James Harden of the Houston Rockets looks on while playing the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on November 21, 2016 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Photo : Getty Images/Gregory Shamus)
James Harden has come a long way from a sixth man in the talented Oklahoma City Thunder to a Most Valuable Player Candidate and now to being history of himself. Before the year ended, Harden was on beast mode by dropping a 53-point triple-double on New Year's Eve.
Harden proved why he is one of the frontrunners for the MVP award after helping the Houston Rockets topple the New York Knicks, 129-122, behind 53 points, 16 rebounds and 17 assists. It was not just a simple triple-double as the 27-year-old became the first player in National Basketball Association history to have a 50-point, 15-rebound, 15-assist triple-double, Sports Illustrated reported.
The former Arizona State University baller also eclipsed his former career-high of 51 points he set in April 2015 and tied his career high in assists and was a rebound away from his career high in rebounds. He also matched Wilt Chamberlain's record of most points in a triple-double.
Eight of Harden's 17 assists benefitted three-pointers so he is accountable for 95 points of the Rockets' 129 points, just behind the scoring impact of Chamberlain's 100-point game in which he also had two assists for the record of 104 points.
Before the game, Russell Westbrook looked to be running away with the MVP award but Harden made a statement that he is one not to be counted out. Westbrook, who has by far 16 triple-doubles this season, may be the ranked first in NBA.com's Race to the MVP Ladder but the Rockets star may soon find his way back on top if his magnificent play continues in 2017.
It would be a tough battle for both teammates as Westbrook is averaging a triple-double this season of 30.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.7 assists while Harden is averaging 28.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and a league-leading 12.0 assists.
Watch the video below to see how the two ranks against each other:
