Brooklyn’s Big 3 officially became an All-Star 3 when James Harden was appointed to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the March 7 All-Star Game.
It is the first time that the Nets have three All-Stars in the same season.
Durant and Irving were selected as starters, and Harden will go to Atlanta as a reserve, having just been defeated by Irving in the vote between Eastern Conference guards. But considering Harden’s stellar game since joining the Nets, he’s closer to being a MVP candidate than being an All-Star snob.
“James, I mean, clearly an All-Star, player from all over the world has brought a lot to our team: leadership, game and goalkeeper,” said Brooklyn coach Steve Nash, before the official announcement on Tuesday night at TNT. “He’s been excellent. We are grateful to have you. “
It was the ninth consecutive year that Harden was named All-Star, the second longest streak of those teams, after only 17 consecutive LeBron James. (Durant was named in the last 11 seasons he played, losing 2019-20 after Achilles surgery).
“For the All-Star game, this is always a blessing. It means that you are doing something right, it means that you are playing extremely well up to that point, ”said Harden, scoring 29 points and 14 assists and 11 rebounds in the Nets’ 127-118 victory over the Kings on Tuesday. “You never want to take opportunities like this for granted. So, I am blessed. I am lucky to be part of my ninth All-Star game. “
As a leader in obtaining votes at the Eastern Conference, Durant will be the captain and choose Team Durant. He will choose against James in the 2021 NBA All-Star Draft, scheduled to air on TNT on March 4 at 8pm.
With James getting first choice in the first round (when beginners are selected), it means that Durant will have the first choice from the reserve pool. It is difficult to imagine a better resume than Harden, who is defending another MVP trophy.
Since joining the Nets in a four-team mega-negotiation, Harden arrived on Tuesday with an average of 24.9 points out of 50.2 percent overall fire and 41 percent depth. But even more than his own offense, he made everyone else better.
He saw a team from Brooklyn that fought on the glass, so he averaged 8.3 rebounds, in pace for a career record. He took an elite bout and made it historic, giving out 11.4 assists, the league record – in pace for another career best.
“I don’t want to diminish how big it is, because I kind of expected it; you’ve seen him play so many times, ”said Nash. “I will say this: it is even more impressive when he is on his team and is throwing back 3s in times of crisis. It’s a beautiful thing to have in your arsenal.
“I would say that what impressed me most, being here working with him, is his leadership, his attitude, his commitment. A total professional, and he has been such an important piece, not only on the ground, but in the way he has been a leader for this group. This, for me, did not know what to expect and it has been amazing to see what kind of leader and professional he is. “
That leadership was evident with Harden not only helping Brooklyn to survive, but also thriving during Durant’s absence from five games through injury. The Nets are 13-5 when Harden plays and 5-1 when he starts alongside Durant and Irving.
“He is a very willing passer. He’s a smart player. He understands, ”said Landry Shamet. “He understands what defenses are trying to do most of the time, and he is a guy who wants to involve others because he understands the value of this not only for himself, but for the rest of the team.
“It was great to play with him. He is a good leader, a good communicator, and we also continue to grow. There is still a lot of room for us to grow and develop. But he looks great. “
The Nets have had no 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 at ABA and in the midst of a nomadic existence. This Big 3 offers a different level of promise … and a chance for an NBA title.