Mazzeo: James Harden is more than just numbers

James Harden’s numbers since becoming a member of the Nets are astounding. He’s averaging 25.5 factors, 11.4 assists and eight.7 rebounds with a taking pictures line of 56/42/85 and eight, rely ‘em, eight triple doubles in 23 video games. Regardless that the “Massive Three” has began solely six video games out of 37, they’re on observe for the most effective offensive score in NBA historical past!

In reality, ALL the punditry on him was improper. Dribble, dribble, dribble, they mentioned, suggesting there was no approach he and Kyrie Irving —and Kevin Durant, when wholesome— may share one basketball. They usually laughed when Harden responded to a query about what he dropped at the Nets, with this: “an elite participant, elite teammate, elite chief.”

As Mike Mazzeo, writing for Forbes Sports activities Cash, notes, he wasn’t mendacity about any of it, notably concerning the final two components of that reply.

He’s offered much-needed vocal management, unafraid to confront his teammates and name them out when essential.

Harden might have stop on Houston, however he’s clearly motivated by his critics in Brooklyn — displaying a willingness to place the crew first in pursuit of the championship that has eluded him throughout his future Corridor of Fame profession…

Harden’s presence has additionally offered a relaxing affect on Irving, league sources mentioned. The backcourt duo has gotten alongside very properly, which has been extraordinarily necessary with Durant out attributable to a left hamstring pressure.

And no, that wasn’t the best way he at all times acted in Houston, however now, whether or not chastened by the frustration he felt with the Rockets, or being free of being “The Man” in Brooklyn, he’s displayed MVP-level management.

Mazzeo quotes a league supply this fashion: “in Brooklyn, he’s not making it about himself. He’s been very humble and gracious, making performs for others. And he’s executed an outstanding job retaining himself in test.”

Others too. The very best instance was the Detroit recreation, a loss, that everybody factors to because the turning level of the season. In that recreation, DeAndre Jordan merely wasn’t getting it executed as John Schuhmann tweeted mid-game.

Not lengthy after, Harden was seen on the YES Community providing Jordan some, uh, recommendation.

As one among Mazzeo’s sources advised him…

“Any individual needed to say one thing. Joe Harris couldn’t say it. Kyrie Irving couldn’t say it. However James has been holding his teammates accountable. Sufficient was sufficient. DJ screwed up, and James let him understand it. It’s that mixture of brutal honesty, after which he’s acting at an MVP degree. There’s no comeback for that apart from to say, ‘You’re proper.’”

Harden injected his character and chatter into the locker room, Mazzeo argues, suggesting that his management is completely different, revered and wanted.

Extremely-respected veteran Jeff Inexperienced had beforehand been the one talking up when occasions acquired powerful. Durant will be blunt — and can be able to elevating his voice given his gravitas and resume — although he’s not generally known as a vocal chief, and infrequently feeds off of battle. Now, in Harden, there’s one other influential voice within the locker room.

It’s not a lot of an exaggeration to say that a minimum of till KD comes again, as Harden goes, so go the Nets. He’s, as Irving famous, the purpose guard. And a authentic candidate for the MVP … for every thing he’s dropped at Brooklyn.

“The final word purpose is to compete for a championship and win a championship,” Harden mentioned throughout All-Star weekend. “That’s one of many explanation why I needed to return to Brooklyn. I believe all people on this group feels the identical approach.”

And in the event that they don’t, he’ll remind them.