The Rockets are on an eight-game win streak and James Harden is averaging close to 40 points per game. He will once again inhabit the MVP debate. Houston isn’t a perfect team, but Harden’s special offensive talent, combined with the added dimension of Russell Westbrook and Clint Capela‘s return to relevance, earns the Rockets high praise.
Milwaukee, despite Brogdon’s departure, has maintained both an elite defense and a dynamic offense in Mike Budenholzer’s inside-out mold. Giannis Antetokounmpo, even amidst another Harden explosion, is the clear MVP favorite early on.
Coming into the season, the Lakers’ roster felt underwhelming and haphazard. The front office waited on Kawhi — and for good reason, of course — but it left L.A. with cold leftovers the day after Thanksgiving. Sometimes, leftovers are better.
Danny Green has fit hand-in-glove, to little surprise. Dwight Howard has emerged as an impactful defender, rekindling the magic of his early years and becoming a dynamic and important bench piece. Unexpected, to say the least. L.A. is cruising, and LeBron is as much in the MVP debate as Giannis and Harden. The Lakers are No. 1.