James Harden is trying to take his runner-up MVP finish in stride. On Monday morning the NBA announced that Stephen Curry had been named the league's Most Valuable Player, and he beat out Harden by 75 first-place votes. During a Rockets practice Monday afternoon, Harden was asked about the voting.
James Harden has ‘better things to worry about’ than losing MVP race
The Rockets guard is trying to move forward, but finishing second to Stephen Curry surely stings.
"I've had a chip on my shoulder all year," he said, via ESPN's Arash Markazi. "That's how I approach every game. It's no different now."
Harden finished the season second in the league in scoring (27.4) and first in free throws made (715), free throws attempted (824) and minutes played (2,981). He also averaged seven assists and six rebounds per game and shot 38 percent from behind the three-point line. His Player Efficiency Rating of 26.8 was fifth in the NBA and he led the Rockets to 56 wins and a No. 2 seed in the West.
Harden, though, eventually let up that he indeed was disappointed that he had not earned the award.
“Obviously, an individual award, the MVP, is amazing,” Harden added. “But like I said, we got an amazing opportunity in this locker room and I’m not going to let one individual award affect what we got going on in this locker room. We still have a great season to play in and some great games ahead of us.”
The Rockets will host the Clippers on Monday night in Game 1 of their second-round series.
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