Kia MVP Ladder: Relentless James Harden keeps on rising

James Harden is main the NBA in assists per sport this season (11.1).

Introspection kicked in for James Harden within the aftermath of dropping a 38-point triple-double Monday to steer the Brooklyn Nets past the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However as a substitute of basking within the glory of Brooklyn’s fourth win in 5 outings, Harden kept talking about improvement.

“You [can] by no means be complacent. I can’t be complacent,” he mentioned. “I’ve by no means been like that, and I received’t begin now. I believe I can at all times be higher. I believe while you’re making an attempt to perform one thing, first, you’ve received to look within the mirror, take a look at your self, see what issues you are able to do higher and methods you possibly can contribute in a greater means for the betterment of the staff.”

He’s carried out that for positive, whereas concurrently kicking open the door for entry into the highest 5 of this week’s Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.

Since Harden debuted with the Nets on Jan. 16, the staff owns a document of 26-7 in video games he’s performed.

“I can’t management every thing that’s happening round me,” mentioned Harden, who leads the league in assists (11.1 per sport). “However one factor I do know I can management is myself. So, I’ve received to do a greater job of my choice making, getting guys of their positions, and simply getting a shot up. If we get a shot up, then that’s adequate. Then, we will get our protection set. And I shall be higher.”

The Kia Race to the MVP Ladder stays extensive open, partly as a consequence of accidents to stars LeBron James and Joel Embiid. However gamers corresponding to Harden and Nikola Jokic proceed to shine with competitors heating up for the stretch run of the season. So, it’s no shock Jokic and Harden earned Kia NBA Player of the Month of their respective conferences for the month of March.

Jokic retains the highest spot on this week’s Kia Race to the MVP Ladder, whereas Dallas Mavericks star guard Luka Doncic lastly cracks the highest 5 after averaging 29.4 factors per sport all through March and hitting 43.3% from 3-point vary in almost 35 minutes per sport. Gutsy Portland Path Blazers guard Damian Lillard strikes up a spot to No. 2, whereas Embiid and James lastly fall out of the highest 5.

And now, the High 5 this week within the 2020-21 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder:

1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Last week’s ranking: No. 1

Season stats: 26.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 8.5 apg, 1.6 spg

A triple-double machine, Jokic is without doubt one of the important causes Denver is 9-3 since the All-Star break. The large man would possibly even be on the best way to ending the season within the elusive 50-40-90 membership. Denver accomplished its first season sweep of Philadelphia since 2015-16 on Tuesday by dominating the 76ers inside with Jokic. The Nuggets received the rebounding battle in opposition to the Embiid-less 76ers 51-34 and outscored them within the paint 44-32. Then on Thursday, Jokic found ways to connect with new addition Aaron Gordon for buckets en path to a 101-94 win in opposition to the Clippers.

2. Damian Lillard, Portland Path Blazers

Last week’s ranking: No. 3

Season stats: 29.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 7.8 apg

The NBA’s second-leading scorer, Lillard continues to combat by means of varied nagging accidents to steer a surging Portland squad that sits at sixth within the Western Convention. The Blazers enter tonight’s showdown in opposition to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks (10 ET, NBA TV) driving a four-game win streak with Lillard averaging 25.7 ppg within the three outings he performed in the course of the streak. Lillard scorched the Detroit Pistons from deep on Wednesday, hitting 5 of seven to complete with 33 factors. What’s scarier is Lillard believes the Path Blazers, which have battled by means of a slew of accidents this season, are lastly complete once more and “trending upwards.”

3. James Harden, Brooklyn Nets

Last week’s ranking: No. 6

Season stats: 25.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 11.1 apg

Harden missed just his third game since becoming a member of the Nets on Thursday — as a consequence of tightness in his proper hamstring — after initially struggling the harm the night time earlier than in Brooklyn’s comeback win in opposition to the Houston Rockets. Nets coach Steve Nash expressed optimism that Harden’s harm received’t preserve him out for a major period of time. Brooklyn was 7-6 earlier than buying Harden, however have since gone 26-7 in video games he’s performed whereas ending 1-2 in video games he’s missed. Harden’s stellar play has been key in Brooklyn climbing atop the Jap Convention standings for the primary time since April of 2003.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Last week’s ranking: No. 2

Season stats: 28.3 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.3 bpg

Antetokounmpo completed with a career-worst-tying minus-31 in 34 minutes Monday in a loss to the Clippers. He then adopted that up Wednesday with 9 turnovers in opposition to the Lakers (which additionally tied a career-high). Nonetheless, Antetokounmpo posted a double-double (25 factors, 10 rebounds) to assist Milwaukee snap a three-game skid. Even higher, he completed March capturing 3-pointers with 10% higher accuracy (39.4%) than the earlier two months. Milwaukee goes into tonight’s matchup against Lillard in Portland with a document of 12-10 on the street (3-5 street document in opposition to West groups).

5. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Last week’s ranking: No. 7

Season stats: 28.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 8.9 apg

Doncic missed a back-to-back set on March 26 and 27 and, coincidentally, Dallas misplaced each video games after successful two in a row. He returned on March 29 and led the Mavericks to consecutive wins as they quietly creep up the West standings. Regardless of beginning the season battling accuracy from deep (9.5% on 3-pointers in December), Doncic was scorching in March, averaging 43.3% from lengthy vary, 52.7% general and 29.4 ppg. “It’s repetition, but it surely’s additionally plenty of confidence,” Doncic mentioned Wednesday after racking up 36 factors in Dallas’ win in opposition to the Boston Celtics. You’ll be able to see that confidence simply oozing proper here.

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The Subsequent 5:

6. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

7. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

8. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers

9. Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets

10. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

And 5 extra: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors; Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz; Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans; Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns; Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz.

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Michael C. Wright is a senior author for NBA.com. You’ll be able to e-mail him here, discover his archive here and observe him on Twitter.

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