Entering Wednesday, Houston Rockets superstar guard James Harden had registered 691 isolation plays, which is more than any other team’s full roster has combined, according to Chris Herring of Five Thirty Eight.
Harden currently leads the NBA in scoring, as the reigning MVP is averaging 34.8 points per game. The Beard does most of his damage on isolation plays.
But Harden’s craziest offensive number, and perhaps the one that’s most concerning, is his 691 direct isolation plays (a 1-on-1 play that ends with a shot, turnover or foul). That’s more than any other NBA team has had so far this season.
Once more for emphasis: According to stat-tracking database Second Spectrum, Harden all by himself has gone 1-on-1 more than any team’s full roster, combined, has.
With Rockets All-Star point guard Chris Paul still out of the lineup with the hamstring injury he suffered against the Miami Heat on Dec. 20, Harden has had to carry Houston's offense on his broad shoulders. He's delivering big time.
The Rockets entered Wednesday with a record of 25-18. They are 9-3 since Paul was sidelined, and Harden is averaging a staggering 41.9 points during that stretch. It might not be pretty to watch since Harden is just playing one-one-one basketball most of the night, but the results and numbers are astounding.
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