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Midseason NBA MVP Top Five: Who will seperate from this field of flawed candidates?

By Jason Timpf

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 30: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks off the court after their 104-101 loss to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 30, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 30: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks off the court after their 104-101 loss to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 30, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center on January 10, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – JANUARY 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center on January 10, 2018 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

2: James Harden

Why he should be the MVP:

Harden is having one of the most ridiculous offensive seasons in recent memory. That is saying something, you know, with Russ and Steph having just had the seasons they had in 2016 and 2017.

He is averaging 32 points and 9 assists, which seems less impressive than Russ last year until you notice the efficiency. Russ averaged 32 and 10 but with just a 55% true shooting percentage. James Harden’s is 63%.

Above all, his team seems to be the only legitimate threat to Golden State at this point in the season. The Rockets have the second-best offense in the league, and (until recently) defend at a high level as well.

Harden’s MVP case has the most positive elements of anyone on this list. He’s the bona fide best player, his team has the third-best record in the league, his numbers are other-worldly and his team has played without its second-best player (Chris Paul) for 17 games.

Why he shouldn’t be the MVP:

Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets /

Houston Rockets

As I said before, Harden has more positive elements to his case than anyone on this list. Unfortunately, he also has the most negative elements. And that is why he’s number two.

Harden, unfortunately, is the third member of this list to miss significant time with injury. To make matters worse, his team had lost five consecutive games just before he went down. It doesn’t look good for your team to go 1-5, for you to get hurt, have a 32-year-old take your spot and then promptly go on a 3-2 stretch without you.

On top of that, James continues to be a below-average defender (59th among point guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus), and a massive beneficiary of some questionable officiating (league leader in free throw attempts).

But perhaps the thing hurting Harden’s case the most is that precedent I mentioned earlier: We remember the postseason. Game 6 against San Antonio left a taste in our mouths as basketball fans that we may never be able to get rid of.

No matter how well James Harden plays this year, we will remember that he also played well in last year’s regular season, and it didn’t translate to the playoffs. It’s entirely possible that Chris Paul will emotionally lead this team comes playoff time. This badly damages James Harden’s case.