The NBA Awards show was held tonight (June 25) at 9 ET for the 2017-18 season. One of the most important awards, MVP, is always held toward the end of the show and it was down to three contestants - LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and James Harden. While there was a lot of support for LeBron James winning the award, James Harden ended up winning the award, after having a sensational year for the Houston Rockets. Reports by ESPN and USA Today were used for information in this article.

His time

James Harden was a finalist for the award just like last year, but at that time it was Russell Westbrook who took home the award.

This time around, it was Harden's turn, as he took home the MVP trophy.

Harden was very deserving of the award, as an article by ESPN notes that "Harden's first MVP trophy comes after he finished the 2017-18 season as the league's scoring champ, averaging 30.4 points while leading the Rockets to a franchise record 65 victories." The Houston Rockets had a great year and there is no question that Harden had a lot to do with that, despite all the talent around him that included Chris Paul and Clint Capela.

James Harden put together a great season on offense. He was nearly unstoppable, playing his own game, making plenty of threes, and getting to the rim. His defense is a liability, but he stepped up on that side of the floor this year.

He did so even more throughout the playoffs.

The MVP was able to get the Houston Rockets past the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves, but fell just one game short in the 2018 Western Conference Finals, losing the series 4-3 to the reigning champion Golden State Warriors.

Thankful for the award

James Harden was also very thankful for the award, praising his mother for raising him to be the man he wanted to be.

USA Today notes that at a young age Harden wrote a letter to his mother that read: "Imma be a star." Even the player himself knew that he would become a star through all the hard work and dedication.

During the MVP speech, the 28-year-old also had a positive message to spread to the youth stating "Shout out to all the young ones, they got a dream.

It's a vision out there. Go take it, go chase that dream."

Outduels LeBron James and Anthony Davis

With the NBA awards behind us, other finalist LeBron James has a huge decision to make this offseason about staying with the Cleveland Cavaliers or going elsewhere to chase rings and notably, Michael Jordan. LeBron was a finalist for the award, as he played in all 82 games in the regular season, as stated by ESPN and averaged "27.5 points and career highs of 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds." Could he next go to the Lakers?

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a rocky season and that could be why LeBron did not get the award, as the Rockets were the much better team in a tougher conference.

Anthony Davis also fell short, despite averaging "30.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.2 blocks and 2.0 steals after Jan. 28." Davis did just about everything for the New Orleans Pelicans after losing his teammate DeMarcus Cousins to injury.

Congratulations to James Harden for winning MVP and having a terrific year! And also to Ben Simmons, who was named the Rookie of the Year.
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