Cover Description

[The following text appears on the cover. This is 1 of 3 covers.]

NBA MIDSEASON REPORT

The Unlikely MVP

JAMES HARDEN

No 24

The Unlikely Turnaround

THE WARRIORS

No 32

The Unlikely Breakout Star

JIMMY BUTLER

No 38

A TRIBUTE DEAN SMITH1931--2015

"I could be the best player in the world."

—JAMES HARDEN TO LEE JENKINS

PHOTO

SI HAS REGIONAL COVER THIS WEEK: ROBERT SEALE FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (HARDEN)