Rockets: Broussard says James Harden’s numbers inflated under D’Antoni

FS1 analyst Chris Broussard believes Houston Rockets guard James Harden’s statistical accomplishments have been inflated due to the presence of Mike D’Antoni.

Houston Rockets superstar James Harden has proven to be an unstoppable force of nature, as he’s essentially thrived in any and every system. Harden immediately went from winning Sixth Man of the year as a reserve under former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks to a superstar and MVP candidate under former Rockets coach Kevin McHale.

Harden played under McHale for three full seasons from 2012-13 to 2014-15 and had the following finishes year-by-year.

• 2012-13: 25.9 points (4th), 2023 total points (5th), 12.8 total win shares (4th)
• 2013-14: 25.4 points (5th), 61.8 percent true shooting (5th), 12.8 win shares (5th)
• 2014-15: 27.4 points (2nd), 2217 total points (1st), 16.4 win shares (1st), 26.7 PER (4th)

During those three years, the Rockets’ win total increased each season, as they went 45-37 in 2012-13, 54-28 in 2013-14, and 56-26 in 2014-15. Their conference finish also improved each of those seasons, as they went from eighth place in 2012-13 to fourth place in 2013-14 to second place in 2014-15, while also making it to the Western Conference Finals that year.

But many seem to have forgotten about Harden’s success pre-Mike D’Antoni, who arrived in Houston prior to the 2016-17 season. Case in point, FS1’s Chris Broussard.

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