Through the first six games of the season, guards like James Harden were adjusting to the newly adopted system of referring that the League implemented this past offseason. After struggling to initially adapt, Harden just took his next step toward his journey of returning to his regular self, after the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Detroit Pistons 117-91.
Harden recorded his first triple-double of the season, his 13th with the Nets, after dropping 18 points, 12 dimes and snagging 10 boards in 29 minutes on the hardwood, tying Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird for 7th all-time in triple-doubles – Harden’s 59th all-time.
“I’m just playing. The confidence in my rhythm and all that is coming back – Game by game, I feel more better. Overall, much better,” Harden said via SB Nation’s Chris Milholen.
Beard outlet to KD for a smooth jam. Spookiest duo in the league right now? (via @BrooklynNets) pic.twitter.com/1wOB2xj1xH
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 1, 2021
The self-proclaimed ‘poster boy’ of the League’s revamped shooting fouls reached the line only 15 times in his first five games of the season, the first time since 2011 that he’s attempted less than five throws a game, reports Tom Haberstroh. In Friday night’s win over the Pacers, Harden returned to the stripe a whopping 19 times.
Yet he only needed to see the free throw line three times on Sunday to record his first triple-double of the season. It seems as if Harden has found his groove within the League’s new style of shooting fouls. He’ll have the next two nights off before his adjustments are tested again against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
