James Harden Talks Step-Back Imitators: 'I'm a Creator, Game Changer'
Rockets guard James Harden has revolutionized the NBA with his step-back jumper, leaning on his signature move to average 36.1 points per game in 2018-19. The move has spawned plenty of imitators over the last two seasons, a development Harden considers a compliment.
"I'm a creator, game changer," Harden told the media before Rockets' practice at the Toyota Center on Tuesday. "I'm here to inspire, whether it's the youth or my peers. As long as I'm doing that, I'm doing something right."
Harden may have his imitators, though no player has come close to matching his step-back sorcery in recent seasons. The Beard tallied 1,415 point in isolation situations last season, and he lapped the field of competitors behind him. No. 2 isolation scorer DeMar DeRozan scored just 316 iso points last season; Kevin Durant finished third with 301. Harden scored more isolation points in 2018-19 than the combined iso points from the league's No. 2 through No. 6 iso scorers.
The historic isolation production wasn't just due to significant volume, either. Of the 94 players to tally at least 50 isolation possessions last season, Harden led the league in points per isolation possession at 1.11 PPP. The Bucks' Khris Middleton finished second with 1.09 points per possession.
Perhaps Harden will battle Steph Curry for the isolation leaderboard in 2019-20, at least in points per possession. But the data from last season was undeniable. Harden unleashed the greatest isolation scoring season this decade, creating a legion of imitators throughout the NBA.
