Brooklyn’s Big 3 officially became All-Star 3 when James Harden was named to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the March 7 All-Star Game.
This is the first time the Nets have had three All-Stars in the same season.
Durant and Irving had been selected as beginners, and Harden would head to Atlanta as a reserve, just removed by Irving in the Eastern Conference Guard vote. But given Harden’s stellar game since joining the Nets, he’s closer to being a MVP competitor than he was to being an All-Star snub.
“James, I mean clearly, an All-Star player from all over the world has brought so much to our team: driving, playing and scoring the ball,” Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said before the announcement. officially on Tuesday night on TNT. “It simply came to our notice then. We are grateful to have him. ”
It marked the ninth consecutive year Harden was named All-Star, the second longest active series of such selections behind the 17 rows of LeBron James. (Durant has been named in the last 11 seasons he has played, missing 2019-20 after Achilles’ surgery).
“For the All-Star game, this is always a blessing. That means you’re doing something right, that means you’re playing extremely well so far, “Harden said, scoring 29 points to go along with 14 assists and 11 rebounds in the Nets’ 127-118 victory over the Kings on Tuesday. “You never want to take advantage of opportunities like this. So I’m blessed. I’m lucky to be part of the ninth All-Star game.”
As the leader in obtaining votes at the Eastern Conference, Durant will win and choose the Durant team. He will play against James in the 2021 NBA All-Star Draft, which will be televised on TNT on March 4 at 8 p.m.
With James getting the best pick in the first round (when the rookies are selected), that means Durant will get the first pick from the reserve. It’s hard to imagine a better resume than Harden, who supports another MVP trophy.
Since joining the Nets in a four-team mega-trade, Harden has averaged 24.9 points on Tuesday at 50.2 percent overall and 41 percent deep. But even more than his own offense, he made everyone else better.
He saw a team from Brooklyn that had been fighting on the glass, so he got an average of 8.3 rebounds, at the maximum pace of his career. He committed an elite offense and made it historic, providing 11.4 assists at the league level – at the pace for another career.
“I don’t want to diminish how big it is, because I was expecting it; You’ve seen him play so many times, “Nash said. “I will say this: it is even more impressive when he is in your team and throws in the 3-back in a short time. This is a beautiful thing to have in your arsenal.
“I would say, however, what struck me most, the fact that I work here with him, is his leadership, his attitude, his commitment. A total professional and he was such an important piece, not only on the floor, but also by the way he was a leader in this group. For me, I didn’t know what to expect and it was amazing to see what kind of leader and professional he is. ”
This leadership was evident with Harden, who not only helped Brooklyn survive, but also developed during Durant’s absence in five games. The Nets are 13-5 when Harden plays and 5-1 when he starts with Durant and Irving.
“He is a very willing passer-by. He is a smart player. He receives it “, said Landry Shamet. “He understands what defense attempts he is trying to make most of the time and he is a guy who wants to involve others, because he understands his value not only for himself, but also for the rest of the team.
“It was great to play with him. He is a good leader, a good communicator and we continue to grow. We have enough space left to grow and develop. But it was great. ”
The Nets have not had more than two All-Stars since Julius Erving, Larry Kenon, Billy Paultz and Brian Taylor made the cut in 1974-75. But then they were still in the ABA and in the middle of a nomadic existence. This Big 3 offers a different level of promise … and a shot at an NBA title.