With all the changes taking place inside the Houston Rockets’ organization, it was only a matter of time before their superstar James Harden will enter the realm of trade rumors. And the time is now.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Harden has emerged as a target for the Philadelphia 76ers. Reportedly, Philly is determined to make a move for the 2018’s NBA MVP, although the Rockets are currently not interested.

If there is truth in these reports, then the interest is probably fueled by Daryl Morey, longtime Rockets’ general manager who recently became the 76ers’ new president of basketball operations. Morey was the one who brought Houston in 2012, and the two are believed to have a strong friendship.

As Charania points out, moving Harden isn’t an option that the Rockets consider at this point. The organization believes they have a title despite recent front office and head coaching changes and are looking into ways how to improve their roster rather than blow it up.

Any hypothetical trade for James Harden would have the potential to be the biggest in NBA history, considering what’s at stake. Harden has four straight All-NBA First team selections, has led the NBA in scoring in three out of the last four years, and has four top-three finishes in MVP voting alongside one award.

Still, don’t expect Morey to stop trying. He has a reputation of a risk-taker and isn’t strange to trying out long-shot moves even if they seem virtually impossible.

The post Philly Wants James Harden but Rockets Not Interested in a Trade appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Houston Rockets All-Star guard James Harden is continuing one of the most impressive offensive stretches NBA history has ever seen. Harden, who is the reigning MVP, scored 37 points in Monday’s 121-93 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and brought his streak of games in which he had 30 points or more to 20. The interesting thing is that the 29-year-old scored all of his points against the 76ers in the first three quarters, before sitting out the fourth one.

The last time James Harden was under 30 was on December 11th against the Portland Trail Blazers, but even then he came close, managing to get 29 points.

The only player besides Harden who has managed to get 30 or more in 20 games is Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain.

“Wilt was doing some obviously unbelievable things and numbers that nobody will ever catch,” – said Harden after the game. “Just to be in the same conversation as those guys is just credit to the work I put in. That’s what you play this game for, to be listed with those guys, those top players. Obviously, I got a long way to go, but this is a pretty cool beginning.”

Rockets’ coach Mike D’Antoni thinks Harden can keep up with this level of play in the coming weeks as well.

“I mean, he’s incredible, he really is,” – said D’Antoni. “I can’t tell you, I’ve run out of words … my vocabulary’s not that extensive. I think if the game would’ve been close, he would’ve had 50 or 60 tonight. And that’s just how he is. He’s incredible … I don’t see any end in sight.”

James Harden is an MVP candidate this season as well, helping Houston Rockets to stay competitive with his offensive magic after the team lost their several key players. Harden is currently averaging 35.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

The post James Harden Scores 30 or More for 20th Consecutive Game appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Houston Rockets’ James Harden, New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, and Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James are the finalists for 2017-18 regular season NBA MVP award, the league has announced on Wednesday.

James Harden, who is the overwhelming favorite to be named NBA MVP, has averaged 30.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game while leading his Rockets to 65 wins and number one seed in the Western Conference. Harden missed out on MVP award last season when he finished second in the voting behind Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook.

This will be the first time for Anthony Davis to be in the MVP finalists after he leads the Pelicans into the playoffs following the injury of DeMarcus Cousins. Davis ended the regular season averaging 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.6 blocks per game.

Finally, LeBron James is looking to get his fifth NBA MVP award, which would make him tied with Michael Jordan. James has played one of the best regular seasons in his career, averaging 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

NBA also announced finalists for other awards, with the winners set to be revealed on June 25. The winners for most of the awards will be voted on by a panel of 100 media members, while the fans will have the opportunity to determine award winners for the best dunk, assist, block and clutch shot of the year.

You can check out the finalists for other awards below.

Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Joel Embiid (76ers), Rudy Gobert (Jazz)
Coach of the Year: Dwane Casey (Toronto Raptors), Quin Snyder (Jazz), Brad Stevens (Celtics)
Most Improved Player: Clint Capela (Rockets), Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn Nets), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers)
Sixth Man of the Year: Eric Gordon (Rockets), Lou Williams (LA Clippers), Fred VanVleet (Raptors)

The post James Harden, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James Finalists for NBA MVP Award appeared first on SportzBonanza.

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.

The post DeMar DeRozan Thinks James Harden is “Lock” to Become MVP appeared first on SportzBonanza.

With all the changes taking place inside the Houston Rockets’ organization, it was only a matter of time before their superstar James Harden will enter the realm of trade rumors. And the time is now.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Harden has emerged as a target for the Philadelphia 76ers. Reportedly, Philly is determined to make a move for the 2018’s NBA MVP, although the Rockets are currently not interested.

If there is truth in these reports, then the interest is probably fueled by Daryl Morey, longtime Rockets’ general manager who recently became the 76ers’ new president of basketball operations. Morey was the one who brought Houston in 2012, and the two are believed to have a strong friendship.

As Charania points out, moving Harden isn’t an option that the Rockets consider at this point. The organization believes they have a title despite recent front office and head coaching changes and are looking into ways how to improve their roster rather than blow it up.

Any hypothetical trade for James Harden would have the potential to be the biggest in NBA history, considering what’s at stake. Harden has four straight All-NBA First team selections, has led the NBA in scoring in three out of the last four years, and has four top-three finishes in MVP voting alongside one award.

Still, don’t expect Morey to stop trying. He has a reputation of a risk-taker and isn’t strange to trying out long-shot moves even if they seem virtually impossible.

The post Philly Wants James Harden but Rockets Not Interested in a Trade appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Houston Rockets All-Star guard James Harden is continuing one of the most impressive offensive stretches NBA history has ever seen. Harden, who is the reigning MVP, scored 37 points in Monday’s 121-93 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and brought his streak of games in which he had 30 points or more to 20. The interesting thing is that the 29-year-old scored all of his points against the 76ers in the first three quarters, before sitting out the fourth one.

The last time James Harden was under 30 was on December 11th against the Portland Trail Blazers, but even then he came close, managing to get 29 points.

The only player besides Harden who has managed to get 30 or more in 20 games is Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain.

“Wilt was doing some obviously unbelievable things and numbers that nobody will ever catch,” – said Harden after the game. “Just to be in the same conversation as those guys is just credit to the work I put in. That’s what you play this game for, to be listed with those guys, those top players. Obviously, I got a long way to go, but this is a pretty cool beginning.”

Rockets’ coach Mike D’Antoni thinks Harden can keep up with this level of play in the coming weeks as well.

“I mean, he’s incredible, he really is,” – said D’Antoni. “I can’t tell you, I’ve run out of words … my vocabulary’s not that extensive. I think if the game would’ve been close, he would’ve had 50 or 60 tonight. And that’s just how he is. He’s incredible … I don’t see any end in sight.”

James Harden is an MVP candidate this season as well, helping Houston Rockets to stay competitive with his offensive magic after the team lost their several key players. Harden is currently averaging 35.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.

The post James Harden Scores 30 or More for 20th Consecutive Game appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Houston Rockets’ James Harden, New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis, and Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James are the finalists for 2017-18 regular season NBA MVP award, the league has announced on Wednesday.

James Harden, who is the overwhelming favorite to be named NBA MVP, has averaged 30.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game while leading his Rockets to 65 wins and number one seed in the Western Conference. Harden missed out on MVP award last season when he finished second in the voting behind Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook.

This will be the first time for Anthony Davis to be in the MVP finalists after he leads the Pelicans into the playoffs following the injury of DeMarcus Cousins. Davis ended the regular season averaging 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.6 blocks per game.

Finally, LeBron James is looking to get his fifth NBA MVP award, which would make him tied with Michael Jordan. James has played one of the best regular seasons in his career, averaging 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

NBA also announced finalists for other awards, with the winners set to be revealed on June 25. The winners for most of the awards will be voted on by a panel of 100 media members, while the fans will have the opportunity to determine award winners for the best dunk, assist, block and clutch shot of the year.

You can check out the finalists for other awards below.

Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Joel Embiid (76ers), Rudy Gobert (Jazz)
Coach of the Year: Dwane Casey (Toronto Raptors), Quin Snyder (Jazz), Brad Stevens (Celtics)
Most Improved Player: Clint Capela (Rockets), Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn Nets), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers)
Sixth Man of the Year: Eric Gordon (Rockets), Lou Williams (LA Clippers), Fred VanVleet (Raptors)

The post James Harden, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James Finalists for NBA MVP Award appeared first on SportzBonanza.

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.

The post DeMar DeRozan Thinks James Harden is “Lock” to Become MVP appeared first on SportzBonanza.