Love him or hate him, James Harden has turned around what was a stunningly bad start to the 2015-16 season. The Houston Rockets have some real issues at 4-4 thanks to integrating a number of new pieces into their lineup, but they are too deep and too talented to not be back near the top of the Western Conference standings sooner than later.
That’s thanks in no small part to the resurgence of Harden himself. After a historic poor start, Harden was named last week’s NBA Western Conference Player of the Week due to a major turn-around.
Over the course of the four-game stretch that week encompassed, Harden shot 46.4% from the floor and scored 38.5 points per game to go with 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
His shooting numbers are still underwhelming at 37.6% from the floor and 24.7% from three-point range, but those numbers will go up over the course of this season. Even after his poor start, though, Harden is averaging 28.9 points, 6.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game.
The Rockets need James Harden, and his production is while they’re going to be in the mix sooner than later.
Next: Number Four