Philadelphia 76ers: James Harden has tied Reggie Miller’s 3 pointers made
James Harden is a darn good basketball player.
He’s an amazing scorer, an elite passer, and even a quality rebounder who averages 7.5 boards a game to go with his 26.8 points and 12.0 assists. Whether scoring on the drive, breaking ankles with his Iverson-esque crossover, or drawing the “and-1” with his signature stepback J, “The Beard” is the best perimeter scorer the Sixers have employed in darn near 15 years and will forever exist in a club of exclusive scorers to wear the red, white, blue, and occasionally black/gold.
And now, just five games into his time in South Philly, Harden has already moved his name up the all-time NBA record books in all-time 3 pointers made, officially entering a tie for third-place all-time with a 1-5 performance from deep against the Chicago Bulls.
Sorry Reggie Miller, at least you have your Wendy’s commercials.
James Harden’s outside shot sets up the Philadelphia 76ers’ perimeter game.
When James Harden is on the court, opposing teams have to play the Philadelphia 76ers differently.
Sure, opposing teams still have a tendency to double and even triple-team Joel Embiid even before the ball comes his way, but they now have to do so at their own risk, as Harden is a pretty darn special scorer in his own right and is a savvy enough passer to get his guys open when they are left open.
Though the sample size is small, Harden’s average six 3 pointers attempted per game ranks first on the Sixers, ahead of Georges Niang, Danny Green, and the one-way sensation, Seth Curry. While that seems like a lot – and in actuality, it very much is – that number alone doesn’t tell the complete story of how Harden impacts the game.
No, in games with Harden on the court, the Sixers have averaged 34.2 3 point attempts per game, which is three above their team average on the season. Why? Because Harden and Embiid draw so much additional attention that inevitably, someone is going to have a wide-open look from beyond the arc, and the duo are savvy enough playmakers to get them the ball more often than not.
Since Harden arrived, Tyrese Maxey‘s 3 point shooting attempts have exploded, as have Niang’s, and even Matisse Thybulle, who is much better suited in the dunker spot than on the perimeter, has made at least one tré in each game paired up with “The Beard.” Granted, it doesn’t hurt that the Sixers are also making their 3s at an elite level, with the team making 42.1 percent of their attempts with Harden on the court, but if you look at Daryl Morey teams through the years, the trend has been consistent: Attempt the most 3s in the NBA, and good things will come.
Next. Let’s finally talk about Seth Curry’s defense. dark
Whether shooting the ball himself or setting his teammates up for an open look from beyond the arc, James Harden is the key to the Philadelphia 76ers’ 3 point shooting game. While the team’s personnel still isn’t ideally suited for the style of play optimally suited for a Harden-Tyrese Maxey-Joel Embiid Big 3, the trio’s abilities to get their own baskets and set up their teammates has largely made up for the lack of cold-blooded shooters coming off the bench or filling out the starting lineup. If they continue to play this way, it’s only a matter of time before Harden finds himself second historically in 3 pointers made, as he’s only behind 357 from Ray Allen at 2,973.