THE TAKE
Nope. Playoffs will determine if LeBron still has the undisputed crown, or if James Harden can stake his claim. Harden will have to win Finals MVP to do it, and I like his odds.
BOLDNESS
78/100
GRADE
3/100
PLAYERS / TEAMS
James HardenLeBron James
GRADING CRITERIA
TRUE IF
James Harden wins the 2021 NBA Finals MVP award. Take is
FALSE IF
Harden does not win Finals MVP, whether due to his team being eliminated before the Finals, losing the Finals, or another player winning Finals MVP.
bold callcontrarianhot take
OUTCOME
CONFIRMED FALSEJames Harden never won the NBA Finals MVP. From 2021 to 2025, the Finals MVPs were Giannis Antetokounmpo (2021), Stephen Curry (2022), Nikola Jokic (2023), Jaylen Brown (2024), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2025). Harden never even appeared in the NBA Finals during this period, bouncing between the Nets, 76ers, and Clippers without a deep postseason run.