Houston Rockets: 2018-19 player grades for James Harden

Strengths

Harden has found a way to effectively negate his lack of athleticism by slowly transforming himself into one of basketball’s most versatile triple threats for the last decade.

The 6’5″ 220-pound product possesses an array of deceptive jab moves in addition to a wicked vision and handle, in which he often utilizes to pick apart defenders and score with his Manu Ginobili-like euro step.

In conjunction with setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates in Houston’s vaulted 21 series and pick-and-roll sets, the reigning MVP possesses a wide-range of signature counter attacks to torch any given opponent who fully bites or overcommit on his fakes or drives.

This includes the ability to take opponents for a smooth tango in one-on-one situations. Failing to grant Harden enough space to fully operate can often lead to being a victim on the highlight reels thanks to his most iconic shot.

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Harden — who generated 18.1 out of his career-high 36.1 points per game in isolation — led the league in 3-pointers made, field goals made and free throws made for the second consecutive season.

"“He’s very difficult to guard,” Jazz head coach Quin Snyder said per Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News following Harden’s 43-point, 12-rebound, six-steal and four-block stat line in the Rockets’ 125-98 win against Utah on Feb. 2. “He’s so efficient to be as aggressive as he is…and also to be as efficient and poised. “It’s not like he’s coming down and it never feels like he’s selfish, it just feels like he’s making the right play all the time and a lot of times the right play is him shooting the ball. He’s playing at a level that is rare.”"