Nets stars Kyrie Irving and James Harden recently had a brief conversation during practice to determine who would be the point guard for the team.
“I feel like he’s doing a great job only leading the point guard role,” Irving said after Brooklyn’s 134-117 win over the Warriors Saturday night. ‘We determined that maybe four days ago. I just looked at him and said, “You’re the point guard, and I’m going to play shooting guard.” That was as simple as that. He takes over responsibility and does a fantastic job. It just makes my job easier to just go out and play for free and just play. It’s a luxury. I just want to keep going. “
A two-time assists leader, Harden is on track to compete for the third time in that category as he leads the league with 11.0 assists per game.
“It’s easy to outplay someone who’s willing to compliment your game and willing to sacrifice, and it’s easier to do that for me,” said Irving. “I think I’ve been waiting for this opportunity to show that playing with other great players, not just a (Team) USA or All-Star game, but being able to fit in a high-level group, just by scoring or passing., just keep doing the little things and the details to win. That’s all I’m focused on. “
This season, Irving was as deadly a goalscorer as ever, averaging career highs in field goal percentage (.522), free throw percentage (.950) and points per game (27.9).
Harden ranks ninth on the NBA usage rate scoreboard (30.58) Kevin Durant ranks 12th (30.16) and Irving 16th (29.29). However, the NBA’s three-time scoring leader knew his score would diminish if he came to the Nets and was the main playmaker, as he noted in late January.
Harden echoed a similar sentiment after Brooklyn’s victory over Golden State.
“I came to this team knowing they have two special scorers on this team,” said Harden. “Obviously I score when I need to, but as long as I get everyone involved and Kyrie gets the shots he wants, KD gets the shots he wants, it’s pretty efficient. That way it seems to work fine. “
For Irving it is not the first time that he has played off the ball and has shared duties. He did that next to LeBron James during their time with the Cavaliers. In Cleveland, Irving managed to win a championship alongside James, and he believes he can win another as part of Brooklyn’s talented trio.
“I think this just goes back to what I’ve been saying for the past few weeks, it just doesn’t take a day for granted,” said Irving. “We don’t want to take our greatness for granted in terms of where it is now, and then we want to hold each other accountable to get to another level in the long run.”
Brooklyn is now the third seed in the East, only 2.5 games behind in first place.
“I’m just trying to build some camaraderie and just have fun dominating,” said Irving after Brooklyn’s trio only played their sixth game together.
On Tuesday, February 9, Irving warned the rest of the league what would happen if the Nets collectively turned the corner.
“I’m telling you the league will be announced when that happens,” Irving stated.
You can follow Michael Scotto on Twitter: @MikeAScotto