Fansided

5 NBA stars flying under the radar

By Derek Brown

Oct 28, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

James Harden

I don’t think we’ve seen a big point guard this good since Magic Johnson or Oscar Robertson. I know what you’re thinking: James Harden isn’t a point guard. True, he’s played most of his NBA career to date as a shooting guard, but for Mike D’Antoni’s Rockets, he’s embraced the point guard role. He’s already had four 15-assist games and is averaging 13 assists per game. That sure sounds like a point guard.

But don’t let the assist numbers fool you into thinking Harden is turning down shots, or letting his teammates do all the scoring. He’s averaged 30.6 points and 7.8 rebounds a game to go along with his assists. There isn’t much the 6-foot-5, 220-pound point guard can’t do on offense. The best thing that could have happened to Harden was leaving his sixth man role in Oklahoma. He’s been able to show the world exactly what he’s capable of since then, and we should all be on the lookout for the Rockets this season if he continues to control games.

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