James Harden Has the Rockets Chanting MVP
James Harden. He might look like a slimmer Kimbo Slice (RIP). Critics might say he has “old-man game.” But the fact is he plays like, well… like James Harden. There isn’t another player in the game like him. In fact, I dare you to find a solid comparison. You won’t. In a league where people are always comparing top stars to past stars, saying he’s the next this and he’s the next that, Harden seems to have escaped such talk altogether. And maybe that’s because he spent the first half of his career playing third fiddle to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. But the point is, Harden has a unique style of play that sets him apart from his peers. Perhaps this year more than ever, he’s demonstrating just how special he is. And sure, his defense has some holes. But offensively, he’s making a name for himself as an elite player, and not just among his contemporaries. I’m not sure if it’s the Beard or what, but he’s got some serious mojo working.
This season, Harden is averaging 27.4 points, 11.9 assists, and 7.9 rebounds a game. He’s had more than his fair share of triple-doubles. But most significant is his marked improvement in assists and rebounds. Last year he averaged 6.1 rebounds and 7.5 assists. So while his scoring average has lowered a point or two, he’s spreading the ball to his teammates more, raising their play with his newfound generosity and leading the Rockets to a solid midseason record.
And that’s not all. In his time with Houston he’s averaged 27.02 points with 7.03 assists. His consistency has earned him such elite bedfellows as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and LeBron James. Not bad, aye? Still, I am not making comparisons between Harden and Jordan, Bird, or James. Their games are all very different. What makes them similar is their consistency–the way these players proved year in and year out just how valuable and talented they were. And that’s what Harden is doing.
Here’s the kicker though: what sets Harden apart is not necessarily his scoring, his assists, or his consistency. It’s his brain. His on-court intelligence.
Grantland’s Kirk Goldsberry writes, “James Harden is one of the smartest on-court players in the NBA. Perhaps more than anyone else, he understands the rules of the game and has engineered an approach to scoring that takes full advantage of these rules.
“It may not always be pretty (although sometimes it is), but it is almost always productive. Between his Eurostep and his incredible ability to get fouled, Harden might be a referee’s nightmare, but he’s also one of the best scorers in the league.”
If you look at Harden’s shooting chart, you’ll see a trend: he knows where to shoot the ball. Specifically, he concentrates his attempts largely within the paint and from three. That he’s also an efficient, accurate scorer makes him the offensive threat that he is. What’s more, Harden is a literal wizard at drawing fouls. He’s mastered the art of contact-highlighting (or flopping in laymen’s terms). With a free-throw percentage of .838, he has a knack for getting to the line and sinking his shots. In fact, in terms of free throw attempts per game, he’s second only to Russell Westbrook with 9.9.
So he shoots well, he draws fouls like a master sketch artist, and he capitalizes on every chance he gets at the free throw line. The fact that he’s averaging 11.9 assists this year is just the cherry on top. Because it demonstrates how much he trusts his teammates. It demonstrates that he’s actively looking to set up his fellow Rockets with good shots.
In the December 1 game against the Warriors, in which the two teams pushed the game to double OT, Harden posted a monster trip-dub: 29 points, 13 assists, and 15 rebounds (14 of which came on defense.) He went to the line 14 times and made 11 of those attempts. And he hit crucial shots in the second overtime to help his team squeak it out. Despite this loss, the Warriors are still the Western favorite to make the Finals. But if anything, it proved just how fierce this Rockets squad really is. It proved that they’re capable of hanging in with the league’s top teams. And it proved how much of a leader James Harden has become for Houston. In December alone, he’s averaging 26.3 points, 11.2 assists and 9.4 rebounds per game.
As we reach the midpoint of the season, the Rockets still trail the Spurs by three games. Both teams are playing their best ball right now. Both teams are 8-2 in their last ten. On December 20, the Spurs edged the Rockets 102-100. It was a tough game, hard fought on both sides. There’s no doubt the Rockets will make the playoffs, but they’re going to have to claw their way to the top if they wish to win the division. Fortunately, they’ve got a not so secret weapon named James Harden in their arsenal. And if Harden, who finds himself atop many an MVP list, can maintain his caliber of play then it’s not so far fetched to imagine the Rockets playing for the Western Conference Finals come playoff time. Whatever the case, though, it’s clear that Harden and Company trust each other, like they trust their ability to win when it counts. More importantly, it’s clear that they’re enjoying themselves this year. Just look at this celebration by Harden following a three pointer late in their recent victory over the Suns.
So they’re having fun. They’re keeping games close. And they’re succeeding when it counts. Harden put it best when he said, “Personally, I’m a V-neck guy.” Oh wait… sorry. Wrong quote.
He said, following a tough victory over the Timberwolves, “I’m so confident in this team. I don’t ever see us out of a game.”
With that attitude, we might as well get used to the Rockets. Because it looks like Harden, who’s only 27 years old, and the rest of the team have Houston whispering the word, dynasty.
