It’s all business as usual. That’s always been James Harden.
Barely two days as a Brooklyn Net, look what Harden’s done.
He didn’t only help Kevin Durant power the Brooklyn Nets to a 122-115 victory over the Orlando Magic in New York. He did things almost impossible to achieve; Like dishing off a triple-double.
Rare is a player that can do that while debuting in his brand-new team.
Who needs jelling?
Harden’s initial success is like seeing a greenhorn earning a million bucks in his first crack at the stocks. Beginner’s luck?
But here’s a quick revisit again of Harden’s debut at Brooklyn.
This was on Saturday. And Harden had just suited up for the Nets on Thursday.
Then he comes up with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists. If LeBron James didn’t applaud, he’d be a poor sport.
“Incredible,” said Durant of Harden.
I’d say the same. And more.
Harden, the bearded one, has this gift to perform well if he decides to.
He does not need coaxing actually. The truth is, his coach is a mere decoration. Like the Marines’ mantra of “Call the Marines” for a delicate, almost impossible mission, Harden almost always accomplishes the task with flourish even.
“It was incredible,” said Durant of Harden’s first game as a Net. “You could see him trying to figure out the best way to play early on.”
With Harden around, Brooklyn had no need for Kyrie Irving, who missed his sixth straight game due to personal reasons and health and safety protocols amid the pandemic.
Harden took over Irving’s point-guard chores and Brooklyn played in near-flawless fashion.
“I felt we all were overpassing, trying to make everybody comfortable,” said Durant. “Then he (Harden) got into his mode... handling the ball... being a pass-first guard... trying to get his guys good looks...that opened up the whole game for all of us.”
In 40 minutes, Harden, the NBA’s 2018 MVP, also added four steals and made 13-of-15 free throws as Brooklyn won its third straight win.
At Brooklyn, Harden—declining lucrative offers to stay on at Houston to get reunited with Durant, his former Oklahoma teammate—has certainly found a new home.
Great athletes are like that. They perform best at places they could roost on.