{"id":37788,"date":"2021-03-03T12:52:06","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T17:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=37788"},"modified":"2021-03-23T18:40:59","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T22:40:59","slug":"james-harden-on-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2021\/03\/03\/james-harden-on-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"James Harden Is Hard To Stop Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Brooklyn Nets<\/a> have been playing unbelievable basketball as of late. After their win against the scrappy San Antonio Spurs<\/a>, the Nets had won nine out of ten games<\/a> (nine without Kevin Durant<\/a><\/strong>) by approximately 10 points. Along the way, they have beaten the Indiana Pacers<\/a>, Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>, Phoenix Suns<\/a>, and Los Angeles Clippers<\/a>–all deep-playoff aspiring teams. The most essential cog of this success is not Kyrie Irving<\/a><\/strong> who has gone nuclear for 40 points during this stretch, but James Harden<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Best Player Right now Could be James Harden
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James Harden has been incredible averaging 27.3 points per game, 10.6 assists per game, and 9.6 rebounds per game. He has been able to facilitate and find wide open shooters with this elite fakes and driving ability. When the Nets need crucial scoring, Harden meticulously picks his spots, whether that is a 3-pointer or beating his player off the dribble to get to the basket. After being awarded the Eastern Conference\u00a0Player of the Month Award<\/a>, it\u00a0<\/span>begs the question: is James Harden playing his best basketball yet?<\/span><\/p>\n

Let’s take a look.<\/span><\/p>\n

A More Efficient James Harden
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Unlike when he was a member of the Houston Rockets<\/a>, Harden\u2019s shot attempts have declined. This is in part to playing with masterful scorers, Kyrie and KD, but it hasn\u2019t tampered with his efficiency. <\/span>During the last ten games, The Beard shot 49.1% overall, which is incredible for a high-volume guard, and 45.9% from deep, which is higher than his season and career averages, 38.4% and 36.4%, respectively. All these percentages come on almost four fewer shot attempts. There was a question of who would need to sacrifice their number of attempts and it seems Harden, who is also the primary point guard, has gladly relinquished his number of shots.<\/span><\/p>\n

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James Harden Over 4.5 3s in a Nets Win (5\/1)? \u2705 \ud83d\udcb0<\/p>\n

Kyrie Irving also went crazy, scoring 40 in Brooklyn's 136-125 victory over Sacramento (+4.5). \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/NgOObrq16g<\/a><\/p>\n

— FOX Bet Sportsbook (@FOXBet) February 16, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n