OKC Thunder TIP3: Harden MVP chase, LeBron Rockets rumors, CP3 injury history

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TULSA, OK- OCTOBER 3: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball during the preseason game against the OKC Thunder on October 3, 2017 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Shane Bevel/NBAE via Getty Images) /

TI Q2 – Is this finally the year Harden wins MVP?

James Harden has been the MVP bridesmaid twice in recent years. Last season it was hard to deny the historic record setting Russell Westbrook performance meriting the win. But, in 2014-15 when Stephen Curry won his first MVP, James Harden did everything short of carrying his team on his back

That squad was decimated by constant injury with Trevor Ariza and James Harden being the only two players to remain healthy. Harden was robbed. At least in this scribe’s opinion the MVP should be more about precisely what the award is called “most valuable”. In other words without that player on your team where would the squad be.

Same faces chasing the award:

This season James Harden has been by far the early season choice for the award. But, in the East LeBron James is putting up ridiculous numbers on par with his previous MVP years and he’s doing it in his 15th season.

Former teammate and friend Kevin Durant is tasked with keeping the Warriors afloat with Stephen Curry out injured. My personal take on this situation is unless the entire Hampton’s lineup misses half the season simultaneously, no one on that squad should be allowed to win MVP given the absolute glut of All-Stars on one squad.

And, depending on what other teams do between now and mid April, there may be other challengers.

Is this James Harden’s season to finally win the MVP Award? What must he do to ensure he turns three times into a charm and how true are the rumors he is driven to win the award?

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