SANTA MONICA, CALIF. - The third time was the charm for James Harden.
The Houston Rockets star was voted the NBA's Most Valuable Player after twice being runner-up, beating out four-time winner LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Pelicans at the NBA Awards on Monday night.
Harden joined Michael Jordan as the only players to average at least 20 points, eight assists, five rebounds and 1.7 steals in a season.
He led the league in scoring, three-pointers and 50-point games with four while helping the Rockets to an NBA-leading 65 wins.
"The last four years have been like knocking on the door, knocking on the door. Now the moment is finally here," Harden said. "Just every single year you try to come back and be better than you were the year before, and just to be holding that trophy finally, it means a lot."
James didn't attend the show in Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport amid frenzied speculation about his future. He has until Friday to tell the Cavaliers if he will pick up his $35.6 million option for next season or opt for free agency.
Harden, who is from Los Angeles, led his mother on stage before he accepted the trophy from Commissioner Adam Silver.
"I'm not going to get emotional," he said from behind dark sunglasses. "She's my backbone in good times and bad times."
