Let's talk MVP.
Who should win the award for their performance in this regular season? Why?
For additional points, explain how you see the MVP award and list the next 3-4 guys on your hypothetical "ballot."
For me, this question isn't that hard to answer.
In my view, the most sensible way to define MVP is to think of it as an award for the most outstanding individual performance over the course of the regular season by a player on a team with a plausible chance at winning the Finals.
My list of teams with a chance at a title (i.e. contenders) includes Golden State, San Antonio, Houston, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Washington, Boston, and Toronto.
So yes, that leaves out Russell Westbrook, right off the bat. Averaging a triple double is extremely impressive. Setting aside his sheer production, the energy he expends on a nightly basis is unbelievable. He is a force of nature, always playing at full speed. Nevertheless, his team is just OK, and I'm not sure he how much he really makes the game easier for his teammates.
Out of the remaining options, I choose James Harden.
Curry has had a characteristically excellent season as the most important player on the best team in the league. Kawhi has played elite defense while carrying the Spurs offense, and his team has the second best record in the league.
Still, I think in terms of one player doing the most for his team and putting up historic numbers, Harden is the guy. He combines his typical elite scoring with prolific playmaking, and his team is almost as potent offensively as the Warriors despite the fact that the second most dangerous scorer on the roster is Eric Gordon. While I think Eric Gordon has had a nice season, he's nowhere close to Klay Thompson or Kevin Durant in terms of the danger he poses to a defense.
Who's your pick, and why?