5 best performances of the 2017-18 NBA season

1. James Harden vs. Jazz, 11/5/18

Notable Stats: 56 points, 13 assists, 7 3-point field goals. 

Not to be outdone by the others on this list, James Harden makes his second appearance. That in itself is testament to how incredible his season was. This masterpiece against the Jazz might be the most prepsterously efficient performance from a player in recent league history.  Harden simply could not miss in this game. Of course, this was not the same Jazz team that has entered the playoffs on an absolute tear, grinding offenses to dust. Even so, the accomplishment is no less shocking.

Harden obliterated the Jazz for 56 points on 25 shots, knocking in 7 of 8 attempts from 3-point land and 11 of 12 free throws. Let that sink in for a minute. And the Jazz have numerous guys to throw at him and a number of bigs that can generally handle switches onto guards. Well, Harden obviously isn’t just any guard.  He smashed the Jazz, lulling defenders to sleep with his dancing dribbles and then nailing jumpers in their faces.

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He created a preposterous 91 points, scoring 56 and generating 35 for teammates. That’s the third highest total of scored and assisted points in league history for a single game; in that category Harden was behind himself and Wilt Chamberlain!

Sit back and watch a master a work: