James Harden (Part 2)

Following failed contract extension negotiations with the Thunder, Harden found himself traded to the Houston Rockets on October 27, 2012, as part of a significant deal involving several players and draft picks. Rockets' general manager, Daryl Morey, hailed Harden as a "foundational" player, anticipating him to become the focal point of Houston's team, despite previously playing a supporting role behind stars like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Harden wasted no time in making his mark with his new team, signing a lucrative contract extension worth $80 million over five years on October 31, 2012.


In his debut game for the Rockets, Harden etched his name in NBA history by becoming the first player ever to score 37 or more points while also registering a double-digit assist total. His stellar performance included 37 points, a career-high 12 assists, six rebounds, four steals, and one block in a 105–96 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Just two days later, he continued his scoring spree by dropping 45 points against the Atlanta Hawks. Harden's total of 82 points in his first two games with the Rockets set a new NBA record, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's previous mark of 79 points in his first two games with the Philadelphia Warriors back in 1959.
Further solidifying his impact, Harden achieved his first career triple-double on February 2, 2013, against the Charlotte Bobcats, recording 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. His exceptional performances throughout the season earned him a spot as a reserve in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star selection. Harden contributed 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists in the West's victory over the East. The standout moments continued as Harden scored a career-high 46 points on February 20, 2013, leading the Rockets to a thrilling 122–119 win over his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.


During the initial two months of the season, Harden emerged as a top contender for the MVP title, showcasing his scoring prowess by surpassing 40 points three times within a span of six games. In April 2015, he etched his name in the annals of franchise history by becoming the first player to achieve two 50-point games in a single season. Harden played a pivotal role in leading the Rockets to their first division title since 1994, securing the No. 2 seed in the competitive Western Conference.
Continuing his stellar performance, Harden earned a spot on the All-NBA First Team and finished as the runner-up in the NBA MVP race, narrowly trailing behind Stephen Curry. Additionally, he received recognition as the inaugural recipient of the National Basketball Players Association's MVP award for the 2014–15 season.


In the playoffs, Harden demonstrated his versatility by recording his first career playoff triple-double in Game 5 of the Rockets' second-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, his relationship with head coach Kevin McHale appeared strained, as McHale benched Harden during crucial moments in the playoffs. Despite facing challenges, Harden showcased his scoring prowess by tallying a playoff career-high 45 points in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
The 2015–16 season witnessed Harden's continued dominance on the court, as he became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968 to achieve at least 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists in a single game. Harden's remarkable performance throughout March earned him a unique distinction, as he became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1967 to record at least 450 points, 150 assists, and 100 rebounds in a single month.
Despite setting a career-high in turnovers for the season, Harden's impressive statistical achievements, including averaging 29 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game, solidified his place among basketball legends such as LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Oscar Robertson, who achieved similar feats in NBA history.


On July 9, 2016, Harden solidified his commitment to the Rockets by signing a lucrative four-year, $118.1 million contract extension. Under the guidance of new head coach Mike D'Antoni, Harden embraced a new role as the team's point guard at the onset of the 2016–17 season. In a stellar display during the Rockets' season opener on October 26, 2016, Harden amassed an impressive stat line of 34 points, a career-high 17 assists, and eight rebounds in a close 120–114 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. This performance made him only the second player in NBA history to achieve at least 30 points and 15 assists in an opening game, a feat previously accomplished by Tim Hardaway in 1990.


As the season progressed, Harden continued to showcase his versatility, recording multiple triple-doubles and achieving significant milestones. Notably, on December 31, 2016, he made NBA history by finishing with an astounding 53 points, 17 assists, and 16 rebounds in a thrilling 129–122 victory over the New York Knicks. This marked the first time a player recorded a 50–15–15 stat line in NBA history, tying Wilt Chamberlain for the most points in a triple-double game. Harden's exceptional play earned him numerous accolades, including being named Western Conference Player of the Week multiple times and receiving the Western Conference Player of the Month honors for December.


Throughout the season, Harden continued to set records and achieve remarkable milestones, including becoming the first player in NBA history with multiple 50-point triple-doubles in a season and scoring his 10,000th point as a Rocket. He concluded the regular season with an impressive 22 triple-doubles and became the first player to finish with at least 2,000 points, 900 assists, and 600 rebounds in a single season.
Despite his outstanding individual performance, the Rockets faced playoff disappointment, bowing out to the San Antonio Spurs in the second round. Harden's efforts, including a second career postseason triple-double in Game 5, were not enough to carry the Rockets to victory, as they fell to the Spurs in a hard-fought series.

References

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2. "James Harden stats, details, videos, news". NBA.com. December 17, 2017.
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