Although the NBA’s regular season still isn’t over, Toronto Raptors star guard DeMar DeRozan already has his MVP favorite. According to DeRozan, Houston Rockets’ James Harden should get the honors and is “lock” to win the NBA Most Valuable Player award.
“He earned it,” – said DeRozan after Friday’s shootaround before Raptors vs. Rockets game. “The things that he’s been doing all year are incredible. I think he’s a lock for it. He deserves it.“
Besides DeMar DeRozan, numerous other NBA players and basketball analysts think Harden should finally get the award. He was in the running for MVP in the previous two seasons but failed short to Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook. This year, however, it doesn’t look it will be even close. James Harden is averaging a career-high 30.9 points per game leading the league, adding 8.9 assists (third in NBA). Also, his Rockets have the league’s best record with 51-13 and are currently on a 17-game winning streak heading into the game against the Raptors.
Hearing about DeRozan’s comments, Harden didn’t comment his MVP case but went on to praise his success with the Raptors.
“That’s like my brother,” – said Harden. “He’s playing at an all-time level, too. He’s out there killing. He has his team in the No. 1 seed in the East. He’s doing extremely great things, as well. Just to hear it from him, especially with the level he’s playing at now, means a lot to me.“
DeMar DeRozan is currently averaging 24.0 points and 5.2 assists per game, leading his Toronto Raptors to 47-17 record and the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
