James Harden Beats out Stephen Curry for the MVP at the NBPA Awards

Stephen Curry might be the 2015 NBA MVP but James Harden is the one that other players in the league believe should have won the MVP.

Harden, who came in second in MVP voting, won the MVP award at the first ever NBA Players Association Awards (NBPA) broadcasted on Tuesday night. Although Curry missed out on a second MVP award, he did not go home empty handed. Curry won the Hardest to Guard and Clutch Performer awards.

Congrats to @JHarden13 who was voted MVP by his peers at the #PlayersAwardsBET! pic.twitter.com/Ps2WGTrxHz

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) July 22, 2015

Throughout the regular season, Harden averaged 27.4 points, seven assists and 5.4 rebound whereas Curry averaged 23.8 points, 7.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds. Despite having better numbers, Harden and the Houston Rockets were not able to defeat the team with the best record in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors, led by Curry, won that series 4-1 before going on to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 for the title of NBA Champions.

This is the first time that players have been able to vote and recognize their peers' hard work. NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts explained back on April 27 why they were planning an awards ceremony.

Roberts's press release read:

"Our players have long wanted to recognize greatness from within their own ranks, and with the first-ever Basketball Players Awards we have created a vehicle for them to do so. The level of participation from players in the voting process has been overwhelming so far and we are looking forward to unveiling all of the results this July in Las Vegas."

New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony said according to the press release, "We as players want the opportunity to recognize our peers. We are making that happen with our own award show."

Here is the full list of winners:

1. Most Valuable Player - James Harden, Houston Rockets

2. Best Defender - DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers

3. Man of the Year - Ray Allen

4. Hardest to guard - Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

5. Clutch Performer - Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

6. Coach You Most Want to Play For - Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs

7. Game-Changer Honor - Allen Iverson

8. Oscar Robertson Visionary Award - Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

9. Best Homecourt Advantage - Oracle Arena (Golden State Warriors)

10. Player You Secretly Wish Was on Your Team - LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers