I've seen so many people claim Lebron is the MVP the last few days. Harden actually had a better statistical game against a better team yesterday on the road. Ay yi yi...
Lebron still has the best narratives this year, backstabbed and betrayed by a younger brother he cared for, resolved locker room issue and leaded the team back to track, first player ever to win MVP in his 15th season, etc. If Cavs win 50+ games this season, which they're likely to given how they look right now, I think Lebron will win the MVP.
LeBron is my MVP pick because after forcing Kyrie Irving out & completely botching their offseason & first half of the season, they traded away half their roster & went on a 2nd half tear. That's a real great story.
Harden's legacy is really on the fence this year. He could win MVP, defeat GSW's super team, and Lebron in the playoffs. Would have his ring, his MVP, and only two rings off of Lebron with Huge numbers. He would immediately jump Durant in the legacy department as well. Could be a fun year.
this is too funny... there is absolutely no narrative for lebron, other then some claims that he is the best player in the world.. he used to be and definitely at the end of his prime.. I think they want to give him one to match him with Magic Johnson, so they can put him in front of magic.. Harden has the stats, the wins and head to head wins.. it notoriously funny to hear the stupid narrative that if lebron plays a good last 28 games, then he goes in front of Harden... meaning what Harden is doing and continues to do will have no impact, its all up to lebron..
Backstabbed and betrayed? Lebron is the one who pushed him out. Lebron did nothing to keep his locker room in order for over half the season and things were only resolved after Altman traded away a large portion of the team. Lebron only has the best narrative if u reach to give him one.
Which would imply to them that Lebron is actually leading in their mind now since he controls his destiny no matter what Harden does.... Its completely moronic. Don't bless us with logic. We aren't ready for that.
Kellerman makes no sense. If LeBron's stats are the same, and they're now 2-0 against OKC and Boston since the trade, he should win MVP if the Cavs continue to win? Harden has similar stats, yet his team has beaten GS twice, and Houston has been doing this all season. There should be no ignoring the first half of Cleveland's season, in determining MVP. Kellerman's only argument is that LeBron is better than Harden. If that's the case, why even have an award in the first place? Just give it to LeBron every year that he's in the league. Somebody needs to call Curry and Westbrook and have them give the 3 trophies between them, to LeBron. Hell, get Derrick Rose on the line too.
There is a reason why the media stopped talking about the MVP race a while back ago. It's because it's a one man race. Everyone else has fallen out and the only way to manufacture something would be to talk about Lebron (which is still a stretch)
I usually don't pay much attention to raw +/-, but it actually makes quite a bit of sense to consider it as an input for MVP rankings of players on different teams. It's less helpful for gauging who the MVP is on a given team.