The Beard is back. After a disappointing start to the 2021-22 NBA season, James Harden broke out with an efficient triple-double of 18 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons to put the Brooklyn Nets back over .500. This came after a season-high 29-point effort on Friday.
Ever since Harden's subpar play in the season opener, critics framed him as the “poster boy” for the NBA's new rules on garnering fouls utilizing the body. His free-throw attempts were at an all-time low, and his field goal percentages were abysmal, as referee calls were often not going his way. As a player who is almost expected to score around 30 points per night, there were serious concerns on the guard's early statistics.
Yet after a slow beginning, the Nets superstar seems to be on the cusp of returning to his standard level of domination:
“Just the confidence and rhythm and all that is coming — I knew I was going to have a slow start.”
⁃James Harden on his finding his rhythm after a slow start to the season.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) November 1, 2021
“It’s getting there, I’m telling you … it’s getting real real good.”
⁃James Harden on his progress towards feeling like himself again.
— Ajayi Browne (@ajayibrowne) November 1, 2021
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Harden apparently expected to have a poor start to the season, due to previous injuries and the situation the team is currently in. Yet he believes he is almost at the level fans know him for: a lethal scoring machine. If the shooting guard continues to work on his game and overcomes certain obstacles, the Nets should once again be a top seed in the Eastern Conference.
As Harden's previous track record displays his true ability to score and handle the ball, the primary concern should be the team's ability to play together in the absence of Kyrie Irving. The Beard will need to prove his ability of distributing the basketball, playing through fouls, and scoring efficiently to win the hearts of basketball critics around the world.
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