This season’s NBA MVP race is one of the closest ones we’ve seen in years as it will be particularly difficult to choose between Steph Curry and James Harden.
Both Curry and Harden are extremely deserving of the award and have led their respective teams to the top two spots in the Western Conference, all while playing outstanding ball.
This week, Harden said he felt he is the league MVP.
“I feel as though I am the MVP,” the Houston Rockets star told NBA.com. “I think the MVP is the most valuable player to your team. Obviously you have to be winning and be one of the top teams in this league and we are.
“I’m not taking credit away from anybody else in the league. But I’ve been consistent all year. I’ve just been doing the right things to put my team in situations to win, considering all of the different circumstances we’ve had to deal with.
“I’m looking at all those things put together. Like I said, not taking away from Steph or that team. It’s an unbelievable season that they’re having. But we’re having a pretty good season as well with all the injuries and all that we’ve been going through this season.
“Look, I understand that people can go either way with it. But for the most valuable player, I think I would have the edge.”
Those are fair comments from Harden because he should believe he is worthy of the award.
Though Harden does not mind campaigning for himself as MVP, Curry will not do the same. After scoring 45 points on 17-for-23 shooting Thursday night against Portland, Curry was told about Harden’s comments and offered a response.
“Ahh … that might have been a little aggressive,” the Warriors guard told CSN Bay Area.
Curry isn’t about to campaign for himself the same way Harden did, but he’ll let his outstanding play do the talking. He probably should be more vocal about it, though, as that could make a difference. When other MVP candidates around the league are saying Harden deserves it, Curry needs to have a comeback.
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