Welcome to the Morning Shootaround, where every weekday you’ll get a fresh, topical column from one of SI.com’s NBA writers: Howard Beck on Mondays, Chris Mannix on Tuesdays, Michael Pina on Wednesdays, Chris Herring on Thursdays and Rohan Nadkarni on Fridays.
Last week, when asked if he belonged in the MVP conversation, James Harden took his answer a step further. “I feel like I am the MVP,” said Harden. “It’s just that simple.”
Harden has a compelling case. The Nets guard is averaging 26 points per game this season.