Hoops Habit
Fansided

Why Russell Westbrook and James Harden are the best duo in the bubble

By James Mueller

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 11: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets stand on the court during a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 11, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 11: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets stand on the court during a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on November 11, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Of the many great duos in the NBA Bubble, none top the Houston Rockets’ duo of Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Take a look at what makes them special.

The Houston Rockets truly have something special in the Russell Westbrook and James Harden combination. Entering the season, many doubted Westbrook and Harden would be able to successfully play together since both players are ball-dominant and both rank near the top of the league in isolation possessions per game. But not only have Brodie and The Beard proved their doubters wrong but they have become the NBA’s best duo.

It’s truly unfair to opposing defenses for one of the greatest and most efficient scorers in NBA history in James Harden to be paired with Russell Westbrook, an athletic specimen that can put up a triple-double on a nightly basis.

More from Hoops Habit

Westbrook and Harden are the league’s top-scoring duo, combining to average 62 points per game. On top of that, Westbrook and Harden are the only pair of teammates to rank in the top 10 in scoring this season, with Harden being the NBA’s leading scorer and Westbrook ranked seventh.

Westbrook has been extremely efficient the offense end of the floor even though he is paired with the player that leads the league in isolation possessions per game. During the 2018-2019 season with Oklahoma City, Westbrook averaged 22.9 points on 42.8 percent shooting from the field. But since coming to Houston to join forces with Harden, Westbrook’s offensive numbers have skyrocketed.

This season, Westbrook is averaging 27.6 points per game with a career-high 47.3 field goal percentage. Westbrook is also currently on a 36 game streak of scoring 20 points or more, which is the fifth-longest streak in NBA history.

As for Harden, he is currently averaging his 34.4 points per game with a 61.9 true shooting percentage. This marks his third straight season in which he has led the NBA in scoring as well as his third consecutive season in which he is averaging 30 plus points.

Harden’s step back is simply unguardable in one-on-one situations, which combined with his ability to draw fouls and how easily he can get to the rim makes him the most dangerous offensive threat in the NBA.

Not only are Westbrook and Harden two of the league’s best scorers but they are also two of the best facilitators. Both often draw double teams but have great court vision and always seem to find an open teammate in these situations. As a result, the two combine to dish out 14.4 assists per game which ranks second-best for any pair of teammates this season.

More from Houston Rockets

Defensively, the duo has been surprisingly impressive. Of course, the Houston Rockets will give up their fair share of points due to the fact that they do not have a true center but Westbrook and Harden’s individual numbers are extremely impressive.

Westbrook’s quickness and athleticism allow him to stay in front of his man and create turnover opportunities. As a result, Westbrook has always been one of the league’s best in steals and this year is no different as he is averaging 1.6 steals per game. Westbrook is also tied for seventh in defensive loose balls recovered per game with an average of 0.8.

On the other hand, Harden has been criticized for his defense over the years. But he has greatly improved his defense over the last couple of seasons and is now one of the better defenders in the league. Harden ranks fifth in the NBA in steals, averaging 1.8 per game, and 13th in deflections, averaging 3.1 per game. Harden is also averaging a career-high 0.9 blocks per game, which is the most by any guard this season.

James Harden is also a great defender in crunch time, shutting down some of the NBA’s best offensive weapons to help secure a Rockets victory. Harden’s defensive numbers are the most overlooked part of his game, but if looked at closely they show that The Beard has been one of the better defenders in the league over the past couple of seasons.

Ultimately, no duo is as effective as Westbrook and Harden have been. Both the offensive and defensive production make Brodie and The Beard the NBA’s most dangerous duo and give the Rockets a legitimate chance to bring the Larry O’Brien trophy back to Houston for the first time since 1995.

Next. James Harden compares himself to Allen Iverson. dark

Home/Houston Rockets