James Harden: Playing in every game should matter in MVP discussion

James Harden has played in all 73 games for the Houston Rockets so far this season, and he thinks that should matter in the race for Most Valuable Player.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Harden was asked if he believes the fact he has yet to miss a game should factor into the decision of the MVP voters.

“Yeah, because you’re not leaving your teammates out there to dry,” said the five-time All-Star guard, per Calvin Watkins of ESPN. “For me, I worry about always having my teammates’ back and always being out there.”

“I’m going to have [my teammates’] back and they know that they have mine as well,” he continued. “For the coaching staff and the fans, especially here in Houston, the front office, I’m here to play.”

For Harden, who is averaging career-highs this season in points (29.4), rebounds (8.0), and assists per game (11.3, tops in the league), he has been quick to tout himself as a contrarian to the NBA’s recent epidemic of stars sitting out games for rest. The Rockets themselves have also been doing whatever they can lately to promote Harden’s MVP case.

Harden’s durability this season is no doubt impressive, especially considering that he’s second in the league in total minutes played with 2,666 (per ESPN). But with Harden’s main competition for the award, former teammate Russell Westbrook, also appearing in all 73 games thus far for his Oklahoma City Thunder, there still may not be a clear-cut winner.