.443 FG%, .857 FT%, 34.0 PTS, 2.7 3PM, 7.0 REB, 7.3 AST, 2.7 STL, 1.0 BLK, 3.3 TO, 2.7 PF
James Harden had a great week. Back spasms put Harden's status in question for Wednesday's game but he powered through it, putting up 34pts on the Golden State Warriors. The next night he went and scored 44 on the Kings (2 shy of his career high). To top off the week he got his third career triple double in a win over the Nuggets.
"The Beard" is now leading the Rockets team in Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, and Blocks.Total: 581 points, 137 rebounds, 143 assists, 45 steals, 24 blocks, all the highest of his team. Per game: Leading the team in points, assists and steals. Second in rebounds and blocks per game, behind Dwight Howard who only played 10 games so far.
This has only been done three times for an entire season. Scottie Pippen the first year of Jordan's first retirement, LeBron James on the 66 win Cleveland, and Kevin Garnett on one of those Wolves teams.
Harden is still one of the most prolific offensive players in the NBA but his offensive game is actually a bit off this year. His efficiency is markedly down as he’s increased his usage rate with Howard out and scored the most points per game, 26.3, in the league.
Instead, the Houston guard actually seems to be playing defence well for the first time in his career. Harden’s always had the size, quickness and intelligence to be an elite defender. He just never seemed to care. Apparently all the years of derision toward that aspect of his game finally got to him.
Harden is hounding players these days, averaging two steals and a block per game.
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