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Toronto Raptors: Where does Kawhi Leonard rank in the M.V.P race?

By Thomas Valentine

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem on December 14, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem on December 14, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – OG Anunoby (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

1. James Harden

49 Games Played/36.2 PPG/6.6 RPG/8.1 APG/62.1 TS%

The run we’ve seen in the past month and a half has been historic, and that’s not doing James Harden any justice at all. It could well go down as the best scoring stretch of all-time, it definitely trumps Kobe Bryant’s scoring streak of nine consecutive 40-point games in 2003.

In the 17-game stretch without Chris Paul, Harden accounted for 742 of the Rockets 2,009 points scored, 36-percent of the total points during that time. That isn’t even taking into account the field-goals he assisted.

Harden single-handedly dragged the Rockets from a near .500 team to the fifth seed in the playoffs with a 28-20 record before Chris Paul returned against the Orlando Magic on January 27, averaging 43.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and eight assists along the way. What stands out most is how well Harden shot the ball during that time, a 63-percent true shooting percentage the by-product of Harden’s ability to shoot threes and get to the line at an unbelievable rate.

Harden is taking just under 12 trips to the free-throw line a game, and while he’s been consistently criticized for his ability to draw fouls, he really should be commended for it. Harden isn’t conning the refs or flopping, he’s a product of the environment he has been placed in, rather, he is making the most of the environment he has been placed in. If the referees call fouls for minimal contact, why wouldn’t Harden make the most of it and take the most efficient shot possible? An unhindered, uncontested free throw. If it’s so easy, why is James Harden the only player in the NBA to be attempting more than 10 free throws a game?

Harden is a master of his craft, an offensive genius unconcerned by the opinions of mere mortals like ourselves. Harden is going to win the M.V.P, barring a catastrophic collapse, the likes of which we have never seen. The narrative is there, the potential for a winning team is there and the individual accomplishments are most certainly there.

Next. Who could be traded before the deadline?. dark

Chris Paul has returned to the team, and Clint Capela will hopefully be back post-All Star break, but Harden’s numbers won’t drop significantly. This is the new James Harden, the James Harden who looks like he could drop 80 points on any given night, and this is his world.

We’re all just living in it.

Probability of winning: Please, it’s Harden’s to lose.

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