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‘True Playmaker’: Nets’ Steve Nash Credits James Harden for Bolstering the Team’s Offense

Published 02/28/2021, 3:30 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

James Harden coming to Brooklyn Nets has shattered other teams’ chances of winning the 2021 NBA championship. The former Houston Rockets shooting guard has fit in perfectly into the Nets’ offensive system, and head coach Steve Nash is extremely satisfied with the results. 

Not many players sparkle on their debuts by scoring a triple-double, but that’s how Harden began his Nets career. It just signified that fans are going to witness something special this season, and the same thought has resonated with head coach Steve Nash as well. 

Steve Nash hails James Harden for playing at a historic level

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Nash, a two-time MVP from back in his playing days, was recently asked to offer his views on the team’s success ever since the Harden trade. 

“It’s been amazing. He’s in a sense exactly what we needed. He’s a guy that is so gifted at reading the defense, manipulating the defense, distorting the defense, creating opportunities for his teammates, you know, a really true playmaker at a historic level,” Nash mentioned. 

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Harden has put up the numbers to back up Nash’s statements. Since joining the Nets, ‘The Beard’ has been posting averages of 25.1 points, 11.1 assists, and 8.4 rebounds in 21 games while averaging a career-best 41.8% from the three-point range. 

The Nets recently won eight games in a row to assert their dominance in the league. Harden dished out double-digit assists in all but three of them to mark his name as a versatile offensive player. 

Harden stands alone in historic NBA record

James Harden is a certified record-breaker, and he owns several of them with the Houston Rockets. He has continued this trend after joining the Nets as well. 

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Harden’s numbers just 20 games into his Nets career are astonishing, and they’re not about scoring alone. The 31-year-old is the only player in history to have produced 1000 points (scored or assisted on) in his first 20 games with a team! 

USA Today via Reuters

James Harden is now the Nets’ second all-time triple-double getter as well, and he’s only played 21 games for them. It has been a treat to watch the team play, and they’re hungry for massive success this season.

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A team that has the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden will always be the favorites to win the championship. Will the Nets fulfill their expectations or fall short of the finish line?

Wizards’ Russell Westbrook Leaves James Harden Miles Behind in an Insane NBA Scoring Record

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Written by:

Arjun Athreya

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Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.
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