NBA news: Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni reacts after James Harden makes THIS MVP claim
JAMES HARDEN and Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni are in agreement about where the NBA superstar belongs in this season’s MVP conversation.
The Rockets, who are 19-15, are preparing to take on the New Orleans Pelicans in Louisiana on Saturday night and ahead of the clash Houston’s coach D'Antoni has shared his views on the award.
The two-time NBA Coach of the Year admitted he was “amazed” that somebody could even ask Harden if he belongs in the MVP conversation.
“Harden just had a slow start an people kind of forgot,” D'Antoni said.
“We were down and only in 14th place, so I can understand why the conversation didn’t start off really quick.
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Anybody who has been watching basketball for the last month knows that he is on a phenomenal streak
“But anybody who has been watching basketball for the last month knows that he is on a phenomenal streak and probably playing better than when they gave him the MVP, so I don’t know why he wouldn’t be in the conversation.
“But a lot depends on getting back into the top one, or two, or three seeds in the league.
“We are striving for that, thats our goal and I’ll be disappointed if we don’t do it.”
The Rockets will be looking to to extend their three-game winning streak when they go on the road to face the Pelicans on Saturday.
And D'Antoni's comments come after Harden had made an optimistic assessment of this season’s MVP conversation.
"I mean, I receive a lot of hate, but it won't stop me from going out there and killing every single night, being that dog that I am,” Harden said.
"You can name a few other people that should be in the conversation.
“But realistically? It's coming back."
The Rockets have won eight of their last nine games and the team’s win over the Celtics on Thursday was the eighth consecutive game Harden scored at least 30 points.
"He just has a mastery of the game and a control and an ease at which he plays," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said.
"It's fun to watch. On this side, it's fun."
Harden is currently averaging 32.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game.