Beard goals. #Rockets50 pic.twitter.com/k2MM4dPhD9
— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2017
James Harden is feeling himself, and the rest of the NBA better watch out.
While Russell Westbrook has been the triple-double story of 2016, the Rockets point guard bolstered his MVP case on Saturday night with a 53-point, 17-assist, 16-rebound triple-double. Harden set a career-high in points and tied his career best in assists as the Rockets beat the Knicks, 129-122.
According to Elias, Harden finished 2016 by becoming the first player with 50 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in a game.
Harden had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists at the break. It’s not as impressive as Westbrook’s triple-double in 23:26 of game time, but it’s up there. It’s also his second triple-double on back-to-back nights, an impressive statement in and of itself.
He also found some time to dance.
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/815376962180902912
Harden has said in the past he thinks he’s the best player in the NBA. It’s a strong statement in a league with first-name players like “Steph” and “LeBron” and “Russ.”
Talk basketball among friends and say “James,” and Harden isn’t even the first person you think of. But the numbers — and the results — are starting to back Harden up.
Who knows how the rest of the season will shake out, but we do know Harden won’t get a triple-double on New Year’s Day. The Rockets are off. Although with the way he’s playing lately, we wouldn’t blink if he managed to score 30 points against Baby New Year somehow.
