Mike D'Antoni on James Harden's numbers: 'I was hoping for like 60 and 20'

James Harden has lofty expectations placed on his shoulders, but none more than what his coach had in mind.

James Harden has been the one to carry the torch for the Houston Rockets this season — if by carrying the torch means absolutely incinerating every defender that gets between him and the bucket.

The seventh year guard out of Arizona State has put up ridiculous numbers, even by his high standards, averaging 31.8 points, 12.4 assists, and seven rebounds per game — netting 15 or more assists in three of five games in the young season.

“I was hoping for like 60 and 20. I’m only getting about 40 and 15. He’s a little underperforming right now,” head coach Mike D’Antoni joked to FanSided's Jared Dubin, making light humor of the eye-popping numbers Harden has been putting up so far. “The good thing about him is he sees the game as a point guard. He understands where he wants players and he does a terrific job. His efficiency is — sometimes as a coach you look and go, ‘Man, maybe I should come up with some novel idea instead of just letting him go down the middle every time.’ And then his numbers are off the charts.”

While the numbers are indeed impressive, it's only resulted in a 3-2 record for the Rockets, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the season-opener and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Harden put up a career-high 17 assists (14 in the first half) during the season-opener, shocking fans who didn't think he could perform as an elite point guard. The bearded one has always boasted of a very high usage rate, but even more so in D'Antoni's fast-paced offense that thrives on transition offense and open shots.

“Normally, they would just bring it up, move it two times, then give it to him, then let him [initiate the offense]. And after he’s struggled to get the ball or had to wrestle to get the ball,” D’Antoni said. “We’re just trying to make it easier for him. Why camouflage it? You know that’s where it’s going. You know he has to make plays. So why not do it?”

“And it gives him a sense, also, of purpose for the team that he understands: to get everybody involved to a certain degree without losing his identity.”