The NBPA began handing out their season awards this week to several deserving players.Players have voted for several different awards including The MVP Award, The People’s Champ Award, Mr. Clutch Award, The Leader of the New School Award (best rookie), The Locksmith Award (best defender), The Backbone (best team leader), The Sneaker Champ Award (best sneaker game), The Most Respected Award (influential veteran), and The Freshest Award (best style/fashion on and off the court).Yesterday, they handed out the awards for The Best Side Hustle Award (best off-court endeavors, in fashion, tech, media, art, etc.), The X-Factor Award (best off the bench), and The Toughest To Guard Award.Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder won The Best Side Hustle Award, Lou Williams of the Los Angeles Clippers won The X-Factor Award, while James Harden of the Houston Rockets won The Toughest To Guard Award.Harden has improved season after season with the Rockets and he has helped to take the team to the next level. His performances on the court this season helped the team achieve a record of 65-17, which is a franchise record, as well as reaching the Western Conference Finals in the playoffs.

The Rockets guard, who is also the favourite to win the MVP award, averaged career highs in points throughout the regular season and playoffs, and has become a well-rounded offensive player that's difficult for any defender to defend against.

Throughout the regular season, he averaged 30.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists, while during the playoffs, he averaged 28.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.8 assists.

Being recognized by his peers as the toughest to guard against ahead of the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant is a great honour for Harden to have at the age of 28, as he still has plenty of years left to play in the NBA and can only get better.

If he does win the MVP award this season, which seems likely, the only thing that would be missing from his basketball resume would be a championship, but luckily for him, he has plenty of years to change that.

CLICK HERE to listen to Episode Two of the new GiveMeSport NBA podcast, featuring New York Times senior writer Marc Stein. Subscribe for all future episodes.