Let’s just put it bluntly: James Harden was sensational in his Brooklyn debut. Yes, he committed nine turnovers. Yes, he only shot 3 out of 10 out of three. But he was in total control all night, and cut his passions everywhere and immediately displayed an easy feeling for the fine balance of when he had to create for himself, and when to get his teammates going, as the Nets let separated from Orlando for a 122-115 victory.
Harden’s chemistry with Kevin Durant seems like they never stopped playing together, as the two combined gave an astonishing 74 points, 19 assists and 16 rebounds. Durant was poetic with 42 of the most effortless points you will ever see as his incredible start to the season continues.
For Harden’s side, with 32 points, 14 assists, 12 rebounds and four steals, he became the first player in NBA history to score a 30-point triple-double in his debut with a new team. He also dug all his name into the Nets record book, as the 14 assistants are a franchise highlight for anyone who is in a team debut, and which has required the high tide point since the organization moved to Brooklyn.
Harden’s patience and playfulness were the two biggest takeaways from this debut. The way he and everyone around him approaches the offensive balance will continue to evolve, probably for the rest of the regular season, and the return of Kyrie Irving will be another wrinkle, but it’s already clear that Harden is willing to accept his role as orchestra. . Take a look at all the different ways he created shots for his teammates on Saturday night:
Harden, who is one of only six players in NBA history to win both a score and an assistant title, has always been a fantastic passer, not only for his creativity, sense of court and timing, but because he is deadly accurate, and rarely rolls or a spot in the field forces -up shooters to adapt to passes that are even slightly off the point. He hits you squarely in the pocket, and the results reflect the rhythm.
Per ESPN Statistics and Information, the Nets shot 7 for 12 in the first half when they were on the receiving end of a Harden pass, and they were a perfect 5 for 5, including 2 for 2 of three, when the shooter found himself unattended. Speaking of unguarded, Joe Harris, who happens to be one of the best shooters on the planet, may not be shooting another controversial shot all season with the attention his teammates are going to get. Get used to many tries like these:
Harris was also the beneficiary of the gravity of his teammates in the first possession of the game. Watch here as Harden and Durant move cross-screen for each other, and while all the eyeballs go towards them, Harris cuts to the ring for a make-up.
In Houston, Harden’s gravity was never really anything, because he always had the ball. In Brooklyn, that’s not going to be the case. His off-ball movement can, and should, be a weapon, just like that of Durant and Irving even when Harden owned it. If all three play together, two of them must constantly create one-on-one lanes for the third with even a little activity.
What is scary is that in many cases it will not even be necessary. We are talking about literally probably the three best one-on-one scorers in the world, in the same team. They can play your load in my sleep. When a dry protest hits, Harden and Durant can simply pick and roll and get a good chance every time, as defenders make the impossible choice to follow.
For three years, Durant benefited from playing with Stephen Curry and finding himself with wider openings than he had ever seen in Oklahoma City, and the dynamics must continue with Harden and Irving. Watch here as Harden methodically sucks the entire defense into the paint, forcing everyone to engage with him as the goal scorer and Reggie Perry as the role, leaving Durant completely alone for a warm-up jumper.
Durant was 5 for 8 on three points on Saturday night. Harden has never had a three-point shooter like Durant as a co-star in Houston, and they’re going to make incredibly easy music with that kind of space.
Brooklyn’s defense still needs work. This is a good chance to pick up another wing defender and / or a great man to protect the edge after the departure of Jarrett Allen (preferably one who could also be a pick-and-pop threat, given how available the look will be from it) Harden, Durant and Irving start, either through trading or in the buyout market.
Incorporating Irving into the mixture will be a test. But after one game, the outrageous skill and IQ that both Harden and Durant possess made it clear that it was not going to be a terribly rough transition. Irving is also incredibly smart on the track. They will find out this thing, and when they do, they will be terrifying, perhaps boundlessly unstoppable, offensive.