QUESTION
OF THE
WEEK #1

Avi Gupta (Portland, OR): 

"Honestly it's hard to argue with his candidacy. Curry and Durant individually have had lower stats this year because they're sharing the ball, and Westbrook plays on a worse team."

Vikram Nallakrishnan (Portland, OR):

"In addition to the obvious jaw dropping statistics, he has also managed rejuvenate the career of a seemingly lost Eric Gordon, making him a potential 6th Man of the Year award winner. I'd argue, however, that he's met a perfect match in Mike D'Antoni. The rampant pace of play, a trademark of D'Antoni's system, is conducive to the style of Harden. Yes, Harden isn't a great defender, but who cares when your winning games. So, as of now, barring Westbrook Westbrook-ing to an even greater degree, Harden is the MVP this season."

Luke “Sports Oracle” Van Buskirk (Portland, OR):

“Yes James harden deserves the award over the people who have a chance (Westbrook) because he’s on a better team. Also defense in today's league not critical. Furthermore, Harden’s defense has improved, but Kawhi really deserves this award, best defender in the league, great shooter close to 50-40-90 numbers, and has better team. Harden deserves the award over Westbrook because he is making the players around him better, and is doing more with similar quality teammates, but Kawhi Leonard should win the award.”

Nate Post (Portland, OR):

 “James harden does not deserve the MVP award. To win the award you need to be leading your team. You can argue that in some ways he is, but he has too much talent around him every night to win the award. Russell Westbrook deserves the award over Harden for that very reason, his team was supposed to be terrible this year, but he is making them a contender almost by himself.”

Ethan Grossman (Oakland, CA):

 “I do not think James Harden deserves MVP. Russell Westbrook is going to average a triple double on a far less talented team. I personally believe the Rockets could be a playoff team without Harden, the Thunder on the other hand would be one of the worst teams in the west if it were not for Westbrooks heroics this season.”

Dylan McKim (Houston, TX):

 “James Harden has had a great season putting up great numbers and breaking some Rockets' records. But to me, an MVP is someone who is a all-around great player in every aspect of the game. James harden might be one of the greatest scorers in the game, but his defense is nonexistent. I don't know if it's laziness or he just doesn't care, but it's something he needs to try harder on. Just think if he could play some defense along with the rest of the team they would be unstoppable. If I had to vote for an MVP, I would vote for Kawhi Leonard. He is the best perimeter defenders and he is starting to really become a force on the offensive side. It showed last night where he beat the Beard with 39 points (1 more than Harden's 38) and had a huge block at the end of the game to beat the rockets in a close matchup. Kawhi also plays unselfishly and is team player, he is a person that I think all NBA players should strive to be.”

Mason Kern (San Diego, CA):

“I feel as if Harden's abilities and efforts this season definitely put him in the running for MVP. Averaging 28 points and 12 assists would be great in any other league, but with so much talent from other teams surrounding him, I think he is still getting outplayed. Westbrook's ability to take his otherwise lackluster team into the playoffs, Isaiah Thomas and his fourth quarter heroics to help Boston this season, and obvious candidates LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard all have a feasible chance to win the honor this year. As much as I disrespect Harden's style of play, I do respect and acknowledge his talent.”

Sevrin Lavenstein (Cranston, RI):

“James Harden is the MVP. In a season that has seen a drop in play at times from Lebron and Steph, The Beard has remained on a steady incline, emerging as the best scorer in the NBA. (Honorable mentions = Kawhi Leonard, Isaiah Thomas).”