James Harden should have some lofty goals in 2019-20

4. Lead the league in steals

Not too long ago, James Harden would often times find himself thrust into the role of scapegoat on nightly NBA highlights for exhibiting a lack of effort and awareness on defense.

Now, the seven-time All-Star is currently working to rewrite the narrative, as the man who was once labeled as one of the game’s worst defenders would quietly put together his best defensive season to date last season.

Harden — who finished the year ranked in the 89th percentile as a post-up defender — led all guards in deflections and steals per game during the 2018-19 campaign.

On the way to finishing second in blocks per game among players listed 6’7″ and under, as The Beard averaged a career-best 2.0 thefts and 0.7 swats per game through 78 contests.

"“I think his defense has been underrated for a while,” D’Antoni told reporters when asked about Harden’s defensive improvement in the middle of last season. “Every now and then, guess what, he’ll take a play off. They’ll zoom in and go ‘Look.’ “You could do that with every player in the NBA if you wanted to. It’s just the narrative you want to make. If you want to make that narrative, you can nit-pick him.”"

Although it is more likely that fans will always recognize Harden for his signature step-backs as opposed to his defense, leading the league in steals would make for quite the accomplishment for the reigning scoring champion next season.

That could also silence a few of his constant naysayers in the act, as the 6’5″, 220-pound product possesses the ability to get into the passing lanes and knack to access big men who dare to post him up down in the paint.

Should he do so, then Harden would become the first player in Houston Rockets history to accomplish the feat.