Westbrook just won the MVP
James Harden is also deserving, but I just don't see any way Russ doesn't win it now.
Harden has a higher total points created (individual points scored per game + points created per game from assists), WS, WS/48, TS%, Net RTG, and does it with a substantially lower usage rate. His team also is higher in the standings. There's plenty of reason to choose Harden.
I just think overall, Harden has a better team around him though. Better guys who fit the system, and good shooters (also with the addition of Lou Williams).
Not at all to take away from Harden, but without Westbrook, OKC would legitimately be a bottom-5 team in the league IMO. He's the only reason they are in the playoffs, and would probably have less than 30 wins without him.
And yet the second best player, and probably the 3rd best player, play for OKC. Victor Oladipo is better than anyone on Houston not named James Harden, and Enes Kanter is arguably the 6th man of the year.
I don't buy the argument OKC is any worse than Houston, in terms of talent outside the two MVP candidates. Better fitting, probably, but not less talented. To me, Harden has done more to make his teammates better.
The idea that Harden has a much better team around him is BS.
Before the NBA season started Vegas put the over-under win totals as:
OKC - 45.5 wins
Houston - 41.5 wins
If both teams go 1 and 1 in their last 2 games, then OKC will have exceeded their expectations by 1.5 wins and Houston by
13.5 wins. In addition, only Houston has a chance at the championship. Nobody should win the MVP if their team isn't in championship contention, so to me Westbrook falls behind Harden and Kawaii.