In star-studded week, Jonathan Isaac puts James Harden atop list

Jonathan Isaac faced Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and James Harden this week and says Houston’s star was the hardest.

Over a five-day period this week, the Orlando Magic have faced three consecutive NBA heavyweights.

In the first two games, the Magic (11-14) lost by single digits to both the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

On Friday, however, they were crushed at home by the Houston Rockets (17-8) in a 23-point loss, headlined by 54 points from James Harden.

When asked postgame to compare the opponents and probable 2019-20 NBA season Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidates, Magic defensive ace Jonathan Isaac seemed to put Harden at the top of the list.

Isaac’s comments on Harden, compared to the others:

I would say he’s the toughest so far, with the way that he’s able to get everybody else involved on top of him having a great shooting night.

Even after giving up 130 points to the Rockets, Orlando still allows the second-fewest points of any NBA team. Isaac, in particular, is an athletic menace at 6-foot-10 with good instincts — giving him plenty of standing to make such an evaluation.

In Friday’s blowout, Harden scored 54 points against the Magic and became the first player in NBA history to score 50+ points with 10+ made three-pointers in consecutive games. But on top of his scoring binge, the former MVP also led the Rockets in assists with seven. That helped the Rockets connect on 22-of-39 three-point attempts (56.4%) as a team.

Isaac was far from alone in his postgame praise of Harden. Courtesy of Orlando’s official team website, here’s a sampling of what other Magic players and coaches had to say regarding Harden’s big night.

Evan Fournier, on Harden:

When a guy has 54 on you, it’s almost like embarrassing because you want to give it your all, but he’s just that great. And the fact that he does it every night is really impressive. I think he had 55 last game, and this was pretty much the same game. He’s just different and give him credit.

You know, I feel like we lost against just him tonight. He’s the MVP for a reason. We talked about it pregame that you have to contest shots and just live with the results, but he did not miss tonight, period. He’s incredible and give him credit.

Magic coach Steve Clifford, on Harden:

Listen, Evan guarded him in a similar manner to what he did last year, and both times we played him last year we defended him well, We actually went quicker this year to double him than we did last year. You’ve got to try and keep him off balance. Last year, they were playing more pick-and-roll, but tonight they just [isolated]. That’s a different world. In [isolation], he’s so good. He’s looking at the guy coming at him, and he’s got such good feel and vision. It’s just hard.

Tonight, it was just iso, which is the hardest thing [to defend]. You’ve got a great player in the middle of the floor with more room to cover… and then when he starts making… it’s just really tough.

Fortunately for the Magic, they won’t see Harden and the Rockets again until a return visit to Houston on Sunday, March 8.

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