We’re just two games into the James Harden in Brooklyn experience, but it’s pretty clear what we’re seeing: he’s completely bought in and looks like the Harden we knew and not that MVP struggling like he was in Houston.
Yep, that means trouble for the rest of the NBA.
The Brooklyn Nets were clearly banking on him gelling right away with his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kevin Durant, and that’s exactly what’s happened — Harden spoke to reporters after the Nets’ 125-123 win over a fellow East contender in the Milwaukee Bucks and spoke about what he can do to elevate Durant and not compete with his fellow future Hall of Famer. He also noted their maturity helps:
James Harden on KD: "I know what type of player Kevin Durant is. He’s one of the best players to ever touch a basketball. It’s God-given, 7-foot, and can basically do everything. For me, it’s not trying to compete with that. It’s allowing Kevin to be the best Kevin he can be." pic.twitter.com/gRUiI2JazZ
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) January 19, 2021
Revealing quote from James Harden on how he and KD are more mature with the @BrooklynNets than they were in OKC https://t.co/XC7HeKu2ZS pic.twitter.com/c0ckSNE0j8
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) January 19, 2021
On the court, it’s clear they’re unstoppable if they play at this level. There’s no way you can double either of them, and we’re talking about two of the NBA’s best in iso one-on-one situations:
Durant and Harden’s first game back together didn’t disappoint!
KD: 42 PTS 📊
Harden: 32 PTS, 14 AST, 12 REB 📊 pic.twitter.com/VEMEr8LhSf— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 17, 2021
Kevin Durant and James Harden put on a show tonight against the Bucks.
This duo is so lethal 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/B9fmpzBpfx
— Hilltop Hoops (@HilltopNBA) January 19, 2021
Harden really summed it all up:
SCARY HOURS!
— James Harden (@JHarden13) January 19, 2021
So did Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum:
Bruh happy as shxt . Love to see it. https://t.co/tBlWPLx3PX
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) January 19, 2021
All of this is why I’m not concerned at all at the looming return of Kyrie Irving. If Harden is all in like this and he’s thriving, they’ll figure out ball-handling responsibilities. Who’s taking the final shot in a game — on Monday, it was Harden who took a trey after a pass from Durant and missed, but he grabbed the rebound and found KD for the game-winner — will be figured out with more ease than expected. Plus, with Harden reportedly pushing for a trade to Brooklyn, he and the other part of this Big 3 knew they’d have to work together if they were teammates.
All of this means: look out, NBA. Welp.
