James Harden - HOU - G

"D'Antoni said he will likely sit regulars in one of the games in the upcoming back-to-back against the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers on the road Sunday and Monday. Other than that, the Rockets' goal is to hit the playoffs at their best." (http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Mike-D-Antoni-not-taking-final-week-for-granted-11050002.php?)

I cannot complain about Harden missing the last game of my finals matchup; I likely wouldn't have made it that far without him.

James Harden lost me a league.

I have Harden and TJ Warren in my lineup tonight with no fill ins. SUCKS.

Impeccable timing...I have him in both of my finals matchups.

Here comes the rest games for the rockets

Harden is the Vegas odds favorite...I'd give him the edge right now.

My fantasy team would like to thank all you people for arguing over this so Harden will continue to not miss games even though he is clearly playing injured.

See look even after the MVP is awarded nobody is going to be able to agree on who actually won!

I don't think so Greg, he won the inaugural players association MVP in Steph's first MVP season. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_NBPA_Players_Awards#Most_Valuable_Player_.28sponsored_by_Toyota.C2.AE.29

I'm just happy fans aren't voting. I probably couldn't live with Zaza as the MVP

Yeah, I don't actually care who wins, it does amaze me how mahy people are so passionate about it and are convinced their candidate is the only option. If any of Westbrook, Harden, Leonard, or James won, I'd be cool with it. It's not like Jamal Crawford winning sixth man last year.

He was runner up Josh not the winner. But your point remains valid. It's not like Harden was an average player prior to D Antoni.

To be clear I think both have had great years. I'm not trying to predict who will win, but rather why I think Harden has been more valuable this year. Regardless of who wins it doesn't change my personal opinion. I also won't be upset f Westbrook wins. A lot of people seem to be really invested in the MVP race this year. I would still like to hear a rational argument for why you think Westbrook is more efficient though

I'm not saying that, but you said without D'Antoni he would go back to the player he was last season and we would'nt have this conversion, when in fact he won the NBAPA MVP two years ago without D'Antoni, so his play is not a D'Antoni phenomenon.

Fairly certain that James Harden wouldn't win the NBAPA MVP over Russell Westbrook in 2016/17.

Do you mean Harden would go back to being the player that won NBAPA MVP over Steph Curry in 2014/15?

Those stats are inflated for Harden because they play on different teams with different systems so a statistical argument based upon those variables is really irrelevant. Remember the Suns? The run and gun, 7 seconds or less, pick-and-roll with your big's style of play inflates stats. There's a reason Steve Nash's stats spiked in all categories when he began to play for D'Antoni. The system is also the primary reason he won back-to-back MVP while playing worse defense than Harden. His style fit the system. If Harden didn't have this system he would be the same player he was last year and we wouldn't even be having this conversation. What I see with my own eyes when watching 75% of both of these two teams play this season is two ball dominant players. One with a skilled team offensively that constantly runs opponents to the ground and inflates statistical output for all players, and another with an offensively inept starting lineup that has one variable for success: Westbrook.

To follow up on what skywalka said, every role player on the Rockets is above their career average in efficiency. Most have either set a new career high in TS% or are close to their career high. I think Harden has to get at least some credit for this.

That's lazy analysis. Harden's supporting cast is no different from Westbrooks. Offensively I will take Kanter and Oladipo over any of the Rockets players not named Harden. Both are great players. I personally would give the MVP to Westbrook, but to act like Westbrook is just that much of a better player is ridiculous. D Antoni ran the same system in PHo, NYC, Den, LA, and Philly. No one on any of those teams had done what Harden has done. The difference is Harden. He is actually making player around him better: Beverely, Ariza, Gordon, Capella. Who is Westbrook making a better player???!

Harden has a 62% true shooting percentage and Westbrook has a 55% true shooting percentage. I fail to see how that doesn't make him more efficient. Both have had great years. I think both guys are deserving. I just think Harden has been more valuable. He's also at 14.4 win shares to Westbrooks 12. You are also making claims with no evidence to back them up. I don't think the Thunder would miss the playoffs with Harden is a valid argument without evidence to back it up.

Put James Harden on OKC, let me see if they even make the playoffs. Hardens stats are so inflated right now because of the system that D'Antoni runs it's not even funny. Dude isn't more efficient than Westbrook, he just has a better team and more favorable system. To me what Westbrook has done with that offensively inept team is way better than what Harden has done. He's about to break Oscar's triple double record and you're sitting here telling me who's got a better record overall. It's about Most Valuable Player, not best record. Westbrook has solidified that in my books. Take him off OKC and they're bottom feeders tanking with the Nets.

Team record (8 more wins)=check, H2H record (3-1)=check, all around efficiency=check, last 34 yrs MVP came from 28x#1, 5x#2, 1x#3 on standings in conference=RW team will not be even in top 4= check. Yeah, RW locked the trophy, maybe in some dreams but reality is something different.

I would vote for Harden personally. I can't ignore the difference in efficiency

I'm sorry but I complete disagree that Westbrook has sealed anything. Just my opinion though, I don't think anything is a lock yet.

I think the more likely scenario is that he misses a few games because of Westbrooks recent games. Dude has all but sealed MVP this year in my opinion. He's also very likely to beat Oscar's triple double record. A feat that is almost as impressive as the Warriors winning record last year. With that said, I still think he continues to play through it until someone forces him to sit, because the dude loves to ball.

Is it right to think Harden will definitely want to try and play all 82 now especially after Westy's game last night?

HOU would be probably be more happy to skip a few gms here and there rest of the way but have no doubt they will let him to decide having MVP in a bag now after last night game and 3-1 in H2H with RW and needing to go above .500 in last 9 gms to lock up the trophy. He didnt play 73 gms untill now in MVP type of season not to play if he can play.

I'm definitely glad to hear this. You know he wants that MVP award this year, but I do still worry that the team will convince him to sit down at some point for a game or two.

http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-James-Harden-expects-to-play-vs-11029150.php

He intends to play all 82gms, has sayed that multiple times during the season. Maybe doesnt happen but if he can play he will play banged up or not.

"Harden said wrist will be fine. Asked if he will rest, he just grinned wide. (No.)"

I would guess hes more likely to get rested than not. He's playing with a bum wrist and the Rockets are locked into the 3 seed. These games are meaningless to them

D Antoni alluded to resting him after the game today. If Lou Williams is available in roto leagues I think it's worth picking him up

OK need help in 9 cat h2h Up for harden OR down for AD and D Russel

He's shooting 86%. One of the best in the league

Keep missing FT SMH

9-CAT/ 12-TEAM. Punting fg%. Was offered P.George/Griffin/Bledsoe for my Aldridge/Harden

What's your format and team build? If H2H, are you punting categories?

What is a fair trade for the potential MVP?

Was offered Harden, Porzingis, and Mason Plumlee for my Kawhi, Whiteside, and Wiggins? Should I do this deal ? (Up = yes) (down = no)

He's going to have a harden time making more puns

At this rate you're going to run out of James Harden puns, Josh!

3 of the last 5, but yeah, he's been on a serious role

3 out of the last 4 daily article headings are James Harden

Apologize for Spamming this up fellows, but appreciate the feedback here. I was offered his Harden for my DeRozan/Whiteside. 10 CAT(DD last cat) UP for Harden, DOWN for DeRozan/Whiteside.

"no brainer for Harden here" is correct

Trade Harden/Gobert/Plumplee/Danny Green for DC/McCollum/Dieng? need FT! Yes or no?

From what I understand, even Wilt never went 50/15/15. Harden also scored or assisted on 95 points last night, which is the most since Wilt's 100-point game.

Harden had the highest z-score in 8-cat but Giannis did in 9-cat.

Fair enough. But, that doesn't change the fact that his z-score was higher than Harden's.

I don't think Giannis' 7 blks is enough to compete with what Harden did. What Harden did tonight is unprecedented, hasn't been done since Wilt.

Fwiw not even the highest z score of the night. That honor belongs to Giannis

Just silly

A month ago the conversation was trying to convince people that Davis was a first round pick and now the conversation is convincing people that he's the best asset in all of fantasy

Especially with Jrue back to help him.

I think the pels will be competing for a playoff spot this year. They really aren't bad with full roster. Davis is very very good

I'm still scared about AD injuries and the Pels sucking, forcing a shutdown. If health isn't an issue, it'd be AD for sure.

Interesting. This same question swung the other way just 3 days ago. I agree with what you're saying about Davis, but is giving away Harden's sturdiness for AD worth it? Trying to figure out this trade option...

Don't need to punt any categories with Davis and even with puny turnovers on he's ranked pretty well above Harden and Westbrook

In 9 cat I don't think there's anybody I take over Davis at this point

Gut reaction: UP for Harden, DOWN for AD in 9cat, h2h

Thinking about trading Harden for Anthony Davis, what are people's thoughts?

Triple Double!!!

Trade Harden/Tyreke/MKG for PG13/Kemba/Zach LaVine? Yes or no?

depends on how deep the league is and who'd be the avail players for you to grab to add to Harden/Irving

Harden/Irving by a landslide

I prefer the Harden/Irving side WAY more.

hat do you think of this trade, My John Wall, Jrue Holiday, and Dragic for Harden and Irving. Thoughts?

hat do you think of this trade, My John Wall, Jrue Holiday, and Dragic for Harden and Irving. Thoughts?

Offer all you want - unlikely he will accept that I'd say?

Thinking about offering my Mike Conley and John Wall for James Harden? Thoughts?

i get his previous years and hope those numbers return (i do own him)...but hes also playing PG position now and his steals are also down...his defensive since last season has declined and also has a coach that isnt going to change that. we will see

He has 0.5 blocks in 3 of the last 4 seasons and 0.4 in the one he didn't. I'll trust that sample size over just 9 games.

agreed...assists should probably be around 12...but i dont see him getting .5 blocks either...hasnt blocked one in 9 games

Weird to say, but are his assist proj a little low?

Will double assists come with double turnovers? What is the NBA per game record for a season?

Side note to last nights game. I think the Dwight Howard version of the Rockets could have had way more success with D Antoni coaching them. Those pick and roll tosses that were going to Capela last night would have been deadly with Howard moving towards the hoop

12+ assists per game from Harden this season honestly wouldn't surprise me after watching their style of play last night

Benniepie, if you have Harden, you're already off to a great start with assists. He's gonna easily have 10+ per game this season with the ball in his hands so much and so many good 3 point shooters around him (along with Capela!) and the pace they play at. Depending on how deep your league is, you might be able to acquire a PG like Rodriguez to solidify yourself in that cat.

D Antonio said he wants harden to DOUBLE his asssist total from last year. Strap in

I'm in a H2H league with 9 cats plus DD. I don't have much guys for assist so I think punting that cat will be smart. I have someone offering me K-town/Butler for Harden/Capela. What do you think?

That's what I was trying to get at. To me, having a PG stats type player in the SG slot is way more valuable, so I'm not sure how having Harden as PG makes him more attractive

@joshlloyd48 I was leaning towards Westbrook before Harden's PG eligibility. I was speaking from a "team building" perspective. It's easier to build a team with Westbrook than it is with Harden due to PG eligibility. Now that Harden's PG, I was wondering if people would further their preference towards him.

Not really, his role is the same it's always been. He's been the point guard for years

Any scenario in which you envision this emphasis on being the "point guard" could lead to less scoring?

He's been my number one as well, and nothing changes with what D'Antoni said. He's been the point guard for a few years. I'm curious nacho, why PG eligibility would swing you to Westbrook?

It's always been harden for me at number one this year. Although this doesn't change his projection at all, he's been their primary ball handler for a long time. It's not as if he was playing off ball before. As far as I'm concerned he's always been the rockets "point guard"

OK, now I have to ask (again...). Westbrook or Harden as #1 pick? I was leaning towards Westbrook due to PG eligibility. Now this changes everything.

More important question.. possibility of double digit dimes?

PG/SG/SF Eligible? http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2665981-james-harden-will-play-as-rockets-full-time-point-guard?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national