James Harden receives NBPA ‘Toughest To Guard’ award

Even though James Harden didn’t win this year’s MVP award, he had a scoring season for the ages. Harden averaged 36.6 points per game this past season, going on a rampage of scoring at least 30 for 32-straight games.

During that stretch, Harden averaged 40.1 points per game with about 7.5 rebounds and assists to boot. This year was the first time that any player has averaged better than 35 points since Kobe Bryant back in 2006. You’d have to go all the way back to Michael Jordan’s 1986-87 season to find an average higher than Harden’s 36.6 from this season. This is the second-straight season in which Harden has led the NBA in scoring.

NBPA releases its fifth annual Players’ Voice Awards. Russell Westbrook voted the “NBPA Freshest” for best style on and off the court. Jerami Grant was Awards the “NBPA Backbone” award as best team leader, one of 30 winners voted on by players. pic.twitter.com/cd97mu1sqK

— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) July 10, 2019

PJ Tucker also brought home an award, reclaiming his title as the NBPA Sneaker Champ. Tucker is famously known for the number of sneakers he wears over the course of an NBA season and is widely respected as having the best sneaker collection in the league.