5 best performances of the 2017-18 NBA season

3. James Harden vs. Magic, 1/30/18

Notable Stats: 60 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists

Every few years,  a guy will ravage the NBA for a year and prove that he’s playing the game on a different level than almost any other player. LeBron in 2013, Durant in 2014 and Curry in 2016 all sustained a superhuman level of play for a full season.  That’s the kind of year that James Harden had in 2018; a vintage that we’ll remember for a very long time. He makes everything look so damn easy, getting wherever he wants on the floor, whenever he wants.

Harden’s demolition of the Magic stands out as one of the crazier games in recent memory. You can’t really get much more ridiculous than a 60 point triple-double.  The Beard busted out one of the all-time beat downs we’ve ever witnessed against the Magic. He secured the first 60 point triple-double in NBA history, converting 19 of 30 shots while adding 17 points from the line.

With Chris Paul sitting this contest out, the hapless Magic had no response for Harden’s one man show. He carved opened up the floodgates on Orlando, carving the Magic up in the pick and roll, getting to the rim whenever he wanted.  Harden flashed creative finishes at the rim, drawing fouls and nailing numerous patented step back shots from deep. He found Capela rolling and dished to open shooters behind the arc.

At some point words become obsolete, here are the top highlights from Harden’s masterful game: