NBA: Ranking the top 9 MVP candidates at the All-Star break
By Kyle Crabbe
2. James Harden, Houston Rockets
2018-19 Season Stats: 53 Games Played, 36.5 ppg, 6.7 Reb pg, 7.8 Ast pg, 2.2 Stl pg, 0.8 Blk pg, .441 Fg %, .374 3-pt %, .870 FT %
2018-19 Win Shares:
Offensive Win Shares: 8.3 (Ranked 1st)
Defensive Win Shares: 2.2
Total Win Shares: 10.4 (Ranked 1st)
In the eyes of many, Houston Rockets guard James Harden has already locked up his second straight NBA MVP award. Harden is having yet another historic NBA season this year and has been on an absolute legendary tear since the beginning of the year 2019.
The 2018 NBA MVP and scoring champion has followed up that great year by improving virtually in all areas of his basketball game.
Harden has been criticized heavily for his limited successes on the defensive side of the court versus his incredible offensive output. This season, Harden has also been locking in on the defense, starting with his top 3 stats in total steals and steals per game. On top of that Harden has put together a MVP worthy resume for this season like only few in NBA history could.
Harden is 1st in scoring, 1st in field goals attempts and made, 1st in free throw attempts and made, 1st in minutes per game, 1st in usage, as well as 1st in offensive win shares and overall win shares. These are only a few descriptions of Harden’s dominate 2018-19 season so far. Harden could well be on his way to two straight NBA’s Most Valuable player award if he continues this play all year.