James Harden should have some lofty goals in 2019-20

5. Ignore the outside noise

In spite of generating countless awe and praise from the majority of his peers around the league, James Harden’s most recent on-court exploits would still find a way to fuel the incessant ire of countless hoops fans who sought to follow his nightly act across their television screens last season.

That included several former NBA players and analysts, as the man who found himself at the center of the league’s macrocosm for his epic scoring streak would soon become the target of criticism for his style of play in the immediate days to follow.

"“I just feel like this style, what Harden does, is manipulating the game somehow,” former LA Clippers color commentator Don MacLean said on a live broadcast when asked to dissect Harden’s game last year. “Almost like cheating it somehow. And I don’t really have a thought beyond that other than I’m watching something that isn’t basketball. “To me, basketball is player movement, ball movement, designed plays. Not just a guy walking it up and isolating every time … who else could do this? It’s not like that within the system, he’s getting all these numbers. The system is built for him.”"

Although the following comments from MacLean and other skeptics could serve as extra fuel for Harden to feed off yet once again, uncovering a peaceful method to eschew all the chatter could be just what the master of isolation needs to officially help the Houston Rockets get over the hump.

That would be in addition to putting together his best all-around season yet, as being able to confide in his childhood friend Russell Westbrook and veteran Tyson Chandler about matters on and off the floor may prove to pay significant dividends for Harden at the hallmark hour of his illustrious career.

En route to helping him accomplish his ultimate goal in the process.