In an interview known most for his apparent verbal jab at reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Houston Rockets star James Harden is also making headlines for declaring himself as the NBA’s best player.
That’s nothing new or surprising, of course. Confidence comes with the territory of being among the league’s elite, and Harden has led the NBA in scoring for three straight seasons. Earlier this year, retired legend Dwyane Wade referred to Harden as one of the “greatest ever.”
But what’s new in Harden’s latest interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols is the explanation. Though Harden doesn’t rank at the top of most MVP lists this season by media members, he says he has respect where it matters most — in the form of game plans by opposing coaches.
Harden explains:
I feel like I’m the best player. Throughout the course of the year, I don’t see double-teams of anybody else. Maybe Dame [Lillard] when he’s going on an amazing stretch, but usually you see a double team after you have a 50-point night or a 60-point night. If I have an 18-point night, the next night I’m seeing a double team, which is pretty cool.
The NBA’s never seen it before at halfcourt, so I’m just trying to figure out ways to be great in that. But you don’t see another player that’s getting double-teamed. It’s totally different than any other player in this league, or probably that’s ever been.
https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1233485279136288770
Harden also said he was very confident in his ability to lead the Rockets to the 2020 NBA championship, just as he did in November.
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One positive sign of late for Harden is that the double teams are becoming harder to execute, now that Houston’s permanent switch to a smaller lineup has provided additional floor spacing and driving lanes.
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In his last three games — all Houston victories by double digits — Harden is averaging 35.0 points per game on incredible efficiency, shooting 56.3% from the field and 50.0% on 3-pointers. He’s also tallied 6.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game during that run.
Regarding the smaller lineup, Harden said:
It gives us more spacing to get to the rim and create opportunities for our teammates.
Granted, Clint [Capela] was great for us these last few years. I’m proud of him, the way he grew as a player and as a person. Now he has another opportunity in Atlanta. But it’s more spacing, and it’s more opportunities for our guards to drive and be able to attack the rim, and then we get shooters. So, it’s pretty cool.
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Led by Harden, the Rockets (38-20) have won five consecutive games and eight of their last 10 overall. They return to action Saturday night at Boston (41-17), with tip-off from TD Garden scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Central. The game will be televised nationally on ABC.
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