Imagine a basketball season so extraordinary that it defies all odds, unfolding amidst a global pandemic and still delivering jaw-dropping performances. That’s exactly what the 2019-20 NBA season was—and at its heart was James Harden, the undisputed Scoring Champion. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Harden’s dominance a product of sheer skill, or did the extended season and unique circumstances play a role? Let’s dive in.
The 2019-20 season was unlike any other. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a worldwide lockdown, the NBA halted operations in March, only to resume months later. The regular season stretched from late October 2019 to mid-August 2020, with the playoffs spilling into October. Amid this chaos, Harden shone brighter than ever. Playing for the Houston Rockets, the star shooting guard averaged a staggering 34.3 points per game, securing his place as the league’s top scorer. He wasn’t alone in the 30-point club—Bradley Beal (30.5 ppg) and Damian Lillard (30.0 ppg) joined him—but Harden’s consistency set him apart. Trae Young (29.6 ppg) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.5 ppg) rounded out the top five.
And this is the part most people miss: Harden’s scoring wasn’t just about volume; it was about explosiveness. On November 30, 2019, he dropped 60 points in a 158-111 rout of the Atlanta Hawks, shooting an efficient 16-24 from the field, 8-14 from three-point range, and 20-23 from the free-throw line. Oh, and he added 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block in just 31 minutes. That was just one of five 50-point games he had that season—a feat matched by few in NBA history.
His other 50-point outbursts? A 59-point masterpiece against the Wizards, a 55-point effort versus the Cavaliers, 54 points against the Magic, and 50 points in a double-overtime loss to the Spurs. The Rockets went 4-1 in those games, proving Harden’s heroics often translated to wins. He also scored 40 or more points in 21 games and hit the 30-point mark in 44 of his 68 appearances—a mind-boggling level of consistency.
But Harden wasn’t just a scorer. He finished with 22 double-doubles and 4 triple-doubles, showcasing his all-around brilliance. His best triple-double? A 44-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist performance in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers. For a guard, his rebounding was exceptional—he grabbed 15 or more boards in two games, a rarity for a backcourt player. He also dished out 10 or more assists in 15 games, proving he was more than just a one-dimensional star.
By season’s end, Harden’s stats were jaw-dropping: 34.3 points, 7.5 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game in 36.5 minutes. He earned a spot in the 2020 All-Star Game and the All-NBA First Team, finishing third in MVP voting behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. Yet, despite his heroics, the Rockets fell to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals, leaving fans to wonder: Could Harden have led Houston to a title in a ‘normal’ season?
In the playoffs, Harden averaged 29.6 points, 7.7 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks while shooting 47.8% from the field and 33.3% from three. His postseason performance was solid, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ juggernaut. Here’s the question for you: Was Harden’s 2019-20 season the peak of individual greatness, or did the unique circumstances of that year inflate his numbers? Let’s debate in the comments!
