James Harden: 'I feel as though I am the MVP'

So much for not wanting to hear the talk about individual awards.

James Harden followed the lead of the Houston Rockets front office Thursday, championing himself as the league's rightful winner of the MVP award.

But Harden didn't just shoot off and ask for the award. Instead, he provided a detailed, nuanced case as to why he feels he should get the nod over, say, Steph Curry, who spent Thursday making quite the case for himself.

Here's Harden on his own candidacy:

I feel as though I am the MVP. I think the MVP is the most valuable player to your team. Obviously you have to be winning and be one of the top teams in this league and we are.

I'm not taking credit away from anybody else in the league. But I've been consistent all year. I've just been doing the right things to put my team in situations to win, considering all of the different circumstances we've had to deal with.
...
I'm looking at all those things put together. Like I said, not taking away from Steph or that team. It's an unbelievable season that they're having. But we're having a pretty good season as well with all the injuries and all that we've been going through this season.

Look, I understand that people can go either way with it. But for the most valuable player, I think I would have the edge.

Harden has as strong a case as anyone, but the voting will surely be tight. While Curry has the edge in team record, Harden has a much thinner Rockets team at 53-25 despite myriad injury issues. He's also averaging a league-high 27.6 points along with 5.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.9 steals, all while leading the league in total minutes played.

The league's leading scorer on one of the league's best teams who's kept his squad afloat amid plenty of injuries not winning the award seems crazy, but it speaks to how unbelievable Curry, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Chris Paul have been this season that it's a legitimate debate with no clear answer.

Voters have until April 16 to make their decision. We don't envy them having to do so, but theScore will be making a case for each candidate throughout next week, so check back for that.