James Harden continues etching his name in the NBA record books. The Houston Rockets superstar went off again on Saturday, dropping 50 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in his team's 119-111 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The performance marked the fifth 50-point triple-double of Harden's career, more than any other player in league history.
He's done it again….
James Harden goes for 50 points in a triple-double against the Kings.
It's his 5th career 50-point triple-double, the most of any player in NBA history.
Harden now has 18 career 50-point games, breaking a tie with Elgin Baylor for 4th-most all-time. pic.twitter.com/TWcKzHAyZE
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 31, 2019
The scariest part about that statistic? All but one of Harden's 50-point triple-doubles have come in the last two seasons. Still only 29, just imagine how many more such games he could put together before his prime comes to a close.
Unfortunately for Harden, he's put up such mind-blowing numbers throughout 2018-19 and in general over the past three years that performances like this almost seem normal. Likewise, there's a chance his back-to-back outings of 57 and 61 points last week barely registered as more than a blip in the minds of MVP voters.
In reality, shouldn't players receive an extra amount of credit for making the seemingly impossible appear something close to routine?
But Harden, like all historic greats eventually do, has spoiled the NBA world with his prodigious production both throughout 2018-19 and over the past few seasons. Whether or not that makes a difference in the minds of MVP voters remains to be seen.
Either way, Harden has certainly made a convincing case, and probably isn't done doing so. Houston, after all, wants to avoid a potential second-round matchup with the Golden State Warriors, poised to break a tie with the Denver Nuggets for the top seed in the Western Conference by season's end due to a favorable remaining schedule. The Rockets, 49-28, are only a half game up on the Portland Trail Blazers for third.
What will Harden do down the stretch to ensure his team its best chance of winning a title? Stay tuned.
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