Sixers MVP ladder: Can Joel Embiid overcome injury?

NBA MVP candidate #2: James Harden

The Nets are on the verge of claiming the No. 1 seed in the East, in large part due to the ongoing brilliance of James Harden. My opinion of Harden has been well documented — he is one of the greatest offensive players ever to touch a basketball. He manipulates defenses, both as a scorer and as a passer, better than anyone.

In 40 games this season, Harden is averaging 26.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists on .463/.362/.867 shooting splits. The Nets have undergone an extended absence from Kevin Durant without missing a beat. Harden is at the core of the NBA’s most potent offense — an elite set-up man who orchestrates the moving parts and, occasionally, fulfills his status as the top isolation scorer in the game.

Brooklyn can out-gun just about anyone, and people will quickly point to the talent on the roster when campaigning against Harden. The Nets, however, have been without Durant for the bulk of Harden’s stay, and Irving’s multiple personal absences have not gone unnoticed. Concerns about the Nets’ depth have been present all season, and should not be suddenly forgotten when analyzing Harden’s case. He is the best player on arguably the best team.

Harden has effectively ended any narrative of “selfishness” on the court. He has been more than happy to spread the wealth as the Nets’ undisputed point guard. He is leading the NBA in assists, and is the centripetal force upon which the league’s most potent offense revolves.