Houston Rockets: 5 goals for James Harden in 2017-18

3.  Average 30 points per game

Throughout his eight seasons in the NBA, Harden’s numbers have risen in just about every major statistical category. As the player who complemented Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City, he has fully blossomed into a superstar with the Rockets, becoming one of the game’s marquee scorers.

Since coming to Houston via trade in 2012, Harden has averaged 27.4 points, 7.6 assists and 5.9 rebounds in 395 games with the franchise. With his ability to get buckets in a multitude of ways, asking Harden to average 30 points per game should come as no surprise.

The Rockets will need him to be nothing less than great, as the star who finished second in the race for MVP last season, should not seek to follow up his historical season with another poor ending. Every shot that he makes — particularly down the stretch, will only help his team in their effort to make waves in the Western Conference, and get one step closer towards winning a championship.

While the addition of Paul might hurt his numbers, there is still a possibility that No. 13 could find a way to put together yet another MVP-caliber campaign in 2018. It would certainly help him boost his chances.