I noticed something interesting... It's only been done 13 times in NBA history. 11 of those times it was done by White players.
I could see the 40-90 part. Getting over 50% on his overall field goal percentage would surprise me, though I do think he can creep up to the high 40s and make it close.
I love his thinking. From the article, "I'm looking forward to playing off the ball," If Harden embraces this mentality and Lawson is successful being the creator much of the time when Harden is on the floor, the Rockets offense will go to another level. His first two years at OKC when he came off the bench with Eric Maynor and Nick Collison, Harden was dynamic off the ball. Both those guys had a great chemistry with him and Harden lived off backdoor cuts and jumpshooting opportunities. When Maynor's knee blew up, he immediately morphed into ISO Harden because he didn't trust any other reserve guard with the ball (couldn't blame him either).
If he can get his 3 pt percentage close to 40, then he will be unstoppable the way he plays. Opponents are hoping he takes jumpshots. If he is making them at a 40 percent clip then they might as well give up.
It will be tough for him on FG% It's actually only been done 10 times. Calderon and Kerr did not qualify for the FT leader board. I don't know who your 13th time is, probably someone who didn't even have enough minutes played. Sorry guys, but you have to qualify on pts, 3PA and FTA to land in this exclusive club. It's Nash (4x) Bird (2x) Reggie Price Nowitzki Durant
I think I would disagree with that notion. Anyone who shoots free throws as well as he does is a very good to even great shooter. It's the type of shots he's been asked to take that is hurting his numbers. He's a damn good isolation player, possibly the best in the league, but those shots are still more difficult than a wide open set shot off a pass. His career best on his triple slash(picking the best from different years) is 49.1/39.0/86.8 and those numbers would suggest he's a damn good shooter. I believe he has the shooting ability to get the 50/40/90 done, but I don't think it's realistic with the role he has in our offense.
He has shot 49/39 before, but that was in OKC with much less defensive focus on him. He shoots an immense volume of 3's, so he's gonna have to get his 3 pt% up over 41% to reach 50% from the field. I think 90% from FT is gonna be tough as well, he has never come close to that.
Forget the shooting from the field. A jump from 87% to 90% from the free throw line is tough for someone who shoots that volume of free throws. He hasn't made any of the percentages individually by themselves so far. To put it all (50-40-90) together in one season is nigh on impossible 50-40-90 is reserved for elite shooters and James Harden is not an elite shooter He is elite in other parts of the game. It's ok to accept that.
Don't think so, just not a good enough shooter. His highest FG% (surprisingly) was .491... next best .456 He's never shot higher than .868 FT and .390 3PT... next best 3PT was .375 In short, he's never eclipsed one of the requirements. His "2nd bests" aren't very consistent with his "best" either. Not achieving 50/40/90 is NOT a knock on Harden. It's a truly rare and special feat.
Not surprising because 9.5btimes out of 10 theyre below the rim players. Moorish American aka African American players are more above the rim and have other interests. Nothing they couldnt accomplish if setting their minds to it like Harden is doing. Btw Harden can play above the rim but is moreso a below the rim guy.
