MAKING HIS POINT
James Harden’s official move to lead guard has been a boon for the Rockets star.
James Harden has been good — and at times great — since joining the Rockets four seasons ago.
He’s been the go-to guy on offense.
He’s been one who can take over a game, get the crowd riled up, hit a seems-to-be-impossible game-winning shot.
It made sense that the franchise put all its eggs in the Harden basket during the offseason and started building around the seven-year NBA veteran.
And when new coach Mike D’Antoni announced that Harden, who was technically playing at the two guard the last couple of seasons, would be the team’s point guard this season, it made sense.
Harden has been the primary ballhandler for some time now.
“Point guard” just seemed like a couple of words, a pat on the back. Turns out, it was a change of identity. A change that took Harden from being a skilled offensive player to one who is putting together his best season to date.
Harden is averaging 30.6 points and 13 assists per outing as the Rockets prepare to host San Antonio on Saturday and Philadelphia on Monday after returning home from a five-game road trip.
The Rockets’ win over Washington on Monday marked the fourth time this season Harden scored at least 30 points and dished at least 15 assists.
He is the first player in NBA history to do that in just seven games.
Steph Curry has done it five times in the past five seasons.
Chris Paul? Four times in the past five seasons.
League of his own
Harden is standing in a league of his own among other point guards this season.
Last season at this time, the talk about Harden had to do with whom he was dating, what he was wearing, and if he and his teammates were happy.
The talk about his play centered around questions as to whether he was out of shape, whether he was ready to play.
This season, the bearded one is all over social media again, and this time, people are breaking down his play and comparing him to Michael Jordan.
What a difference being a true point guard makes.
The moment the Rockets entrusted Harden with their fate and D’Antoni gave him control of the game in his new role, Harden has flown with it.
He looks smooth on the court, connected to his teammates. His vision of the floor is better than it ever has been.
Rather than bring the ball up the court and then automatically pass it off to someone else, Harden brings it up and makes the decision on what happens next.
In the Rockets’ open and free offense, it gives him more opportunities to pass, shoot or drive.
And so far, he is making a lot of good decisions.
If he keeps doing so, the sky is the limit for the point guard.
And if his teammates can follow their leader, the Rockets have a chance to greatly improve on last year’s 41-41 regular season.
Right now, Harden is scoring twice as much as Eric Gordon, who is the team’s second-leading scorer. Harden is averaging about 10 more assists per outing than Gordon, and Harden is second in rebounding per game.
More from supporting cast
As great as Harden has been — and he is playing as well as anyone — he will need some more help from his teammates if the Rockets are going to hit new highs this season.
All they need to do is follow his example.
Harden seemed different when he signed his contract extension, seemed more locked in when the season started, seemed to find a new level of focus in the preseason.
Everything he said about wanting to move on from last year, wanting to be better, to chase after lofty goals has been true so far this season.
If he stays on that track, the Toyota Center “M-V-P” chants might not be too far off.
And if the Rockets can rally around their point guard, the team will undoubtedly make strides this season. The Rockets’ James Harden has flourished so far as the team’s point guard, posting 30-point/15-assist outings in four of the season’s first eight games.