HoopsHabit 2015-16 All-NBA Teams

13 of 16

Apr 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

All-NBA Third Team

James Harden, Houston Rockets

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 26

Slash Line: .439/.359/.860

Season Averages: 38.1 MPG, 29.0 PPG, 7.5 APG, 6.1 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 2.9 3PM

Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no way around the fact that James Harden deserves to be on an All-NBA Team. He saved the Houston Rockets from missing the playoffs, had one of the greatest statistical seasons of all-time, and has as high of a ceiling as any player in the game.

Defense seems to be Harden’s worst enemy, but how exactly can one overlook 29.0 points and 7.5 assists per game?

Harden joins LeBron James in 2009-10, Dwyane Wade in 2008-09, and Allen Iverson in 2004-05 as the only players to average at least 29.0 points and 7.5 assists since the turn of the century. For what it’s worth, those three of those men will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

Love Harden or hate him, stat lines like this help to build that same trajectory.

Houston made it into the playoffs by the skin of its teeth, but a postseason appearance is worth appreciating—no matter how it’s attained. It helps bring additional value to Harden’s production, which likely would’ve been enough to earn him an appearance on this list on its own.

Harden is a polarizing player, but he deserves this selection.

Next: All-NBA Third Team: Forward