Brooklyn Nets: Predicting leaders in all the statistical categories

Feb 2, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving (C) and power forward Kevin Durant (R) talk to shooting guard James Harden (13) before checking into the game during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving (C) and power forward Kevin Durant (R) talk to shooting guard James Harden (13) before checking into the game during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports). /

Brooklyn Nets statistical leaders: Rebounds – James Harden
Predicted average: 8.5

The Nets don’t have a team with a lot of size and rebounding presence, but James Harden is a guard whose rebounding acumen far outpaces his size. In fact, he’s the leading returning rebounder from a season ago thanks to his average of 8.5 per game. Expect him to essentially duplicate that effort as he averages a near triple-double like usual.

Brooklyn Nets statistical leaders: Assists – James Harden
Predicted average: 11.0

Even on a team with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, James Harden is going to be the man with the ball a whole lot. As the main facilitator on a team absolutely chock full of elite scorers and finishers, James Harden should average double-digit assists just by rolling out of bed in the morning.

Brooklyn Nets statistical leaders: Stocks – James Harden
Predicted average: 2.2

Predicting James Harden to be a defensive statistical leader seems like a fraught proposition, but it makes sense. He’s a sturdy on-ball defender, even if he can fall asleep off-ball and be a bit lackadaisical. Harden is also a remarkably opportunistic defender who just tends to end up with the ball way more than you’d expect out of a player with his reputation. On this Nets team, it’s basically a coin flip between Harden and Kevin Durant for this statistical achievement.