Can Anyone Stop James Harden?

Last night was good for the Houston Rockets, but historic for James Harden.

The Beard became the first player in the NBA history with at least 35 points, and five rebounds and assists in eight straight games, surpassing Oscar Robertson’s previous record.

He posted a triple-double against the Memphis Grizzlies, concluding 2018 in the best possible way.

Harden scored 43 points, had 13 assists and 10 rebounds. But this isn’t everything. The game against the franchise from Tennessee was his 10th in a row with 30+ points, and fourth consecutive with 40+ points.

Since Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Harden became the first guy who dropped more than 400 points in the span of 10 matches. At the moment, Beard stands at 408. It is why Austin Rivers, who landed in Texas a couple of days ago thinks that Harden is the biggest favorite to win the MVP title for the second year in a row.

🚀 @JHarden13 goes off for 43 PTS, 13 AST, 10 REB in the @HoustonRockets win, recording his 4th straight game with 40+ points! #Rockets

Harden joins Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as the only players in the last 30 seasons to score 400+ points in a 10-game span. pic.twitter.com/c3d7QHHuct

— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2019

“Nobody in the league can do what he’s doing right now. He’s winning back-to-back MVPs. It’s incredible.” Rivers told the media.

His Rockets ended the season with 10-1 record, losing only to Miami Heat in Florida on Dec. 21, 101-99

During this superb run, Houston climbed up all the way to place No.5 in the West, after being far away from the playoff spot some 6 weeks ago. They are currently behind the Denver Nuggets and the top seed in the Western Conference only three games. When comparing this and the situation from let’s say a month ago, the gap is dramatically decreased.

Harden’s numbers throughout this interval were truly impressive, 39.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 2.1 steals.

“I don’t know how you get any better than what he’s playing,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said, praising Harden’s contribution on the defensive side of the floor saying that the Beard creates a huge pressure on opponent’s guards.

Houston Rockets’ superstar said that his game is “probably” the best ever, and his explanation for that was very precise and short.

“I’m just being aggressive, man. I’m just in attack mode.”

What casts a bit of shadow on his performances are the free throws and the number of fouls called upon his guards.

For example, he was sent to the line 27 times against the Grizzlies. Two nights before that against the New Orleans 14 time, versus Boston 17.

The number of games in which he had 10 or more free throws already reached up to 15.

LeBron James and his Lakers openly talked about the protection Harden gets from the officials, pointing that the problems are always emerging when Houston plays, rarely against some other teams. Other Lakers players were even more direct. Like, Kyle Kuzma for example who stated that Harden couldn’t be touched without getting a foul.

Harden is the reigning MVP and he should get some protection no doubt about it, but there were some hilarious calls by the referees in his case. Or, in some situations, there aren’t when they should be.

Like in the game against Utah, when the whole world saw his double step-back.

.@isaiahthomas had something to say about the Harden step-back video 🤣 pic.twitter.com/lqjEtxmMJk

— ESPN (@espn) December 18, 2018

Still, this isn’t something which should diminish Harden’s achievements. Even without this so-called “help” the Beard would be amazing. Just a few people in the league have his killer instinct and creativity in one package. No matter whether he plays the point or a shooting guard, he will always find a way for his team to score.

A relationship built between Harden and Capela already made one unstoppable duo, which has a title potential, when Chris Paul gets back. We saw that last year in the Western Conference finals.

Regardless of what happens next, Harden’s games will always cause a reaction, positive or negative, but that is proof that he is a big player.

Those kinds of guys will never leave you standing neutral.