Nets Insider Videos
Nets' big three expected to play Saturday versus Bulls
Sixers' magic number to clinch top seed in East still at one, Nets hope Magic strikes twice
James Harden should win NBA's MVP Award after transforming Nets into title favorites
It's the Larry O'Brien Trophy that has eluded Harden throughout his legendary 13-year career. Critics pick apart his offensive game calling him too isolation-heavy with his usage rate through the roof when he was in Houston. Detractors of Harden's game compare his defensive effort and intensity to a matador and question his willingness to play both ends of the floor.
Upon his trade to Brooklyn, after an unceremonious departure from the Rockets, Harden instantly transformed a Nets squad that was hovering barely above .500 with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in and out of the lineup, into instant title favorites. The Nets gaining separation from the rest of the Eastern Conference pack has been largely on the Harden's shoulders as he sacrificed a great deal of his scoring mentality to take on more of a distributor role.
Averaging 11 assists, 8.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals to go along with 25.1 points on 47.1 perecnt of the field, Harden is playing the best overall basketball of his career. With all due respect to Jason Kidd, Harden is playing at a higher level than any player to ever don a Nets uniform during their NBA era. Harden is not only a triple-double threat, but he is making an impact in every aspect of the game. The point guard is making high level decisions with the basketball on the fly, while showcasing an active voice on the floor and in the locker room to put his teammates in the best position to succeed. Extrapolate Harden's numbers over 6o or more games with the Nets, and Brooklyn might very well have the NBA's top record and the perennial All-Star would be well on his way to a second MVP Award.
Nets need to prepare for playoff run and seasons to come without Spencer Dinwiddie
Nets still in play for top playoff seed in East
Spencer Dinwiddie progressing in rehab, Nets leave door open for return in time for playoffs
Spencer Dinwiddie has been sidelined since December 27 when he partially tore his ACL in just the Nets third game of the season. It's been a long journey back for Brooklyn's sixth man of the year candidate, who tore his ACL as a junior in college at Colorado and opted to forgo his senior season by declaring for the 2014 NBA draft. The Pistons selected the 6-foot-6 guard in the second round, but he flourished under Kenny Atkinson and the Nets starting in 2016.
The Nets have an embarrassment of riches on offense and while Dinwiddie is a dynamic scoring threat, his biggest value is in his fearless dives to the rim to draw fouls and open space for shooters.
Steve Nash wouldn't commit to Dinwiddie's return to the court, but an x-factor of his caliber would make all the difference in a potential series against the Bucks or Sixers, or dare we say whatever opponent awaits the Nets in the NBA finals.