Harden is averaging scoring or assisting on 57.0 points per game this season. The NBA record over a full season is 56.8 by Tiny Archibald I think that is a crazy stat that shouldn't go overlooked. They didn't keep turnover stats the year Archibald averaged that but that is impressive. Sure his late game turnovers were bad but you can live with it when he is basically creating plays while deconstructing the other team's defense. That is what sets him apart. Slowing breaking down defenders and either going to the basket or forcing the defense to close in on him and kicking it out for open threes. It would have been a blowout had Gordon or Anderson shot 40% behind the arc. Gordon made up for by stopping the three and driving though. But when they are playing bad we have players like Montrezl that step up. Thanks to Harden. I couldn't find anyone from the 2nd round besides Norman Powell to put up more than 2 25+ pt games.
And note...Archibald played a whopping 46.0 mpg that year. So, per 48...Archibald would only be like 59 ppg vs Harden's 82
Harden is playing 36.6 mpg right now. Archibald's per 36 minutes stats are 26.6 and 8.9. Give Tiny a 3 pointer for every assist and he's at 53.3 for that number. Say what you will, but Harden is doing something no one has ever done.
Give Tiny a 3 for every assist and he's still only at like 71 ppg. I like this one: Harden has 11 triple doubles this year on 40 games. The Big O had 41 in one season, Wilt had 31, then Big O had 26 twice. Harden is on pace to have the 5th most. [Westbrook is on pace to have 36 which would mean he surpasses the great Wilt Chamberlain]
It's an interesting case for Harden. Harden's assists are technically more efficient because they either go to rollers in the paint or 3 point shooters. However, without the more accurate but less efficient middle option (mid range shot) and a dominant low post scorer, Harden's passes would likely also have a lower conversion rate. Although on the same note, those that do convert would lead to more points simply because they are 3s. I do wonder how Harden would look if he played with a big man that is not only willing to run the PnR with him but also possesses a reliable post game. I would not be surprised if his assist numbers went up to around the 14-15 range per game.
I think Harden's drive is way more reliable then his jump shot, so I disagree with what GP is saying to an extent. You crash in the paint on Harden he's either finishing, drawing a foul or dishing for an assist. He makes a killing off of 3 point shots and layups, you have to force him into taking mid range shots, which is hard to do since he's not iterested in taking too many.
Agreed. Man, KG is not the most fluent in getting his point across. Surely there's another retired player who'd be much more suited to this.
This crazy talk. Yao in this NBA would be totally useless. With all the stretch 4's and 5's who would he even be guarding on defense. We saw how badly he was exposed by Okur and Boozer. Imagine that warriors team looking at Yao. They would put up 400 pts.
