Nowadays, when talking about the best players in basketball, it’s usually a conversation between three names: LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But considering the recent play of James Harden and Damian Lillard, is it time they are included in that conversation? According to former NBA big man Kendrick Perkins, they should.
Right now I don’t know who’s the Best Player right now in the NBA between Dame Dolla and James Harden!!! They both have been putting a SHOW down there in the Bubble.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) August 19, 2020
In seven games played at the bubble, Harden scored 34.1 points per game on 53.9% shooting from the field and 37.8% on 3-pointers. He also averaged 8.9 assists, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.7 steals in 34.5 minutes per game. In last night’s game one victory against the Thunder, without his partner Russell Westbrook, he dropped 37 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWvdNOm6GHM
As for Dame, he has also been playing out of his mind recently. Lillard averaged 37.3 points, 9.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from 3-point range in the eight bubble games. In the game-one upset against the Lakers, Dame scored 34, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 42.9% shooting.
It’s hard to argue these guys aren’t the best in the league right now, especially with the way they’re playing.
The real question, though, is whether or not it’s sustainable. Can Lillard and Harden really continue these performances for a long stretch of time? Will it be enough for them to advance?
Time will reveal all.
