When James Harden hit the Knicks on New Years Eve | NBA

When we look today at the best performances of James Harden’s career, it is obviously impossible for us not to mention his game of December 31, 2016, against the Knicks.

Five years ago to the day, the 2018 MVP indeed managed a dantesque performance against the New York franchise. Showing, that night, a line of statistics unique in NBA history: 53 points, 16 rebounds and 17 assists (but with 8 ball losses). All at 14/26 on shots, 9/16 on 3-points and 16/18 on throws !!!

“Unique” because no other player had (and still has) compiled at least 45 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a game. Not even the Russell Westbrook, Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson and other Luka Doncic because, beyond being omnipresent on the rebound and on the pass, you have to be a hit with the scoring.

But James Harden has succeeded.

At the heart of his first season under the orders of Mike D’Antoni, the leader of the Rockets had made the song to the Knicks of Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and… Brandon Jennings. Drinking balloons Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Trevor Ariza or Montrezl Harrell, whether behind the 3-point line or in the paint, with caviar delivered each time in excellent timing, on “pick-and-roll Or in transition.

The total!

More responsible on the rebound in the absence of Clint Capela, in order to launch the counter-attacks and develop this fast style of play so dear to “MDA”, James Harden was more than ever the handyman of Houston. And, in this match which gave pride of place to attacks, the now player of the Nets was also responsible for fueling the scoring of his team (and not just a little).

All the offensive arsenal of the triple best scorer in the league is also spent there, at the Toyota Center: 3-points in “catch-and-shoot”, 3-points out of dribbling, 3-points in isolation, 3 -points in “stepback”, “floaters”, “stepbacks” at mid-distance, penetrations, free throws. He was a striker at the top of his game that the New York defenders had to stuff themselves with, unable to slow him down all evening and logically defeated on arrival. By chasing the score almost all the time.

Finally, note that at that time, it was “only” James Harden’s fourth 50-point game (he has managed 19 more since). Above all, it was his very first career 50/10/10 game (he has managed 4 more since). And “The Beard” could not imagine a better performance to conclude in style its year 2016, not really successful collectively (elimination in the first round of the playoffs, against the Warriors).