Should James Harden win ROY?

I sense satire in this argument but here is my take on the Brandon Jennings issue. Jennings provided the Bucks with the true point guard they've been lacking after the departure of T.J. Ford. Jennings is someone who can put the ball in his hands and make things happen, either by getting his own shot or creating opportunity for others. The funny thing is, the last time time the Bucks actually made the playoffs was also the last year Ford was with the Bucks. Some analysts like Sir Charles may look to point at Andrew Bogut as the reason for the Bucks current success and there are some truths to this but in the game of big men and little guys, you need both.

A good big men is only as effective as the point guard who can get him the ball while a point guard is only successful if he has teammates who can finish plays. After Bogut went down, the Bucks went on to finish the season 4-2 without him. Overall for the season, the Bucks are 6-7 when Bogut isn't playing. Another factor you have to consider is the absence of Michael Redd for most of this season. Anytime you lose an All-Star like Redd and still make the playoffs, I would consider that quite a remarkable achievement, although the additions of John Salmon certainly helps as well. The Eastern Conference may still not be up to par with the West yet but it certainly ain't no pushover as it has been in the past with teams like Atlanta, Charlotte, Toronto, and Chicago making strives in improvements.

The reason why Brandon Jennings is still in the ROY conversation has a lot to do with his 55 point outburst against our defenseless Warriors and the current criteria that is used to determine regular season MVP winners. I certainly don't agree with utilizing the MVP measuring scale when selecting a rookie of the year winner. It should be based on how strong of a transition a player has made from college (or overseas) to the next NBA level. This can only be reflected in a player's statistical accomplishments that may or may not affect their team's success. You can not determine how much of an impact a rookie has on a team through the intangibles they provide regardless of how much the team record improves unless you can see it with actual numbers of their contributions.

The MVP scaling system used to judge it's candidates based on the same merits as the ROY nominees but this criteria for the award started to disrupt team chemistry of some of the expansion teams as the star players (like Glen Robinson, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson to name a few) began padding their own numbers to the detriment of their team's success. This is why the MVP judging format was altered to include team record and ranking within each division/conference. Plus, there is a higher probability that you'll see more NBA stars putting up eye-gouging numbers every year than you'll see rookies who perform like Evans, Curry, or Jennings.

Therefore, I stand by the conviction that rookies who perform at the highest level to distinguishing themselves from their team should receive the ROY honors. That's how players in the D-League earn their stripes to get called up to the NBA - by standing out and not just fitting in to the demise of their own performances.

Just my 2 cents.

No, but there's a difference between Jennings and Harden.

Jennings actually helped the Bucks this season, his numbers may seems not that impressive (If you compare his to the likes of Tyreke or Curry) but without him, Bucks wouldn't even make the play off, Redd has been injured this season and Bogut is a good player, but not really a franchise player, Jennings is a perfect missing piece for that puzzle.

While Harden is a good player, he doesn't really affect the Thunders that much, he's only a solid 3 pointers and bench scorer, you could find that kind of player everywhere in the league.

I remember back in 2003-2004 NBA season, LeBron was averaging 20-5-5 and Melo averaged more points by a bit, yet LeBron won the ROY despite the Cavs had worse record than the Nuggets. Wade with the Heat also went to the play off, but Wade only averaged like 16 PPG.

I see Jennings will end up his rookie year like Wade (Going to play off but not winning ROY). And Evans will win ROY simple because of 20-5-5 numbers.

You make a very good point. I didn't think of this. James Harden is in the shadow of Kevin Durant, I remember he had a lot of rebounds and 3's against the Warriors.He helped greatly in that game for the Thunder and he has had other amazing games, just as many other rookies have had. He is very underated and he did help turn around the Thunder. However, he isn't doing the amazing things Curry and Evans are doing. He does deserves to be up there with Collison, Thorton and maybe Jennings though. Therefore, he doesn't deserve to get ROY. Great point,

No i wouldnt put Harden in the convo. The guy will definetely have a sold career though. He had a better rookie season than people expected.

I think the only thing hurting Curry and Tyreke is the fact theyre on bad teams. Both players will be all stars in less than 5 years and are the face of their franchises but their records put a stain on their individual success.

Too be honest i dont have a problem with Jennings winning it. His team has a pretty descent seed for a team that hasnt been in the playoffs for a while and with Bogut and redd out, he is definetely the leader now.

I noticed alot of the up and coming young stars are Pac-10 guys. And they say that conference is weak. hahahaha

harden is nice, but...not curry/evans nice.

im looking at curry hard right now. that kid is the closest thing to the next nash in the league. only he jordan and one other have had this many 30pts 10assts games in a rookie season. he weathered playing along side ellis (who wouldnt even talk to him the first couple of months; and was playing at all star level) and still turned out with great averages.

evans is great also and played very consistently, except when kevin martin came back for that short while.

evans scored more but took more shots. curry played through an average of 6 guys injured each game of the year and d-leaguers stepping in and out of the lineup.

either way both of these guys deserve it. im leaning towards curry but will not be angry if evans gets it.

jennings started off red hot but 39 or so percent from the field? blah. honestly im placing collison in front of him for the running (collison stepped in and produced immediately; how good would he have been playing all year on a team where he was the focus? we wont know..).

harden lawson holiday...there were many good rookies but my vote goes to curry for now.

Durant made Harden the player he is. While everyone was focused on Durant, Harden was free to look for an open shot, or even feed Durant for an assist. In the end, everything revolves around Durant on that team.

Curry and Evans were on their own, basically carrying the team to each victory. Curry and Evans are basically all their team has.

I don't think playoffs should be considered at all when choosing a winner for an award. It should be solely graded on the players performance.

Uhhh... Kevin Durant turned the team around. Not Harden. He played a supporting role, and did not put up the numbers that Curry and Evans did.

i don't think he is the best rookie this year, tyreke evans and stephon curry had better seasons. I believe if one of then where on the thunder that they would have a better chance to beat the lakers.

I don't necessarily think its all about James Harden, I think that because he and Durant are there it allows for Westbrook to get easier scoring oppurtunities, likewise Westbrook does the same for Harden.

no but james harden is a beast and also OKC has kevin durant this guy won't miss a shot