James Harden backs himself for MVP after monster performance for Nets

James Harden clutched up and had his best performance of the season for the Brooklyn Nets during Friday's 113-111 win over the Detroit Pistons. 

After the game, Harden didn't say he should be in the MVP conversation. Instead, he said he should sit atop the list. 

"Do I feel like I belong in it? I feel like I am the MVP," Harden said, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews. "I mean, it's just that simple. I don't want to be speaking individually on myself. I am just going to leave it at that."

With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving sidelined, Harden notched 44 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists against the Pistons.

In 31 games with the Nets this season, the three-time scoring champion is averaging 26 points, 8.9 rebounds and a career-high 11.4 assists per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 36.2% from deep. Brooklyn is 24-7 when Harden is on the floor.

Harden won MVP in 2018, when he led the NBA in scoring with 30.4 points per game. This year, he's leading the league in assists. 

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid and Harden's teammate Kevin Durant were considered favorites to win the MVP until each suffered injuries in recent weeks. 

Harden has made a strong case to take home the hardware this season, but it's hard to say if he'll actually win the award. According to Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill, Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic is the current front-runner for MVP.