Focus thrusts Harden into MVP talk

Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) reacts after hitting a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Monday, March 23, 2015, in Indianapolis. Houston won 110-100.
Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) reacts after hitting a basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Monday, March 23, 2015, in Indianapolis. Houston won 110-100.

HOUSTON -- A couple of months ago, James Harden was told by a reporter that he seemed different this season, a year in which he has gone from a great player to a front-runner for MVP, and was asked what prompted the change.

Houston's bearded superstar bristled, and his eyes narrowed.

"Different how?" he demanded.

Harden was reminded of that moment recently and posed the question again. This time, away from the glare of television cameras in a quiet hallway of the arena where he has carried the Rockets to a 48-23 record, Harden leaned against the wall and finally agreed that he is different this time around.

"Focus," Harden said simply.

"Just more comfortable, knowing my teammates, being comfortable with myself on the court," Harden said. "Knowing how to get shots, knowing how to get my teammates shots, and once I feel comfortable I can worry about doing other things."

This comfort level in his third season with the Rockets since a trade from Oklahoma City has helped him improve in just about every way. Harden's averages in points (27.1 per game), rebounds (5.8), assists (7), steals (1.9) and blocks (0.8) are all career highs.

Most important to Harden is that he has helped keep the Rockets among the top teams in the Western Conference in a year where Dwight Howard his missed 37 games. And the three-time All-Star who is in his sixth year out of Arizona State is a better all-around player a season after being derided for ineffectiveness -- or worse -- disinterest on defense.

This season he is 10th in the NBA with 3.7 defensive win shares, which estimate the victories a player brings a team with his defense, up from 2.7 last season. That's better than the 3.4 given to Trevor Ariza, who is widely seen as a great defender.

"Now I'm able to go out there and dominate a game not just by scoring the basketball," Harden said. "Whether it's defensively, whether it's rebounding the basketball, whether it's getting 15 assists a night, just being able to dominate a game and figuring out a way to do it, how the flow of the game is going."

Harden is clearly the face of the franchise, although it's not his style to make sure declarations.

"I don't really try to put emphasis on this is my team, this is my show," Harden said. "I let the hard work and I let the communication and the will to go out there and just compete every single night at a high level do all the talking."

Harden has wowed fans this year with dozens of nifty plays. He crossed over Ricky Rubio so violently that the Minnesota player crashed to the court before Harden stepped back to swish a three-pointer. He had a buzzer-beater for a victory over Phoenix in January, and he has shined in the assist department, once bouncing a pass between Chris Paul's legs to Corey Brewer, who finished with a dunk.

Harden said his top moment has nothing to do with any of those highlights.

"Just seeing how quick guys came together when Dwight went out," Harden said. "We have so many injuries this season to where guys had opportunities to step up and they did. So that was probably the highlight, guys stepping up and taking advantage of their minutes."

While Harden is in the conversation for MVP along with the likes of Golden State's Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City, he and everyone else agreed the individual exploits do not matter without team success.

"I don't think he's out there trying to go out and be the MVP, he's just playing to win," Ariza said. "He loves the game, he works hard at his game and he wants to win, most importantly."

Sports on 03/27/2015

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