James Harden of the Houston Rockets has once again had a fantastic season, both individually and as part of a team.

Not only has he averaged an amazing 30.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game over 72 games this season, but he has also guided his team to a new franchise record of most wins in a single season of 65.

Yet, there are still those that believe the likes of LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, and last year's winner Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder could pip up to the post for the award. Kobe Bryant, however, isn't having any of it.

Speaking to Sam Amick of USA Sports Today the Lakers legend said there should be no debate over which player should be winning the MVP award this season, as the clear winner is Harden because not only has been great this year, he has been fantastic for the past three years.

Bryant said: “It’s got to be James. I really don’t understand the debate about picking somebody else. I don’t get it. Like, what the hell does this guy have to do?

"I mean for the last three years, the guy has been absolutely lights out, and now you still want to sit here and debate who should be MVP when he leads the league in scoring (30.4 points per game), his assists numbers (8.8 per) are off the charts, they have the best record in the league (65-16).

“If he doesn’t win MVP this year, what the hell is he supposed to do to win MVP, average 40 (points), 15 (assists) and 15 (rebounds)? I mean, come on now. Enough is enough.”

Many believe Harden should have won the award last year over Westbrook, but it was hard to deny the award to the Thunder star after his triple-double average. While he has managed to achieve that average for the second year in a row, the numbers, individually and as a team, between these two is staggeringly different this time around.

Westbrook only just managed to achieve a triple-double average this season in the last game of the season where he had 20 rebounds. He was going for the stats, rather than the points against the Memphis Grizzlies, as he only scored six points after 37 minutes, shooting 2-of-9 from the field.

Where Harden really separates himself from Westbrook though, and the rest of the MVP chasers, is his team's record. The Rockets finished with 65 wins, while the Cavs got 50 wins, and the Thunder and Pelicans achieved 48 wins. Harden has managed to put up monster numbers while also getting the result on the court. It should be more than enough to crown him MVP this season.

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