Fear The Beard: James Harden on roll, revives Houston

• Pelicans vs. Rockets (8 ET, Tuesday on TNT)

HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden has been scoring at a pace not seen since Wilt Chamberlain in the 1960s.

Of course, he is not inclined to discuss it, regardless of how things are going. But his delight is evident as his scoring surge coincides with Houston’s rise in the rankings, bouncing back amongst the leading teams in the Western Conference after a slump at the start of the season. He always refrains from discussing it, whether things are progressing favorably or not.

“He said, “I love to hoop. I love just being out there and embracing the grind.”

• About Last Night: Harden’s streak rolls on

On Sunday night, he scored 40 points during Houston’s victory over Orlando, lengthening his run of consecutive 30-point games to 23. This streak is the fourth longest in NBA history, with only three longer streaks by Chamberlain. This season’s previous MVP has averaged 44.1 points in 13 matches this month. In January, he has achieved a minimum of 40 points in eight matches, inclusive of two 50-point games and a record-breaking 61 points for the franchise in a win against the Knicks.

“Remarkable,” said teammate Eric Gordon. “I’ve had the privilege of playing with many big-time players, but he is undeniably the best scorer I’ve ever encountered. His scoring ability is effortless. It’s a testament to his skills. He’s one of the greatest scorers of all time.”

Not only has Harden’s work amazed his teammates, but Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who was part of the Rockets team from 2011-16, also spoke highly of him.

“He was impressive when we departed from here, but mysteriously, he has improved even more,” he acknowledged. “He was the MVP last year, and now he’s surpassed that level. It’s a testament to his dedication, work ethic, and fervor for the game.”

Last season, Harden topped the league in scoring for the first time, averaging 30.43 points per game. However, due to injuries to Chris Paul and Clint Capela this year, he has had to shoulder a larger responsibility, resulting in him averaging an NBA-best 36.33 points per game.

If he maintains this pace for the rest of the season, he would become the first player to average over 36 points per game since Michael Jordan’s 37.09 average in 1986-87. If the season were to conclude today, Harden’s scoring average would be the seventh highest in NBA history, surpassed only by Jordan’s fifth-ranked season and five seasons by Chamberlain.

With an average that’s seven points higher than Steph Curry and Anthony Davis’s tied second place of 29.3 points per game, Harden stands out. Despite his high scoring, he doesn’t neglect his teammates and ensures their involvement. His 8.2 assists per game put him in a tie for the league’s fourth position.

“Harden said, “I’m aware that I draw a lot of attention on the court, and that the defense is always focused on me. So, I try to assist my teammates in finding scoring opportunities to make things easier for them.”

Harden’s continuous scoring spree has stirred a search among opponents for strategies to restrain him. The diverse methods teams have tried against him often become a topic of discussion and they seem to amuse him due to their varying tactics.

“He said, “I’ve been encountering double teams, triple teams, zones. I’ve seen it all in the past few weeks.””

In this streak, limiting Harden to under 40 points has been considered an achievement by more than one opposing coach.

Kenneth Faried, who recently inked a deal with Houston, has had prior experience defending Harden and shared the approach he took when confronted with that challenge.

“Mark my words, he’s definitely scoring 30,” Faried stated. “That’s inevitable. Our main concern should be to prevent him from reaching 60 points.”

Following his 61-point performance at Madison Square Garden, the Beard was questioned if he feels like he’s currently unstoppable.

“With a sly smile and laugh, he said, “I’ve always had that feeling, I mean. I’m not sure about now, but I’ve always experienced it. It’s simply confidence, nothing more.”

Paul, who was absent for 17 games, made his return over the weekend. During his absence, Houston managed a 12-5 record. The Rockets, having won three consecutive games, now stand at a 29-20 record and occupy the fifth spot in the Western Conference. Despite their progress from a poor start that had them near the Western Conference’s bottom, both Harden and the rest of the Houston team acknowledge the need for significant improvement if they aim to secure the team’s first title since 1995.

Harden asserts that his high scoring discussions are not to his liking, which is why those close to him understand that it’s a topic best avoided.

“He said, ‘No one is allowed to praise me. I don’t want my friends and family discussing it. We still have a long way to go.'”