Chris Bosh Picks James Harden over LeBron James to Win NBA MVP Award
Chris Bosh won two championships alongside LeBron James with the Miami Heat, but he doesn't believe his former teammate is the top candidate for 2017-18 NBA MVP.
When asked for his opinion on the matter by TMZ Sports on Thursday, Bosh chose Houston Rockets guard James Harden over LeBron for MVP honors.
Both James and Harden are enjoying fantastic seasons, and they will likely finish in the top two of MVP voting.
LeBron is already a four-time MVP, while Harden finished second to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook last season.
James' numbers are arguably better overall, as he is averaging 27.6 points, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 54.7 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Harden is putting up a league-leading 30.7 points per game to go along with 8.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds. He is shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from long range as well.
LeBron was asked Wednesday who he would choose as the MVP, and he told the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com) that he would vote for himself: "I would vote for me. The body of work, how I'm doing it, what's been happening with our team all year long, how we've got so many injuries and things of that nature, guys in and out, to be able to still keep this thing afloat, I definitely would vote me."
The biggest thing that could tip the scales in Harden's favor is overall team success.
Cleveland has struggled at times this season, and it is currently third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 45-30. Conversely, the Rockets have surprisingly surpassed the Golden State Warriors to own the NBA's best record at 61-14.
If Harden is named MVP, he will be the first Rockets player to receive the honor since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1993-94.
