This Week: James Harden (1/17/19)
To say that James Harden has done good, incredible, or magnificent is a bit of an understatement. Somehow, after his MVP last season last year, Harden has managed to do even better, opening the window of winning back-to-back MVP awards due to his performance and LeBron's injury sideline. After starting the season 11-14, many, including myself, saw this as the downfall of the Houston experiment with Harden and fellow superstar, Chris Paul, who's already missed 18 games. The Rockets would keep on being blown out, and the title "scapegoat" would be given to their long-time superstar. James Harden had miserable performances and his image took a hit when everybody (including myself) claimed that James Harden is a flopper and that the number of free throws he gets a game is the only reason he gets to fill up the scoring column is true. Part of this is true, James Harden is a flopper by the way he bumps into opponents, falls back, and throws up a crazy shot in order to get the foul call. At one point, he got to shoot 27 free throws in a single game, near the average an entire team gets. Harden took a lot of heat for this, rightfully so, but he shut the door to his critics and continued to do what he does best, dominate. Harden has always been an isolation and individual player, despite of the numerous triple-doubles and double-digit assists game he's had. With fellow teammates Chris Paul and Clint Capela out, the perfect spotlight was given to James Harden. During his last stretch of 17 games, Harden has scored 30 or more points, which is an NBA record. He's had eight 40-point games and 3 50-point games during that stretch. As all NBA fans are aware, Harden dropped 57 points against the Memphis Grizzlies, only to beat that mark two days later by dropping 58 on the Brooklyn Nets. 115 combined points for two games is third-all time on two games all time and becoming only the second player to record back-to-back 55 point games. Those insanely legendary games are the reason why Harden has averaged 41 points on his last 20 games, and is averaging 35 points for the season. Not only that, but the Rockets have managed to grab the 5th seed in the loaded Western Conference. After many closed their championship window, James Harden and the Rockets have managed to stay in contention, but I wonder if they'll be successful once isolation superstar James Harden gets his teammates back, which could slow down Harden's dominance. Nevertheless, and I hate to say this, there's no doubt that he's earned the right to be in the MVP conversation.
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This Week: NBA ALL STAR GAME
Finally! After weeks of anticipation, the All Star Starters have been selected. The announcement was made on Thursday, January 24 during the Pre-Game Show on TNT. For the Western Conference, the capitan (player with the most votes) will be LeBron James, who will be accompanied by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant from the Golden State Warriors, the front runner for MVP and leading scorer James Harden, and Paul George, who's having his best offensive and defensive year since his gruesome injury suffered on Team USA practice. Although this five won't play together due to the new All Star Game format consisting of drafting players, but I bet we'll see many of these stars play together, which should be a joy to watch. In the Eastern Conference, Giannis Antetokounmpo will serve as the capitan, who has led his Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the conference. Alongside Giannis are Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics, who's had an up and down season and Kawhi Leonard, who's easily taken the leadership role on his new team after the infamous San Antonio situation. Also for the East, the best center in the league in Joel Embiid gives the All Star Game a bit of trash talking ability and Kemba Walker, who's had his best career season and will serve as the hometown hero for Charlotte, where the game will be played. Originally starters due to the fan vote, Derrick Rose, Luka Doncic, and Dwayne Wade fell of the starting lineup after the media votes. Rose has had his best season coming off the bench after his MVP days, Luka Doncic has been arguably the best rookie in NBA history, and Dwayne Wade has had a slow season, but this being his last season was almost enough to get him voted one last time. Either way, the NBA All Star Game has the potential of being one of the best ever, and we can only wait to see if that statement will be true.
THIS WEEK: BEST CASES FOR MVP CANDIDATES (2/14/19)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
"The Greek Freak" has been associated with the MVP award since a couple of years ago, when he truly flourished and became one of the top superstars in the league. You could claim that he was robbed last year by James Harden, who seemed to got rewarded last season after being robbed the previous year. However this year has clearly been his best, as he has averaged around 27 Points, 6 Assists, 10 Rebounds, 1 Block, and 1 Assist. Not only that, but the MVP award has gone to players who have their team in the top two seeds of their conference, with a few exceptions here and there. With Giannis leading his team with the best record in the entire league and being selected as captain for the Eastern Conference in the All Star Game, Giannis has the best opportunity out anyone in this list, especially with the newly acquired players on the roster.
James Harden (Houston Rockets)
I always felt like the only reason James Harden won the MVP award last year was because he was robbed the year earlier by Russell Westbrook's triple double season. This season has somehow being able to surpass expectations. During his historic season, Harden has managed to drop 50 point games three separate times, including scoring 115 points in back-to-back games. Even more impressive, Harden broke the record for most 30 points in 17 games in a row, but he's now shattered that record by doing it for 31 straight games and counting. Harden is averaging an insane 36.6 Points, which is a league high. This insane scoring streak is what truly saved the Houston Rocket's season, after they begun 11-14 with countless injuries and defensive struggles. The only things keeping Harden away from winning the MVP is that there might be "voter fatigue" meaning that MVP voters might want to pass the torch to a new player, no the one who won it last year. Also, the fact that the Rockets are only the 5th seed doesn't help, but Harden has still managed to have the best statistical season than any other player today.
Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder)
In the beginning of the season, Paul George was a stretch when it came to being an All-Star, yet alone the MVP award. George has had his best statistical season in his career, which comes after his gruesome injury with Team USA. George has somehow managed to lead his team in scoring when ball-hogging Russell Westbrook in his team. With Westbrook struggling throughout the season, the opportunity opened for George, which has lead to George averaging nearly 29 points and 2 steals, while getting a couple of 30 and 40 point games. With all this being said, George has clearly revolutionized his image and has proven that he's still capable of being a franchise player. His success has led to the Thunder being 3rd seed in the loaded Western Conference. It'll be difficult for voters to pick him over Giannis and Harden, but there's always a chance; but he's had the Comeback of the Year without a doubt.
Stephen Curry/ Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
They might not have the best record, but they're still the best team in the NBA. They'll end up winning the championship due to the super team they've assembled, so either one of their stars could technically win the MVP award.
"The Greek Freak" has been associated with the MVP award since a couple of years ago, when he truly flourished and became one of the top superstars in the league. You could claim that he was robbed last year by James Harden, who seemed to got rewarded last season after being robbed the previous year. However this year has clearly been his best, as he has averaged around 27 Points, 6 Assists, 10 Rebounds, 1 Block, and 1 Assist. Not only that, but the MVP award has gone to players who have their team in the top two seeds of their conference, with a few exceptions here and there. With Giannis leading his team with the best record in the entire league and being selected as captain for the Eastern Conference in the All Star Game, Giannis has the best opportunity out anyone in this list, especially with the newly acquired players on the roster.
James Harden (Houston Rockets)
I always felt like the only reason James Harden won the MVP award last year was because he was robbed the year earlier by Russell Westbrook's triple double season. This season has somehow being able to surpass expectations. During his historic season, Harden has managed to drop 50 point games three separate times, including scoring 115 points in back-to-back games. Even more impressive, Harden broke the record for most 30 points in 17 games in a row, but he's now shattered that record by doing it for 31 straight games and counting. Harden is averaging an insane 36.6 Points, which is a league high. This insane scoring streak is what truly saved the Houston Rocket's season, after they begun 11-14 with countless injuries and defensive struggles. The only things keeping Harden away from winning the MVP is that there might be "voter fatigue" meaning that MVP voters might want to pass the torch to a new player, no the one who won it last year. Also, the fact that the Rockets are only the 5th seed doesn't help, but Harden has still managed to have the best statistical season than any other player today.
Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder)
In the beginning of the season, Paul George was a stretch when it came to being an All-Star, yet alone the MVP award. George has had his best statistical season in his career, which comes after his gruesome injury with Team USA. George has somehow managed to lead his team in scoring when ball-hogging Russell Westbrook in his team. With Westbrook struggling throughout the season, the opportunity opened for George, which has lead to George averaging nearly 29 points and 2 steals, while getting a couple of 30 and 40 point games. With all this being said, George has clearly revolutionized his image and has proven that he's still capable of being a franchise player. His success has led to the Thunder being 3rd seed in the loaded Western Conference. It'll be difficult for voters to pick him over Giannis and Harden, but there's always a chance; but he's had the Comeback of the Year without a doubt.
Stephen Curry/ Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
They might not have the best record, but they're still the best team in the NBA. They'll end up winning the championship due to the super team they've assembled, so either one of their stars could technically win the MVP award.
NCAA TOP PERFORMANCES (3/22/2019)
There's absolutely no reason what so ever to talk about the NBA due to March Madness, so we're shifting over to NCAA Basketball for the next couple of weeks, discussing the top star of each week. Ja Morant from Murray State(12) was the biggest star of the first week (pretty much one day) of March Madness. Ja Morant led 12-seeded Murray State passed 5-seeded Marquette, scoring a triple double (17,16, and 11), leading to a 19 point beat down, upset win. With this season being mainly focused on the big players from the biggest programs, having a player with the talent of Morant in a small market is exactly what he needs and what the NCAA needs. With no dream team around him, Morant has all the freedom in the world to show his full repertoire and lead his team with glory, and for the NCAA, it means more lower programs to succeed and shock major programs, meaning Cinderella stories, money, and less fun, bracket busters. Don't be surprised if Murray State absolutely busts up your bracket and makes a surprising run into the Sweet 16, or even further (hopefully not for the sake of my bracket). Also, it wouldn't be surprising if the NCAA Assist Leader drastically gets in the radar of NBA Scouts, as it seems that the Point Guard can be a true force to be reckoned with.
NCAA TOP PERFORMER (3/29/2019)
The heavy-favorites Duke Blue Devils were way to close to being on the losing side of an upset by the hand of UCF. With the clutch offensive rebounds and with the help of some refs, Duke somehow held on, but their dreams were almost crushed by this monster. Yes, I say monster because Tacko Fall, has an insane stature of 7 FEET AND 6 INCHES! This would make Fall the tallest NBA player today and tied for first when it comes to All-Time Rankings. Not only would he prove to be Duke's kryptonite, but it almost paid off. With his insane stature, he was able to finish off with 15 Points, 6 Rebounds, and 3 Blocks, but he did it in a limited amount of time due to foul trouble. This makes it even a harder pill for UCF to swallow because if they had their monument for their whole game, they could have very easily won the game. Fall's absence led to Duke heating up, Zion Williamson in particular, who finished with 32 Points. Zion made a clutch shot and-one layup over Fall to shorten the lead to just 1 with a couple seconds left. Williamson would miss the free-throw, but top prospect R.J. Barrett would grab the offensive rebound and put it back in. This controversial call, where Barrett fouled Johnny Dawkins to get the rebound was the controversial call that put an end to UCF. To make it even worst, UCF's last two shots to take the lead barely rolled off the rim at the last possible second. Nonetheless, us basketball fans got blessed by witnessing perhaps the most dramatic game of the tournament, and Duke haters got their hopes and pressure to the highest with the possibility of the over-talked Duke Blue Devils being bounced out, but for most of the world's brackets sake, it didn't happen, thankfully.