Harden’s 57 Points Elevate Rockets Past Grizzlies, 112-94
M.V.P. Clark’s Emergence. The Harden Tour.
This one was for Clint. People said James Harden’s game would be limited, I even said he wouldn’t have as many tricks up his sleeve as usual. Regardless, the Beard did what the Beard does this season: he proves people wrong. Harden did it again Monday night, carrying a depleted Rockets team past the Grizzlies, dropping 57 points on the way to a 112-94 victory in Houston. The Beard’s 57 points are a season-high, as he passed Kobe Bryant for 2nd on the list of consecutive games scoring 30 or more, making this game Harden’s 17th in a row. If it wasn’t clear earlier, it should be crystal by now. James Harden is the MVP this season. Unless he falls off the face of the Earth, the Beard is the most valuable player to any team in the NBA, no matter who’s on the injury list for Houston on any given night. Monday night, and for some nights in the foreseeable future, the Rockets will be without 3 starters in their lineup. Harden won’t score 57 every night, but he made a statement in the Rockets first game without Clint Capela, Chris Paul, and Eric Gordon. As long as he’s healthy, and playing at this level, the Rockets have a chance against anyone, on any night. That’s the definition of an MVP. The Greek Freak is a sensational player, but he’s got a healthy, deep team around him, as the Bucks sit near the top of the East. The Beard never knows who will or won’t be playing on any given night. Harden just knows he’s all in, every night. There shouldn’t be any more questions as to who will be named MVP this year. They said he needed to score 50 to win. Harden scored 57 points. The MVP discussion is finally over. The Beard ended it last night.
The Rockets had other players step up, despite some tired legs. Danuel House had another stellar outing, with 15 points and vicious defense, as he proves to be one of the best role players in the league on a nightly basis. Austin Rivers had another double-digit scoring affair, something he’s done in every game as a Rocket except once. Gerald Green provided another spark off the bench with 14 points and his usual jolt of energy. Gary Clark had another efficient, mistake-free outing in more minutes than usual for the rookie. Clark has played well in every chance he’s been given. The rookie just hasn’t been given enough minutes due to Houston’s depth. Last night, he finished with 8 points and 3 boards with GREAT defense, in 26 minutes of action. Now, he’ll have a chance to shine and possibly even earn a spot in the rotation like Danuel House did. House ended up taking Clark’s spot in the rotation, before taking Ennis’ spot in the starting lineup. All deserved for Danuel, whose breakout season has saved Houston and his undercurrent of hustle along with P.J. Tucker and Gerald Green have kept the Rockets afloat, along with Harden’s play, amongst all the injuries this season. Gary Clark is the same grind it out, hustle player, like the aforementioned group. Clark plays with a chip on his shoulder and with something to prove, the rookie went undrafted out of Cincinnati. Another example of Daryl Morey’s genius as a GM, Clark has the opportunity of a lifetime to solidify one of the final spots in the rotation for himself if he continues to play mistake-free, efficient basketball. The Rockets are the deepest team in the league, with Clark’s emergence (a player most media nationally haven’t even heard of) people will begin to recognize Houston’s depth as a real factor in their success, other than Harden’s greatness. Clark’s evolution will be another key piece to the Rockets puzzle, as they search for that elusive third Championship.
Up next on the James Harden Tour, the Brooklyn Nets pay a visit to Houston on Wednesday night. The Rockets will once again be without 3 key players (Paul, Capela, Gordon). The Beard will try and make the Nets his next victim on his tour of schooling professional athletes, a tour that has no end in sight. One sees the real value of a player when his back’s against the wall. Most players force shots and they’re weaknesses are exposed. When James Harden’s back is against the wall, he puts the team on his shoulders and carries them to victory, exposing his greatness as an individual and leader. Harden’s proved it, time and time again, this season. He’s the best player on the planet right now, in a league full of top-tier athletes James Harden stands alone as the best. Houston fans, don’t take this for granted. I keep thinking eventually this has to stop. Although, something in Harden’s eyes tells me, the Beard has no plans of slowing down, at any point this season. Hopefully, he will be able to keep it up. The Rockets can’t afford to have the Harden Tour end anytime soon.