Brooklyn Nets Star James Harden Deserves Consideration For MVP

Brooklyn Nets point guard James Harden deserves to be in the MVP conversation. 

This isn’t to diminish the candidacy of others like LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Damian Lillard. Any of those stars would be worthy winners. 

It’s simply to point out that Harden is playing at an MVP level and having a significant impact on his team’s win column. 

The 31-year-old made his latest statement on Sunday night, scoring 37 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out seven assists in the Nets’ 112-108 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The victory completed a historic 5-0 West Coast roadtrip for Brooklyn (20-12), which is now 12-1 against .500 or better teams. Over that stretch, Harden averaged 29.2 points, 11.8 assists and 8.8 rebounds in 37 minutes while shooting 54.9 percent from the field, 51.1 percent from 3-point range and 82.1 percent from the free-throw stripe. 

Before Harden’s arrival, Kevin Durant was the Net generating MVP talk. And Durant is undoubtedly the best player on the team. But he’s been out lately — due to a combination of health and safety protocols and a hamstring injury — and The Beard has stepped up in his good friend’s absence. 

No need to rush back, KD. James Harden — facilitator extraordinaire — has everything under control. 

Harden’s final test on the left coast came in the form of ex-teammate and professional pest Patrick Beverley. It didn’t take long for the two to get tangled up. After Kyrie Irving stole the ball and passed to Harden with 8:56 left in the first quarter, Beverley came over and delivered a hard foul. Harden took expectation and pushed Beverley, with the two having to be separated. 

Beverley’s antics didn’t have their deserved effect, as Harden scored 11 straight points in the opening period. But Beverley wasn’t done, delivering another hard foul on Harden in the third.

Beverley crossed the line in the fourth, putting a Marty McSorley check into Jeff Green’s shoulder as Green went to the hardwood in serious pain. It was only called a foul, and Green destroyed a water cooler as he headed to the locker room in frustration. Meanwhile, video showed Beverley mocking his victim. A fine or suspension would be appropriate. Green was diagnosed with a contusion, but the Nets told reporters that the veteran big man would undergo further evaluation on Monday. 

Patrick Beverley is officially persona non-grata in Brooklyn, though he’s always relished the villain role. The Nets won’t be able to exact revenge unless the two teams meet again in the NBA finals. There would certainly be no shortage of storylines or animosity as far as that is concerned. 

In any event, Brooklyn blew a 15-point lead in the fourth before managing to emerge victorious. Kawhi Leonard — another MVP contender — blew past Harden with the Clippers down 110-108. But before Leonard could attempt the potential game-tying layup, he was called for an offensive foul — though Harden could’ve been easily whistled for a flop. With that — and two Harden free throws — its perfect roadtrip was complete.

This certainly wasn’t the same team that Kyrie Irving (28 points, eight assists) had very honestly referred to as “average” following a Feb. 9 loss to the Detroit Pistons. That night, DeAndre Jordan had been involved in animated discussions with Steve Nash and Harden about his defensive lapses. But on Sunday night, there was Jordan (11 points, 10 rebounds, season-high tying four blocks) — forced into action with Green out — dominating on D down the stretch. 

“We’re playing hard and playing smart,” Harden, who had his best performance with the Nets shorthanded in Phoenix, told reporters. 

“We need structure,” Irving added. “The best teams have coaches that coach the (expletive) out of them, and players that execute.” 

Of course, everything isn’t great. Brooklyn’s rotation is pretty banged up. Tyler Johnson (abductor) didn’t play on Sunday night, while Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (hip) had to exit early and didn’t return. As a result, Nash shortened his rotation to seven guys, which isn’t exactly sustainable. The Nets will be back in action on Tuesday at home against Sacramento. 

They’ve still got issues. And there’s still plenty of season left. But they made a heck of a statement with their play out West — as James Harden entered the MVP conversation with a bang.