James Harden has returned from his bout with COVID-19, as he was cleared from protocols ahead of the Brooklyn Nets' headline game versus LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas.
Harden has played very well this season, but not up to his own lofty Hall-of-Fame standards.
A combination of factors have slowed the 2018 MVP down thus far. The Grade 2 hamstring injury he dealt with last season cost the ASU product an offseason's worth of practice. New rule changes geared towards limiting non-basketball moves have impacted his game more than most player's. And he has been asked to play more of a facilitator's role than he has in years past.
So will Kyrie Irving's return help him or make things even more difficult?
“I think [Irving's return] helps James,” Steve Nash shared. “Having another player out there to draw attention, to create space, to take pressure off of [Harden] , another ball-handler, another penetrator.”
Harden is averaging 20.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game. The points per game are the lowest per 36 minutes the former three-time scoring champion has averaged since 2012, his last full season in Oklahoma City. On Valentine's Day a season ago, it was actually Irving of all people who suggested Harden run the point for the Nets.
“You’re the point guard. I’m the shooting guard.”
– Kyrie to James Harden
(via @Krisplashed) pic.twitter.com/3YyNloCMar
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 14, 2021
So to Steve Nash's point, perhaps that will be the case when Kyrie Irving returns. We only saw the big three active for eight regular season games a year ago. But maybe Irving as a floor spacer will occupy the defense just a little bit more than Bruce Brown or James Johnson have so far… no offense to those role players but Kyrie is on another level.
Five years ago, Kyrie Irving called game on Christmas in this NBA Finals rematch 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Qg5qUULbSY
— ESPN (@espn) December 25, 2021
“You know lots thrown on James' shoulders 'cause he's one of the few guys on the team that really penetrates, and gets in the paint,” the Nets coach added. “So Kyrie can help not only create space, make plays, take the burden off James but also share in that responsibility.”
With Irving only eligible to play for road games, James Harden won't always have that benefit. And we imagine Nash will rest Harden on some nights when he has Irving and Kevin Durant in the lineup–a luxury he has not yet been able to deploy much so far. Harden and KD are both in the top five overall in minutes played per game so far this season. That's part of the concern which prompted them to call up Irving for his controversial return.
“[Harden has] adapted pretty well to the pressure of being our kind of one guy that really penetrates the basketball constantly,” said Nash. “But at the same time Kyrie can help him in that respect 'cause obviously he's an incredible player when it comes to getting to his spot, getting wherever he wants to go. So we're excited to be able to incorporate Kyrie to our group.”
Nash is not alone. Irving is one of the most electric, show-stopping ball handlers in league history. There should be a lot more highlights coming soon, and we imagine some of them will be Harden's, benefiting from Irving's mere presence as much as anyone else.
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