Houston Rockets guard James Hardenstill believes he was shafted in NBA MVP voting last season, and he doesn't want you to forget it.
"I know I was the MVP," Harden said toNBA.com's Fran Blinebury. "That's 100 percent given all the things that happened last season."
The Rockets had the second-best record in the Western Conference at 56-26, with key players Terrence Jones (49 games), Dwight Howard (41 games), and Patrick Beverley (26 games) missing huge chunks of time.
"Credit the Golden State Warriors for an unbelievable year," Harden said. "They had an unbelievable team, coaching staff, everything.
"But that award means most valuable to your team. We finished second in the West, which nobody thought we were going to do at the beginning of the year even when everybody was healthy. We were near the top in having the most injuries. We won our division in a division where every single team made the playoffs."
Warriors guard Stephen Curry took home MVP honors, garnering 1,198 points and 100 of 130 possible first-place votes. Harden finished as the runner-up with 936 points and 25 first-place votes.
"There's so many factors. I led the league in total points scored, minutes played," Harden added. "Like I said, I'm not taking anything away from Steph, but I felt I deserved the Most Valuable Player. That stays with me."
Houston couldn't function on offense without the three-time All-Star, scoring 14 fewer points per 100 possessions when Harden sat. Not only tops in points and minutes, Harden also led the NBA in free throws (715) and win shares (16.4).
A straight head-to-head statistical comparison between Harden and Curry is too close to call, with voters perhaps placing more stock in Golden State's 67-15 record to help end the debate.
A new season means new opportunities for Harden to earn the 2015-16 NBA MVP. The likes of Curry, LeBron James, and a healthy Kevin Durant will be in the mix, but should Houston improve on its magical campaign from a year ago - with Harden being the primary reason for their success - it will be difficult not to throw a few more first-place votes his way this time around.
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