Houston Rockets All-Star guard James Harden is continuing one of the most impressive offensive stretches NBA history has ever seen. Harden, who is the reigning MVP, scored 37 points in Monday’s 121-93 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and brought his streak of games in which he had 30 points or more to 20. The interesting thing is that the 29-year-old scored all of his points against the 76ers in the first three quarters, before sitting out the fourth one.
The last time James Harden was under 30 was on December 11th against the Portland Trail Blazers, but even then he came close, managing to get 29 points.
The only player besides Harden who has managed to get 30 or more in 20 games is Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain.
“Wilt was doing some obviously unbelievable things and numbers that nobody will ever catch,” – said Harden after the game. “Just to be in the same conversation as those guys is just credit to the work I put in. That’s what you play this game for, to be listed with those guys, those top players. Obviously, I got a long way to go, but this is a pretty cool beginning.”
Rockets’ coach Mike D’Antoni thinks Harden can keep up with this level of play in the coming weeks as well.
“I mean, he’s incredible, he really is,” – said D’Antoni. “I can’t tell you, I’ve run out of words … my vocabulary’s not that extensive. I think if the game would’ve been close, he would’ve had 50 or 60 tonight. And that’s just how he is. He’s incredible … I don’t see any end in sight.”
James Harden is an MVP candidate this season as well, helping Houston Rockets to stay competitive with his offensive magic after the team lost their several key players. Harden is currently averaging 35.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.
