It seems that James Harden has been misunderstood by fans and the media all along, and he is actually a very strong player. According to statistics from the NBA's merger, Harden tops the list with 102 points and 10 assists in a single game.
This achievement even surpassed LeBron James's 100 and Russell Westbrook's 84, proving Harden's excellence in scoring and assists.
Harden
Harden's continued influence
Not only that, but Harden is also ahead of young players like Luka Doncic (78) and Trae Young (77), showing his continued influence in a new era of basketball. Even Magic Johnson, who is hailed as legendary, had only 55 such performances, compared to 53 for Damian Lillard, Allen Iverson, Isaiah Thomas and 41 for Chris Paul.
The stats of many well-known balls have been pressed at Harden's feet, which is enough to prove Harden's scoring ability.
Does Doncic have a chance to surpass Harden in the future?
Comprehensive competence
These stats undoubtedly prove James Harden's important place in NBA history and his all-round ability. Not only is he able to put in a great performance in scoring, but he can also help his teammates score with assists, and he is truly well-rounded. For those who question Harden, the numbers are undoubtedly the most powerful response.
It's unlikely that James will overtake Harden
Other great players
LeBron James is second with 100 times, and his greatness needs no more to say. Russell Westbrook is third with 84 times, and his explosiveness and versatility are equally impressive. Luka Doncic and Trae Young followed with 78 and 77, respectively, showing the rise of a new generation of players. Magic Johnson's 55 times, Damian Lillard's 53 times, Allen Iverson's 47 times, Isaiah Thomas's 43 times, and Chris Paul's 41 times are all great achievements in basketball history that cannot be ignored.
Iverson also had only 47 times
The playoff performance wasn't a mess
Not only did James Harden excel in the regular season, but his performance in the playoffs was just as impressive. His scoring ability and playmaking skills have allowed him to step up and lead his team to victory when it matters most. Harden's defense is also often underrated, and his on-court versatility and basketball IQ make him a difficult player for opponents to deal with.
Poor performance in key moments of the playoffs
However, James Harden's poor performance in key moments of the playoffs is also a fact that cannot be ignored. His shooting percentage in key games tends to drop, turnovers increase, and he can't maintain an efficient regular season performance under pressure. This situation caused the team to lose its advantage at key moments and fail to achieve better results in the playoffs.
Harden didn't have a good playoff season
What does the future hold for Harden
Despite his poor performance in key playoff moments, James Harden remains one of the most influential players in NBA history. His performances in both the regular season and the playoffs have proven his quality and worth. In the future, Harden still has a chance to change the perception of him in the playoffs and lead the team to greater success by constantly improving his performance. Regardless, Harden's basketball career has been filled with brilliance and accomplishments, and his name will forever be etched in the history of the NBA.
Statistics