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The Brooklyn Nets have gotten off to a sizzling begin this season, as they sit atop the Japanese Convention with a 15-6 report. However whereas they haven’t had one in all their key Large Three members in any respect in Kyrie Irving, one other in James Harden hasn’t performed too nicely this yr.
Actually, Harden not too long ago tried explaining his struggles, however NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal didn’t purchase his feedback. Shaq thought they had been simply an excuse.
James Harden has struggled to this point this season
All through his NBA profession, James Harden has confirmed to be one of many biggest scorers of his technology, even main the NBA in factors per sport in three straight seasons from 2017-18 by means of 2019-20.
Nonetheless, after his numbers (naturally) took successful final yr when he joined Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the Nets, they’ve dropped much more to this point this yr.
By 21 video games, Harden is averaging 21.0 factors, his lowest since 2011-12, to go along with 9.3 assists and eight.0 rebounds. His 41.6% capturing share can be the second-worst of his profession, solely behind his rookie season with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
This previous weekend, the Arizona State product scored simply 12 factors on 4-of-15 capturing in opposition to the Phoenix Suns. And after the sport, he defined why his play hasn’t been as much as par.
“Truthfully, I’m attempting to determine all that out proper now,” he mentioned, per CBS Sports. “I’m attempting to determine it out. I’m attempting to determine when to attain, when to be a playmaker, when to run the offense, when to do some little bit of all the pieces.”
Some could have sympathy for Harden, given how tough it may be to play with one other famous person. However Shaq didn’t wish to hear about it.
Shaquille O’Neal shut down The Beard’s feedback
Shaquille O’Neal and his Contained in the NBA co-stars mentioned Harden’s feedback earlier than the Nets’ current sport in opposition to the New York Knicks. And whereas Shaq’s colleague Charles Barkley had plenty to say, O’Neal additionally directed feedback Harden’s means.
“Whenever you’re part of a one-two punch, it’s a must to know your position,” O’Neal mentioned on the Nov. 30 episode. “Clearly, KD is the principle choice, however KD can’t shoot all of the pictures. So, once more, once you’re the No. 2 choice, you continue to wish to be aggressive; you continue to wish to do what you do. That sounds extra of an excuse to me. He’s been enjoying lengthy sufficient to say, ‘OK, I’m going to get KD off. Alright, KD missed a pair, or he’s drained. Let me get off.’ That proper there feels like a little bit little bit of an excuse to me as a result of, once more, he’s been within the league lengthy sufficient to know when, how, and the place to get it from.”
Shaq made a superb level. Harden ought to perceive his position much more this season with Kyrie Irving not enjoying.
However no matter the reason being for his struggles, the nine-time All-Star went off within the workforce’s most up-to-date win.
James Harden acquired again on monitor within the Nets’ win over the Knicks
Possibly simply possibly, James Harden has lastly figured issues out.
The 2017-18 NBA MVP seemed like his outdated self within the workforce’s Nov. 30 win over the New York Knicks.
Harden dropped 34 factors to go along with 10 rebounds, eight assists, and three steals. He additionally shot 55% from the sector, his third-best capturing efficiency of the season.
All in all, the Nets want Harden to play like that in the event that they wish to win a championship. Durant has had an unimaginable season to this point and is within the operating for MVP. However final yr’s postseason confirmed that he can’t do all of it by himself. He wants assist, and if Harden can play like the person who dominated on the Houston Rockets for almost a decade, it is going to be arduous for anybody to defeat Brooklyn.
Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference
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