NEW ORLEANS -- James Harden admitted that he was still not ready for the 40 and 30 point scoring he saw in his body after he started slowing down.
Harden scored 30 points in 13 games, but he nearly reached 40. Brooklyn Nets' guard, Harden, had 39 points and 12 assists in helping Brooklyn defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 120-112 at Smoothie King Centre.
Harden stated that he was getting closer to achieving his MVP form. It wasn't going be easy. This is the NBA, which is the highest level in the sport, and the most talented players in the world. It's not going be easy for me just to go out and do what I love. To be able to play at the level you have seen me at, it takes hard work.
"When I'm not scoring 30-points, but I'm averaging 18 points, it's like James is missing something. It's still pretty solid. I have been playing at a level that is beyond my expectations. You guys set the standards for me and I set them for myself. For me, it's just continuing to work. I feel much better and the work doesn't stop."
New Orleans erased a 21 point deficit in the third quarter and was leading by three at 4:36. Harden and Kevin Durant scored 11 points each to win the game for the Pelicans.
Durant is off to an MVP-caliber start. He had 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds to help win the Nets (9-4), their seventh consecutive victory in eight games. Harden and Durant combined for 67 point, which is their second-highest total in a game together as teammates with Nets after the 74 combined points that the All-Stars had on Jan 16, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Harden stopped when asked about opposing defenses in the face of two All-Stars cooking simultaneously.
"Ummm, pray?" Harden cracked. "I'm just having fun." It's hard. We are two selfless basketball players. We're versatile. Kevin is well-known for his scoring and efficiency, but he's also a skilled passer, especially with double teams or other such things. It's hard to guard him and even harder to guard me when it's going well.
Harden is also difficult to stop when he's at the free-throw line. Harden made 6-of-10 3-pointers, and was 11-of-18 overall from the field. Harden also made 11 free throws and went to the line fifteen times. Harden made double-digit trips to the line for the Nets' All-Star this season. Officials have been tightening up on "overtly abrupt or abnormal non-basketball movements" by ball handlers trying to draw fouls.
Harden was only 22 times to the line in his six previous games.
Durant described Harden as "he was aggressive all night." "He was going downhill, getting to free-throw line, 11 for 18, highly, extremely efficient. He looked amazing with 12 assists.
Harden's highest scoring night of the season is one game after he scored his third triple-double in the win over Orlando on Wednesday. Harden has had three triple-doubles in seven of his last seven games.
He attributed his slow start to scoring to the fact that he had to take time off to heal from a Grade 2 injury to his hamstring. He has stated repeatedly that his game will be back soon after he gains more confidence.
When asked by Steve Nash, Nets coach, Steve Nash stated that Harden was back to his full form. It's still a long way before he feels like this every night, or at his best. There are three things that make a person feel good: the fitness, the rhythm and the confidence. It takes time for all three of these things to come back.
He was amazing tonight. He has been great the past week. I think he is trending in the right direction. Let's allow him to recover his skills.
