James Harden (Part 3)

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9 Mar 2024

James Harden (Part 3)

On July 8, 2017, Harden solidified his commitment to the Rockets by inking a monumental four-year contract extension worth approximately $160 million, catapulting him to the top of the NBA's salary hierarchy. This extension, combined with his existing deal, made Harden the recipient of the richest contract in NBA history, with a staggering $228 million guaranteed over six years.
During the 2017–18 season, Harden continued his spectacular performances, consistently dazzling fans and pundits alike with his scoring prowess and playmaking abilities. Notably, on November 5, he erupted for a career-high 56 points in a commanding 137–110 victory over the Utah Jazz, narrowly missing Calvin Murphy's franchise record of 57 points set in 1978. Harden's exceptional display also saw him join Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to achieve at least 10 assists while shooting better than 75 percent from the field in a 50-point game.

As the season progressed, Harden showcased his offensive dominance by setting multiple franchise and league records. He became the first player in Rockets history to score at least 20 points in each of the team's first 20 games of a season and tied the franchise record for consecutive games with at least 20 points. Furthermore, Harden's remarkable consistency earned him Western Conference Player of the Month honors for October and November, marking the fifth time he received the accolade.
Despite facing a brief hiatus due to a hamstring injury, Harden returned to action with a vengeance, delivering sensational performances that left a lasting impact on the league. Notably, on January 30, 2018, he etched his name in the NBA record books by becoming the first player in history to score 60 points as part of a triple-double, solidifying his status as one of the game's most prolific scorers. Harden's stellar contributions played a pivotal role in guiding the Rockets to their best regular-season record in franchise history, clinching the top seed in the Western Conference with an impressive 65–17 record.

In recognition of his outstanding season, Harden was bestowed with numerous accolades, including the prestigious NBA Most Valuable Player award for the 2017–18 season, making him only the third player in Rockets history to receive the honor. Additionally, he was voted as the National Basketball Players Association's MVP for the season, further cementing his status as one of the league's premier talents.

Throughout the tumultuous start of the season, the Rockets found themselves struggling with an 11–14 record. However, Harden's unwavering brilliance soon became the guiding force for the team's resurgence. By the conclusion of December, he had single-handedly propelled the Rockets to a 21–15 record, stepping up to the plate in the absence of fellow All-Star Chris Paul, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Harden's on-court virtuosity reached unprecedented heights, exemplified by his remarkable performance on January 11, where he notched an impressive stat line of 43 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists in a commanding victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. This exceptional display marked Harden's 13th game of the season with 40 points, surpassing franchise legend Karl Malone's previous record.

As the season progressed, Harden continued to rewrite the record books with his extraordinary scoring prowess. Notably, on January 23, he delivered a career-high 61 points alongside 15 rebounds in a thrilling win against the New York Knicks, etching his name alongside NBA greats like Wilt Chamberlain with the fourth-longest streak for consecutive 30-point games.
Harden's scoring spree showed no signs of slowing down as he cemented his status as one of the league's most prolific scorers. His remarkable consistency was highlighted by a historic streak of 32 consecutive games with 30 or more points, surpassing Chamberlain's previous mark to claim the second-longest streak in NBA history.

Despite facing adversity with injuries and illnesses, Harden remained undeterred, continually elevating his game to new heights. His tenacity and resilience were evident as he etched his name in the annals of NBA history with unprecedented achievements, including becoming the first player to score 30 or more points against all 29 opposing teams in a single season.
Harden's unrivaled contributions culminated in numerous accolades and milestones, including his fifth All-NBA First Team selection and unanimous recognition as one of the league's premier talents. Despite the Rockets' postseason exit, Harden's indelible impact on the court solidified his legacy as one of the most dominant forces in modern basketball history.

James Harden's 2019-2020 season was marked by extraordinary scoring feats and historic achievements. Despite a lackluster start in the first three games, where he struggled with his shooting percentages, Harden quickly rebounded with an explosive 59-point performance against the Washington Wizards on October 30, 2019, narrowly missing out on his career-high.
This remarkable display extended Harden's streak of scoring 50-point games to six consecutive seasons, placing him in elite company alongside Wilt Chamberlain. Harden's dominance continued throughout the season, earning him Western Conference Player of the Week honors and setting numerous records along the way.

On November 30, 2019, Harden showcased his scoring prowess once again with a scintillating 60-point game against the Atlanta Hawks, making him only the third player in NBA history to achieve this feat in just three quarters. Notably, he achieved this milestone with the fewest shot attempts ever in a 60-point game.
Harden's scoring exploits reached new heights on December 11, 2019, when he recorded his fourth 50-point game of the season against the Cleveland Cavaliers. His exceptional shooting performance further solidified his status as one of the premier scorers in NBA history.
Continuing his scoring rampage, Harden achieved back-to-back 50-point games for the third time in his career with a 54-point performance against the Orlando Magic on December 13, 2019. This remarkable feat also saw him become the first player in NBA history to achieve 50+ points and 10+ 3-pointers in consecutive games.

Throughout the season, Harden continued to rewrite the record books, surpassing milestones such as becoming the franchise's second-highest scorer and leading the league in scoring for the third consecutive season. Despite his individual brilliance, the Rockets faced disappointment in the playoffs, ultimately bowing out in the second round to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The offseason saw significant changes for the Rockets, with both the general manager and head coach departing, and Harden himself expressing a desire to be traded. Nevertheless, Harden's on-court excellence remained undiminished, exemplified by his stellar performance on December 26, 2020, where he notched a season-high 44 points and tied his career-high with 17 assists in a closely contested matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.