Brian Windhorst Regrets Voting James Harden as MVP in 2018: ‘LeBron James Was Robbed’
NBA insider Brian Windhorst recently made a surprising admission regarding his vote for the 2018 NBA MVP award, expressing regret for selecting James Harden over LeBron James. Windhorst, a longtime journalist known for his close ties to the NBA, revealed that in hindsight, he believes LeBron James was unfairly overlooked in that MVP race and should have been the recipient of the award.
Harden won the 2018 MVP after leading the Houston Rockets to an NBA-best 65-17 record while averaging 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. His remarkable performance that season, combined with the Rockets’ success, made him the obvious front-runner, earning him the league’s most prestigious individual honor. However, Windhorst now reflects on that season with a different perspective, citing LeBron James’ extraordinary performance as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ only true star that year.
LeBron James’ Dominance in 2018
LeBron James had another historic season in 2018, averaging 27.5 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game. Despite being in the midst of a challenging season with a Cleveland Cavaliers team that lacked depth and star power outside of him, James carried the team to the NBA Finals. His all-around brilliance was evident as he nearly single-handedly led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced off against the Boston Celtics in a grueling seven-game series.
James’ ability to elevate the Cavaliers in such a manner, especially in a post-Kyrie Irving era, was nothing short of remarkable. Windhorst noted that James’ leadership, versatility, and sheer dominance throughout the 2017-18 season should have earned him the MVP trophy. In comparison, Harden’s Rockets, while outstanding, benefited from a deeper roster and a team-oriented system, which Windhorst now feels may have tilted the scales unfairly in Harden’s favor.
While Harden’s individual numbers were undeniably impressive, Windhorst pointed out that LeBron’s efforts in an arguably weaker team context should have placed him in a stronger position to win the MVP. Furthermore, James was performing at an elite level despite having to carry a roster that struggled with consistency, particularly after the midseason trades that saw Cleveland overhaul much of its roster.
The MVP Debate: Harden vs. LeBron
The debate between Harden and LeBron for the 2018 MVP was one of the most contentious in recent NBA history. Harden’s Rockets dominated the regular season, setting a franchise record for wins, and Harden had an incredible individual season, becoming a true offensive juggernaut. However, LeBron James’ extraordinary consistency and leadership in leading the Cavaliers to the Finals, despite the team’s limitations, made many question the final MVP vote.
Windhorst, who had cast his vote for Harden, admitted that looking back, he feels the MVP decision was more about narrative than pure basketball performance. The narrative surrounding Harden’s Rockets, paired with the perception that LeBron had already won multiple MVPs, may have influenced voters’ decisions. Windhorst now believes that LeBron’s achievements that season were “robbed” of proper recognition, particularly considering that he had arguably the more difficult path to success.
Legacy of the 2018 MVP Race
Despite the controversial vote, James Harden’s 2018 MVP season remains a significant achievement in his career. However, Windhorst’s regret sheds light on how, in hindsight, the context of the MVP race may have skewed the decision. It also brings attention to LeBron’s continued status as one of the greatest players in NBA history, with some feeling that he often gets overlooked in favor of other candidates who may have had more team success.
For LeBron, 2018 was a year where his individual brilliance was overshadowed by external narratives, and Windhorst’s reflection only adds fuel to the ongoing debate. While Harden’s victory in 2018 cannot be undone, it is clear that LeBron James’ legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history remains unscathed, with many fans and analysts still believing he was the true MVP that season.
