Despite the fact that the 2019 NBA Playoffs are still going on, the finalists for each award in the NBA were announced. James Harden of the Rockets, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks, and Paul George of the Thunder were named as the finalists for the MVP award. These three players are the top three leaders in points per game. Below is why each of the three candidates should take home the award.

James Harden

James Harden was easily the best offensive player in the NBA this season and anyone who disagrees clearly doesn't watch basketball. He averaged a career-high 36.1 points, which was 5.7 points higher than his previous career-high.

Harden's average of 36.1 points was far ahead of anyone else, as Paul George was averaging 28 points a game.

This season, Harden set the record for most consecutive 30-point games, as he scored 30 or more points in 32 straight games. He also posted the highest free throw percentage of his career with a free throw percentage of 87.9 percent. Harden arguably played the best defense of his career, as he averaged a career-high two steals per game and tied his previous career-high averaging 0.7 blocks per game.

Among the NBA finalists for the MVP award, Harden averaged the most points, assists and had the highest free throw percentage. He also played more games than either of the other MVP candidates.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis, who's also known by his nickname the Greek Freak, had the best season of his career. He averaged career-highs in the three main categories by averaging 27.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 12.5 rebounds. Can the Greek Freak be the best ever?

This year was the first year that Giannis averaged a double-double and he also played a huge role in the Bucks finishing first place in the Eastern Conference.

The Greek Freek is also a candidate for the best defensive player of the year.

Between Giannis, Harden, and George, The Greek Freak averaged the most rebounds with 12.5. He also averaged the most blocks, with 1.5, and had the highest field goal percentage, with a 57.8 field goal percentage.

Paul George

Despite playing with Russell Westbrook, who averaged a triple-double for the third straight season, George still managed to be a factor on his team.

Like Giannis, George put up career-high averages in the three main categories with 28 points, 4.1 assists, and 8.2 rebounds. He also averaged a career-high 2.2 steals, which led him becoming a candidate for a defensive player of the year award.

George put up the highest three point percentage (38.6), averaged the most steals (2.2), averaged the least amount of turnovers (2.7), averaged the least amount of fouls per game (2.8), and averaged the most minutes per game (36.9) among the finalists.
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