Fansided

Power ranking NBA Western Conference point guards

By Connor Learn

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) go head-to-head tonight in a meeting of two stars in today's FanDuel daily picks. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) go head-to-head tonight in a meeting of two stars in today's FanDuel daily picks. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

2. James Harden, Houston Rockets

First thing’s first, James Harden is more of a point guard than a shooting guard. Patrick Beverley is the team’s nominal point guard but is more of a shooting guard on the offensive side of the floor. Harden dominates the ball for Houston and creates plays of his own and for others. Accordingly, he is currently first in the league in time possessing the basketball. He finished sixth in the league in assists last year and is leading the league with 12.5 assists per game this year. Harden has become a point guard.

In 2015-16, Harden became the third player in league history to average 29 points, 7.5 assists, and six rebounds per game. He joined Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson as the only players in league history to post those stats. At this point the season is still young, but Harden will probably eclipse those statistics. His nightly averages right now stand at 28.7 points, 12.5 assists, and 7.8 rebounds a game. Nearly every statistic posted by James Harden this year is remarkable.

Harden came into this season in the shape of his life and has reaped the benefits. The arrival of Coach Mike D’Antoni has helped elevate Harden’s game to a new level. No doubt one of the league’s premier playmakers, if he continues his current play then he can become more than that. Harden is one of the premier playmakers in NBA history.

Key Statistics

  • 28.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 12.5 apg (league leader),31.0 PER, 33.3 Usage
  • Second in Win Shares, third in Box +/-, 20.4 Player Impact Rating, Second in Value Over Replacement
  • Rockets 9-5
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