Has Giannis had 1 memorable moment so far this season? Harden already has the 44 point triple double and game winner @ Oracle and 61 @ MSG. He’s also averaging 36 ppg, 5 threes a game, and the most consecutive 30+ point games since Wilt. Giannis can’t compete with that.
The big thing with Giannis is he DOES have the stats PLUS "Team Wins." Bucks have an 8 game lead over Harden/Rockets in the loss column. Harden has some nice narrative going right now. He needs to CLOSE THE GAP in "team wins." If the Rockets can get to 50 wins AND a Top 3 seed in the west + continue the numbers, that could be enough to "off set" the fact that the Bucks might end up with BEST RECORD in the NBA along with Giannis' stats.
Yannis will maybe probably most likely win. Spoiler But the Bucks improvement is from going Jason Kidd/Joe Prunty ---> Mike Budenholzer. [Media conspiracy] Now we all know if this were James Harden(and some idiot talking heads still say it today), "This is just the D'Antoni effect. His stats are inflated! He's not really this good!"
Harden will get the MVP based on the historic stats and carrying a team with scrubs to top 4 in the west. This will be beat the typical "best player on the best team" narrative that usually works for MVP (ex. curry). It worked for Westbrook over Harden in 2017 because of the triple double. The other narrative of best player in the league will go to lebron but we have seen that's not enough to win MVP.
If there was one single media member saying Giannis or if Westbrook had been on a terrible team, your post might be solid.
That’s what I don’t get...when did ISO ball become the “D’Antoni effect”? It doesn’t sound very proprietary or inventive.
If the Bucks finish 1st in the League, Giannis walks it. If they finish 2nd or 3rd, he still will be a deserved winner, but Harden has a chance. Giannis checks all the boxes, he has the offensive stats, the defense, the wins and the narrative. What Harden has been doing is more impressive, but it is tough to make an MVP argument with fewer than 50 wins and a top seed. Now if Paul and Capela return quickly and we go on a massive winning streak that takes us to the 2nd seed in the West, then Harden should win. Harden should have won Curry's second and the Westbrook one, so he may get some votes from those that regret voting against him in the past.
If Paul comes back gimpy, Gordon stays inconsistent and Capela won't get back 100% until March and Harden continues his onslaught he'll win the award easily. I like Giannis and he "checks all the boxes" but the only box that matters is the one Harden has been checking during this run: [x] Domination
Could be. For what's worth, bookies agree with you. Best odds I could find for Harden are 8/15 (betting $15 gets you $8), while Giannis is 7/2.
I think there are two ways that Harden would lose the MVP. First would be his numbers start to become human again (fatigue, getting actual help, or God forbid injuries) or his numbers still hold up but we miss the playoffs entirely.
Before the season when the Rox were floundering Harden had no shot but now with him carrying the load and getting all the spotlight he has the MVP locked up barring a massive decline in his play. Giannis has been pretty good but as we have seen in seasons past it's all about the framing, you need a good angle to win MVP and "best individual contributor" isn't good enough like when Harden lost to Curry and to Westbrick. Harden's historic run trumps Giannis way more like if you look at the media they are all talking about Harden and not Giannis. Even the hate Harden gets works in his favor remember when everyone was talking about Westbrick asking his teammates to get rebs? Everybody admitted he was stat padding but he still won MVP that's because he got in the voters' head he was all they thought about. Same thing with Harden this season and as long as the Rox are still in playoff contention he will win MVP.
If harden continues the streak and beat warriors after all stars again and then brings the team gets a straight win to get 2nd seed, he has chances to win
If 2nd seed, I agree he would be he favorite. 4th seed, more likely, won’t be enough IMO, unless the Bucks collapse post all-star break.