James Harden Collects First MVP at 2018 NBA Awards Ceremony

He thought he should have won it last year, but James Harden finally has his MVP trophy.

Harden, the league’s scoring champ after averaging 30.4 points per game while leading the Rockets to a franchise-record 65 victories, didn’t prepare a speech in case he didn’t win.

After his name was announced, he nevertheless delivered some words on the award.

Other honors bestowed at the 2018 NBA Awards Ceremony included Rookie of the Year which was won by Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers, the Sixth Man Award which was won by Lou Williams, Defensive Player of the Year which was won by Rudy Gobert, and Most Improved Player which was won by Victor Oladipo.

Fired Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey, who has since been hired by the Detroit Pistons, took home Coach of the Year honors despite losing the gig that earned him the award.

Despite the somewhat awkward circumstances, he took the high road with his remarks.

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Evan Bleier

Evan is a senior editor with InsideHook who earned a master’s degree in journalism from NYU and has called Brooklyn home since 2006. A fan of Boston sports, Nashville hot chicken and Kentucky bourbon, Evan has had his work published in publications including “Maxim,” Bleacher Report and “The Daily Mail.”