Worth a Dime: James Harden favored to lead NBA in assists in 2022

James Harden had the kind of season in 2020-21 that most players would like to forget. The nine-time All-Star reported to training camp late and out of shape, and was eviscerated by the media for forcing a trade to Brooklyn. He then suffered a pair of debilitating hamstring injuries, and was unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs in the second round.

Fortunately, Oddsmakers expect much smoother sailing for "The Beard" in his second season with the Nets, as the former MVP is heavily favored to lead the NBA in assists in 2021-22.

Will Harden top the league in helpers for just the second time in his career? Let’s examine the case for and against Brooklyn’s leading distributor.

The case for James Harden

Many experts wondered how Harden would fit on the Nets when he was dealt to Brooklyn on Jan. 13. After all, the team already had a pair of ball dominant alphas in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and adding another high-usage star to the mix seemed like a recipe for disaster.

The former Sixth Man of the Year promptly allayed those concerns by assuming the role of the team’s chief facilitator. Harden dropped 14 dimes in his Nets debut and had 10 assists or more in 11 of his first 12 games with the franchise. He still scored plenty of points, of course, but the longtime Rocket prioritized setting up his teammates over hunting his own shots, and showed a genuine willingness to keep the ball moving. Harden's selflessness helped Brooklyn achieve the NBA’s best offensive rating and resulted in him averaging 10.9 assists per game.

As he enters his first full season in Brooklyn, there’s every reason to believe Harden can build upon last year’s success. A full training camp under Steve Nash should make a world of difference, and the Nets’ recent acquisition of Patty Mills gives him another reliable target. The Australian star was one of the top scorers at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and he should feast on the kinds of open looks he’ll receive playing alongside Brooklyn’s Big 3.

The case against James Harden

Harden isn’t the only player primed for a successful season. Trae Young is just 22 years old and is fresh off a dazzling postseason in which he led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals and averaged 9.5 assists per game.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic was also magnificent in the playoffs, dishing out 14 assists in two of his final three games against the Los Angeles Clippers. His size, strength, and savvy make him one of the NBA’s toughest checks. Harden’s former teammate, Russell Westbrook, is also a looming threat. "The Brodie" has led the league in assists in three of the last four years and now has a pair of potent new targets in Anthony Davis and LeBron James. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Westbrook's shot attempts drop and assist totals rise as he continues to chase the first ring of his career.

Bettors should also be leery of Harden’s health. The three-time scoring champ will turn 32 at the end of August and only played 44 games last season due to ongoing issues with his hamstrings. He’ll likely be in better shape when training camp begins after a long summer of rest and rehab, but those are the kinds of issues that can linger as players age.

It’s isn’t hard to back Harden

Harden’s age is a legitimate concern, but he’s in the perfect position to succeed in Brooklyn, where he’s coached by a Hall of Fame point guard and flanked by a pair of future Hall of Fame running mates. Roles have been clearly defined among the team’s Big 3, and "The Beard" will be free to run the show while Irving spends more time off the ball.

Back Harden, and pray that his hammies hold up over the course of a long 82-game season.