“The way Harden is playing isn’t going to be enough if Kyrie doesn’t come back”

It’s no secret that James Harden does not play his best basketball and fails to provide the necessary score for Brooklyn Nets. True, they are missing a third member of their top 3, but Kevin Durant and Harden could still wreak havoc for the Hunts.

James Harden’s unimpressive form run has not gone unnoticed, as experts are beginning to question the Hunts’ ability to compete for the 2022 NBA Championship. In the “Dispute Point” podcast on The Athletic NBA Show, basketball analysts gathered to discuss several issues, including the state of the Nets.

After talking about the Golden State Warriors and Jordan Paul, program host Zach Harper asked Boston Celtics reporter Jay King about the Hunts, and he said it:

“I’m worried about the Hunts. This offense has to be global for them to win. James Harden was not James Harden.”

He added:

“He’s not moving the same way. He’s not in charge of the same calls. Definitely, I think he’s had four games with at least six free throw attempts all season, and that’s not James Harden even with the new rules.”

“I’m just saying he’s not the same as he used to be. I do not know if it’s because he’s not fit, I do not know if it’s because of last year’s mastering, I do not know if it’s just getting older. And if it gets old they are in trouble, if it does not get old. “They’ll be fine, and I’ll look like an idiot. But I do think Harden, the way he plays just won’t be enough if Kyrie doesn’t come back,” he claimed.

Jay said it was time to panic for the Nets. On a scale of 1-10, he selected five as a degree of panic for the New York team.

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Does the Brooklyn Nets have a chance given James Harden’s poor fitness and Kyrie Irving’s absence?

With Durant on your team, victory is almost guaranteed, which is why the Nets still have a decent chance of winning the 2022 NBA title, even without Kyrie Irving. But James Harden needs to channel the winning campaign into his MVP.

Factors like changing the ball, and especially changing the rules on players initiating contact to commit offenses, have influenced James Harden so far this season. Although he is starting to make more trips to the line compared to his first five games, he is still not playing at his highest level.

So far this season, James Harden has averaged 20.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists while scoring 43.2% from the field (the lowest since the rookie season). Although these may seem like excellent numbers, they are not Harden numbers.

Since the 2016-17 season, if Harden had not averaged 30+ points per game then his assists average reaches double digits. Unfortunately, it does not function at the rate of efficiency.

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The Nets undoubtedly have the tools to win the title without Irving. But they desperately need a spark now, and Kyrie may be the answer.

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