas oddsmakers agree: James Harden might be right about betting on himself as MVP
James Harden declared himself the MVP of the 2020-21 NBA season.
Confident.
Braggadocious.
Entertaining.
And perhaps not wrong.
Asked after a recent 44-point, 14-rebound, eight-assist performance if he belonged in the MVP conversation, Harden said, “I feel like I am the MVP.”
Boasting aside, and the fact the award is voted on by people other than Harden, his point is worth considering.
He is a vital part of the MVP conversation without question.
Could Harden win his second MVP and become the first player to win the award after an in-season trade?
It’s trending that way because of Harden’s play and a possibly thinning field withinjuries to Joel Embiid and LeBron James.
Let’s start with Harden’s performance.
The Nets are 25-9 since they acquired Harden – with one loss coming when Harden didn’t play – and he has averaged 26.4 points, 11.4 assists and 8.2 rebounds and shot 46.3% from the field and 36.2% on 3-pointers.
Brooklyn has played just seven games with Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in the lineup, but even when Harden has been in the lineup without Irving and Durant, the Nets still win.
James Harden has altered his game since being traded to Brooklyn to help complement All-Stars Kyrie Irving (11) and Kevin Durant. (Photo: Jeff Chiu, AP)
He’s carrying the team, and it’s worth noting Irving and Durant have been excellent when in the lineup.
On Monday, Harden had 38 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, registering his 12th triple-double, which ties him for the franchise’s single-season record.
When the Nets acquired Harden from Houston in the January trade, the important questions were: Could Harden adapt and play with two other stars without jeopardizing harmony? Does Harden want to win a championship enough to sacrifice parts of his game?
He has answered yes to those questions.
With the Nets, his shot attempts are down at least four per game compared to his two previous seasons with Houston, but his assists are up four more per game than the two previous seasons. And his 8.7 rebounds are three more per game than his career average.
His points per game are down and his usage rate is down. But the Nets are winning.
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It’s an MVP-caliber season with a team that is tied with Philadelphia for first place in the Eastern Conference.
That doesn’t mean Harden, who won MVP in 2018, will win it this season. It’s a deep field filled with former MVPs (LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry) and players trying to win their first (Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Damian Lillard, Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell).
Injuries may impact the voting, which is done by media who cover the NBA. Embiid has missed the past three weeks, though he is expected back soon. If James doesn’t return until later in April, that will be a month out for him. It will be interesting to see how a monthlong absence influences voters. Of course, the play of Embiid and James when they return can also sway voting.
Jokic is having a great season and is the favorite to win MVP, according to Vegas odds. But Harden has moved up and has the next best odds, ahead of Embiid, Antetokounmpo, James and Lillard.
It doesn’t take oddsmakers to notice Harden’s season and what he is doing for the Nets.
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