Grading Houston's Wetstbrook-Harden experiment at the NBA midway point

BetAmerica's NBA Roundtable is back with the latest news and trends from around the Association. This week columnists Cam Tucker, Sam Farley and Ryan Murphy discuss the league's MVP, Kyle Kuzma's importance to the Lakers, and James Harden and Russell Westbrook's partnership in Houston.

We’re over 40 games into the 2019-20 NBA season. Who has been your first half MVP?

Cam: I'm leaning toward Giannis Antetokounmpo. There's just no denying that without him, the league-leading Milwaukee Bucks would most certainly not be where they are today, with only six losses on the season. Hard to believe that after being named MVP last season, he's having an even better year. Averaging over 30 points per game puts him on pace for a career-high season, and he's once again averaging double digit defensive rebounds per game. It has to take a monumental second half from one of the other MVP contenders to knock Antetokounmpo from the throne. That said, don't discount what LeBron James is doing with the L.A. Lakers this season at the age of 35.

Sam: I’m biased because he’s one of my favorite players, but it has to be Luka Doncic. His team just isn't the same without him, and while that’s true of all of the contenders, it feels even more so with the Mavs. The guy is throwing down 30-point triple-doubles like they’re going out of fashion, and he’s putting up unreal numbers for his age. I also think sports aren’t just about winning and stats, they’re about how they make you feel. There’s not many in the league who are as exciting and exhilarating as Doncic when he’s on it. Disclaimer: I may have bet on Doncic winning MVP before the season.

Ryan: If I were Adam Silver I'd start engraving Antetokounmpo's name on the trophy now. Not only has the Greek Freak increased his scoring and rebounding averages from a season ago, but he's also increased his range to the three point line. It was hard enough guarding him in the paint, but opposing defenses have no chance now that he can reliably hit shots from beyond 23 feet. Antetokounmpo's improved play has the Milwaukee Bucks atop the Eastern Conference and in prime position to earn the franchise's first NBA title since 1971.

Kyle Kuzma had a breakthrough performance against OKC on Saturday. Do the Lakers need him to play like an All-Star to win the title?

Cam: If Kyle Kuzma did play like an All-Star every game  it would certainly help the Lakers' cause to win a championship, which they're already favored to do. Performances like the one against the Thunder are so tantalizing. They give a glimpse into what he may be capable of, given the opportunity, and when you have games like that with Anthony Davis and LeBron James both out, it illustrates his importance, particularly if he's used off the bench or if this team runs into injury or fatigue issues later in the season. There are other teams around the league that would love to have the luxury of having a player with such potential essentially as a depth piece.

Sam: It’s not just the Lakers who need Kuzma to play like an All-Star, it’s Kuzma himself. He’s got great potential, but he’s going to have to start consistently displaying it if he wants to stay in L.A. Kuzma has the potential to be a real game-breaker, and his points off the bench are going to be the difference at some point this season in a key game. He needs to ball out if the Lakers are going to win out against more stacked rosters.

Ryan: The Lakers don’t need Kuzma to play like an All-Star, but L.A. does need more consistent production from the third-year forward and his fellow reserves. The Lakers are a distant 21st in bench scoring this season at 34.5 points per game, and have looked rudderless when LeBron James and Anthony Davis sit. Better play from Kuzma is part of the solution, but Frank Vogel also needs bigger numbers from Rajon Rondo, whose shooting percentages plummeted in December, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who has a maddening habit of disappearing from one game to the next. Don’t be surprised if the Lakers pick up a little help in the second half of the season.

James Harden and Russell Westbrook recently became the first pair of Rockets teammates to each have 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in a game since 1994. How would you grade their partnership so far?

Cam: I'd give this a B+ through the first half of the season. There's always going to be an adjustment period going to a new team, and so for the Westbrook-Harden connection, there are going to be times of greatness and then others in which they don't mesh as well. Their respective points per game average for the season looks great. Keep in mind, the performance referenced below took place against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are not good, to put it mildly. Here's the thing: I've been sold on the Rockets before and they've let me down. Are they a contender in the West? Sure. But I'm not convinced this duo will take this team over the top.

Sam: Westbrook and Harden is the combo we were all buzzing to see this season, but I’m not convinced it’s ever going to work. I love cheesecake and I love filet mignon. Both are incredible, but together? Hell no. That’s how I view this partnership. That said, we’re going to have some incredible moments along the way this year, and also some humbling defeats. If I were a Rockets fan I’d grade this partnership a B-, but as a hoops fan, I’m grading A for entertainment.

Ryan: I’d give it an A-. The Rockets, who are 26-13, lead the league in scoring and have the league’s second-best offensive rating. That doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s a product of excellent court spacing, highly efficient shooting, and superb play from the team’s two stars. I assumed Harden and Westbrook would have to sacrifice their numbers, but the opposite has been true. Harden is averaging a career-high 37.7 points while hoisting the same number of shots as a year ago. Westbrook, meanwhile, is averaging more points and more shots attempts than he did last season in Oklahoma City. It’s a minor miracle, and now that Eric Gordon has returned to the lineup Houston should be considered a legitimate contender for the NBA Championship.

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