James Harden Keeps Writing His Name Into NBA History

Houston Rockets guard James Harden continued his NBA history making run on Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The reigning NBA MVP finished the game with 37 points. In doing so, he became the second ever NBA player to score 30 + points in 20 consecutive games. The first player to do so was Wilt Chamberlain.

“Wilt was doing some obviously unbelievable things and numbers that nobody will ever catch,” James Harden said.

“Just to be in the same conversation as those guys is just credit to the work I put in. That’s what you play this game for, to be listed with those guys, those top players… Obviously, I got a long way to go, but this is a pretty cool beginning.”

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James Harden is averaging 40.2 points over his last 23 games. Only Chamberlain (515), Elgin Baylor (33) and Kobe Bryant (23) have averaged as much over as many games.

He also has a season average of 35.7 points per game. Only Michael Jordan has averaged more over a season in the last 40 years.

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni praised Harden for what must have felt like the 1,000th time in two weeks.

“I mean, he’s incredible, he really is,” Mike D’Antoni said.

“I can’t tell you, I’ve run out of words … my vocabulary’s not that extensive. He’s incredible … I don’t see any end in sight. I know there will be, but I don’t see it happening.”

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Harden has stepped up for Houston in the wake of the team’s injury crisis.

“I know that, as long as I make sure we can keep our head above water, once those guys get back, my minutes will go down and we will win a lot easier,” Harden said.

“But, until then, I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do.”