The Brooklyn Big 3 officially became an All-Star 3, when James Harden was nominated to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the March 7 All-Star Game.
It is the first time the Nets have three All-Stars in the same season.
Durant and Irving had been selected as incumbents, and Harden will head to Atlanta as a reserve, having just been eliminated by Irving in the Eastern Conference Guards vote. But considering Harden’s stellar game since joining the Nets, he’s closer to being an aspiring MVP than being an All-Star snub.
“James, I mean, it’s clear that a player from all the stars in the world has contributed a lot to our team – leadership, game making and ball scoring,” Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said before the ‘s official announcement on Tuesday night on TNT. “It simply came to our notice then. We are grateful to have him. “
It marked the ninth consecutive year that Harden has been named All-Star, the second active streak of these selections behind LeBron James ’17th in a row. (Durant has been named Durant in the last 11 seasons he has played, disappearing in 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 really well so far, ”Harden said scoring 29 points to add 14 assists and 11 rebounds in the Nets’ win over the Kings on Tuesday 127-118 “You never want to give opportunities like this of course. So I’m blessed. I’m lucky to be a part of my ninth All-Star Game.”
As the leader in getting votes in the Eastern Conference, Durant will be the captain and choose the Durant team. He will play against James in the 2021 NBA All-Star Draft, which will be screened on TNT television on March 4 at 8 p.m.
With James getting the best selection in the first round (when the headlines are selected), that means Durant will get the first choice of the reserve. It’s hard to imagine a better resume than Harden, who advocates another MVP trophy.
Since joining the Nets in a four-team mega trade, Harden reached an average of 24.9 points on Tuesday in a 50.2% blank shot and 41% depth. But even more than his own offense, it has made everyone better.
He saw a Brooklyn team that had struggled on the glass, so he averaged 8.3 rebounds, at the pace of a maximum run. He has committed an elite offensive and made it historic, handing out 11.4 maximum assists in the league – the pace of another better career.
“I don’t want to reduce how big it is, because I was expecting a little; you’ve seen him play so many times, ”Nash said.“ I’m going to say this: it’s even more impressive when he’s on your team and throws three steps back in times of crisis. That’s nice to have in your arsenal.
“I would say, however, that what struck me most was being here working with him, his leadership, his attitude, his commitment. A total professional, and he has been such an important piece, not only on the ground, but for the way he has been the leader of 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 has been evident with Harden, not only helping Brooklyn survive, but thriving during the absence of Durant’s five-game injuries. The Nets are 13-5 when Harden plays and 5-1 when he starts alongside Durant and Irving.
“He is a very willing pedestrian. He is a smart player. He gets it, ”Landry Shamet said.“ He understands what the defenses are trying to do most of the time, and he’s a guy who wants to involve others because he understands the value of that not just to himself but to the rest of the world. ‘team.
“It was great to play with him. He is a good leader, a good communicator and we also keep growing. We have a lot of space left to grow and develop. But it’s been 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 that was when they were still in the ABA and in the middle of a nomadic existence. This Big 3 offers a different level of promise … and an NBA title.