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Brooklyn Nets: James Harden made best MVP argument yet vs Blazers

By Jerry Trotta

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers defends against James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on March 23, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers defends against James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Moda Center on March 23, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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The Brooklyn Nets were hit with some disconcerting news when it was reported that Kyrie Irving wouldn’t be accompanying the team for its three-game road trip this week to attend to what was described as a “family matter.”

Throw in the fact that superstar Kevin Durant is still nursing a hamstring injury and shooting specialist Landry Shamet, who suffered a sprained ankle over the weekend, also wouldn’t be available, and the trip became all the more daunting.

Though James Harden is obviously more than capable of willing a shorthanded team to a road victory, there were questions about whether the Nets would have enough firepower to defeat fellow MVP candidate Damian Lillard and sixth-seeded Blazers on Tuesday night.

When the dust settled, however, Harden — though he was battling a neck ailment leading up to tipoff — delivered another exceptional performance. While he’s had several memorable showings with Brooklyn, we’d go as far as to say that this was his best MVP argument to date.

Nets star James Harden continues to force his name into the MVP conversation.

Harden didn’t have the greatest shooting night (he shot 7-for-24 overall), so he pivoted and allowed his playmaking to take centerstage. When all was said and done, the nine-time All-Star poured in 25 points, seven rebounds and a career-high 17 assists.

Harden missed several shots down the stretch, but, aside from Jeff Green’s game-clinching free throws with just seconds remaining in regulation, he scored or assisted on the Nets’ final five baskets. It’s worth noting the Trail Blazers were within two possessions of either tying or taking the lead the entire fourth quarter, so these were massive trips down the floor for Harden.

The former MVP delivered on almost every possession, most notably taking advantage of Portland’s refusal to get back on defense after missed shots, as he threw numerous full-court passes to a hustling Blake Griffin and Nicolas Claxton to further cushion the Nets’ lead.

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1374575278828101633

Perhaps the most impressive component of Harden’s performance is the fact that he was questionable leading up to the game with a neck injury.

With his superstar teammates already sidelined, the 31-year-old could have easily taken the night off after logging 39 minutes in the win over Washington on Sunday night. However, he wasn’t about to let his team give an inch in the race for the top seed in the East.

In doing so, Harden continued to ascend up the MVP latter. Call us crazy, but if the Nets go on to sweep this three-game trip, he should be considered neck-and-neck with Nuggets unicorn Nikola Jokic (since LeBron James and Joel Embiid are hurt) as the consensus frontrunners for the award.