James Harden and the Houston Rockets got off to a slow start to the 2018-19 campaign as the team struggled with roster changes. As a result, the reigning league MVP wasn’t quite as hyper-efficient as he had been the year prior.
However, Harden came alive in December, and as such, the Rockets season turned around in the process. Houston vaulted up to the fourth spot in the West behind their star’s historic month. In December, Harden averaged 36.9 points, 7.9 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game with a 44.6/41.3/87.1 shooting split, finding his groove to the dismay of his opponents.
Harden’s close to 2018 was spectacular, even if at times frustrating as he marched to the free throw line 186 times in 15 games including a 27 free throw attempt outing. That month-long outburst brought him back near the top of the MVP conversation, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Paul George, and others (like Nikola Jokic if Denver stays hot). While some shy away from MVP talk during the season, Harden embraces it and publicly states it as one of his goals.
James Harden on the MVP: I need it, I need it for sure, and I’m gonna get it
— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) January 2, 2019
When you already have an MVP award in your trophy case, you can talk like this because he does know what is required of his production to get another MVP. Also, while some may think this is a selfish statement or putting personal accolades before the team, the Rockets in their current state seem to need Harden playing at this ridiculous level to be at their best, so him gunning for MVP-type numbers does seem to be in the best interests of Houston as well.
Still, the big question is whether Harden will struggle with voter fatigue. It’s not all that rare for a player to land back-to-back MVPs — it’s happened five times since 2000 — but it does require an especially sensational performance in that second year. How the Rockets fare in the West and how the Bucks do in the East may very well end up being the deciding factor if both Harden and Giannis remain on the pace they are on.
If either team finishes in the four or five range of their conference with the other in the top spot or second spot, that could very well be the difference maker in voting as both players are posting astronomical numbers.
