After James Harden registered his seventh triple-double since joining the Brooklyn Nets in a 124-113 victory in overtime on the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, his teammate Kyrie Irving did not blink.
“We have to implement the phrase ‘get used’,” said Irving with a smile.
It did not disturb Irving that – according to Elias Sports Bureau research – Harden became the first player to record 30 points, 15 assists and at least 10 rebounds with zero turnovers since individual turnovers were first tracked in 1977-78 . Harden finished with 14 rebounds in the night.
“When James is being James,” said Irving, “it makes our job a lot easier. And then we have to get used to someone special like that, things like that in terms of breaking records. So I can’t wait to be right next to him, my name in the history of Nets – and all the guys on our team where we’re just breaking records as a team, and then individually we’re stacking up some of the best they’ve ever played.
Seven double triples is also the maximum in a season for a Nets player since Jason Kidd had 12 in 2007-08, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
After making six turnovers in the Nets’ loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Harden promised to be more careful when dealing with basketball.
“If I am the point guard,” said Harden on Monday, “and my teammates and coaching staff are giving me the responsibility to handle basketball, I have to do a very good job with my passes, making them accurate. and not just giving points away. “
After a 10-0 run on Monday night, the Spurs were able to force the overtime on a Dejounte Murray horn.
The Nets went up two digits, with just under four minutes left to the end of the regulatory period, before allowing the Spurs to continue. Harden said he was pleased with how the Nets reoriented themselves in overtime.
“We heard about not being a very good defensive team,” said Harden. “We are realizing this and finding ways to improve.”
The Nets have a game before the All-Star break – against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. It will also be the first time that Harden has faced his former team.
“We are excited to play basketball, to go back to where James had a great career,” said Irving. “Looking forward to the experience, looking forward to having fun. It will be highly competitive, many great players, with no animosity on the court: just greatness on display.”
Irving added: “Everyone at home, have fun with the game, there will be no tension and no conversation, on the court or about James in my presence or in the presence of anyone else. So we are going to Houston to enjoy the game of basketball and playing it at a high level on behalf of James and the rest of the guys, because we know it’s a special night anyway. “