Khris Middleton And The Value of Real Plus-Minus
By Adam McGee
Mar 21, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) brings the ball up the court during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
2. James Harden
Contract Next Season: $15,756,438
Harden will always be remembered for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s decision to trade him away, and what that could ultimately cost them in the grander scheme of things, but he’s done more than enough to be a standout in his own right since landing in Houston.
Harden is an offensive fire-cracker with his combination of isolation moves and spot-up shooting, but it’s the improvements in his game that really jump of the page.
The defense that people used to laugh at Harden for has changed dramatically over the past few months. He now holds a defensive rating of 100.8, and is noticeably more engaged when the opposition have the ball. If Harden can continue to hone that part of his game, the rest of the NBA needs to look out.