Houston Rockets: James Harden Soaring Toward The MVP Award
By jasaad
We’re just over a week into the new NBA season, and the Houston Rockets are off to a sizzling start. Sure, they’ve faced against some of the league’s weakest teams, but the Rockets’ undefeated record thus far is reportedly record breaking.
Houston is just the second team in NBA history to start a season with five straight wins by more than 10 points. Other is 1985-86 Nuggets.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) November 5, 2014
A key cog in Houston’s initiatory step toward success is James Harden, who exhibited several MVP-worthy performances during Houston’s five straight wins. Up to this point, he’s managed an impressive stat line of 27.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, and he’s become the first player this season to eclipse 30 or more points on multiple occasions.
James Harden is the 1st player with multiple 30-point games this season.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 4, 2014
However, much like his beguiling game on the court, Harden’s numbers shouldn’t be taken for face value. Rather than through purely scoring, the bulk of Harden’s points are typically predicated on his inclination to slither through the lane while he flails his arms and snaps his head back in order to bait the referee into blowing the whistle.
On Monday against the 76ers, Harden attempted as many shots from the charity stripe as he did from the field (18). He connected on 17 of his foul shots, while only converting on seven of his field goals. Harden shot just five fewer free throws than Philadelphia’s team as a whole, which elicited a festively jovial remark from coach Brett Brown.
Brett Brown: "I was thrilled that we, as a team, shot more free throws, than James [Harden]." #sixers
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) November 4, 2014
Harden’s free throw shooting rate is seemingly unparalleled. Throughout his first five games this season, the Beard has made 31 field goals and 61 free throws. In fact, Harden has struggled to score on shots that don’t originate from the charity stripe, as he’s shot a woeful 38 percent from the field. Nonetheless, his combination of volume and efficiency from the free throw line negates his poor shooting percentage, as he is still generating a lofty 117.5 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA.com/Stats.
Harden: 51/54 FTs (94.4%) thru 4 GP. No other player in shot-clock era has hit 50+ FTs in team's 1st 4 GP, while hitting as high a % (ELIAS)
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) November 4, 2014
Needless to say, free throws are significantly more efficient than shot attempts from the field, and Harden’s effective free throw shooting in addition to his playmaking ability has helped lead the Rockets to their strong start. Houston currently has the third best overall efficiency as well as a plus-15.2 net rating.
Should Harden’s proficiency on offense hold up and the Rockets sustain their winning ways, then acquiring the MVP award isn’t out of the realm of possibility for The Beard.