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James Harden couldn't be any more proud of having played every one of the Houston Rockets‘ 73 games so far this season. With 51 wins in the bag and nine games remaining, The Beard emphasized just how much consistency and durability should factor into the MVP race.
“Yeah, (it matters) because you're not leaving your teammates out there to dry,” Harden told ESPN's Calvin Watkins prior to Tuesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors. “For me, I worry about always having my teammates back and always being out there knowing that no matter what I'm going to be out there, unless I'm injured and then that's a different story. I'm going to be out there.”
Unlike most stars that are quick to deny the Most Valuable Player award has as much importance as a team goal does, Harden has been quite vocal about wanting it, ever since finishing runner-up to eventual 2014-15 MVP winner Stephen Curry.
The Rockets have done their utmost to build a case for Harden to win MVP, given how tough it is to go against a player that is putting up historic numbers like Russell Westbrook is this season.
The team's Twitter account recently mocked Westbrook's triple-double in a 12-point loss to the Rockets, claiming wins are what matters and triple-doubles are “just a number.” But by that logic, it would make San Antonio‘s Kawhi Leonard or Golden State‘s Curry a much stronger candidate.
Westbrook has also played in all 73 games, but Leonard and Isaiah Thomas have been forced to sit a few games because of injuries. LeBron James, at 32 years of age, has gotten the occasional rest in order to maintain his energy and health for the playoffs.
“I'm going to have (my teammates) back and that they know that they have mine as well,” said Harden, who leads the league in assists (11.3), and is second in points (29.4). “For the coaching staff and the fans, especially here in Houston, the front office, I'm here to play.”
While it's mostly seen as two-horse race between Harden and Westbrook, surely some voters will favor wins and others will feel compelled to vote for the historical factor of Westbrook's all-around game. In a war of opinions, only time will tell.
