In his two games back from the health and safety protocols, James Harden has put up averages of 37.5 points, 12.5 assists and 9.0 rebounds per game.
As a result, the Nets have beaten both the Lakers and Clippers in their own building.
“I was starting to feel good right before (entering the protocols December 14),” Harden said. “Like body starting to feel good. That break, or COVID, or protocol, or rest, whatever you want to call it, it could have went two ways. I just overly locked in on my body, my eating, and when I was able to start working out, my workouts.”
With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and LaMarcus Aldridge all set to return from health and safety protocols, Harden feels great about where the Nets are headed.
“Confidence is through the roof,” Harden said. “Now just you add KD, and Kai, and LaMarcus and Joe Harris (out due to ankle injury), and that’s four of our best players, four of our top players that are out. Our confidence level for our bench and guys that are in the game is high.”
More Nets Notes
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- Irving is set to return to the Nets after a ramp-up period, as he’s currently only eligible for road games. Harden seems happy to have his backcourt partner back. “Obviously, we all know how special of a talent Kyrie is and what he means to this organization and our team,” Harden said. “So just to be around him, even if it’s only for road games, will be huge for us. He obviously makes all of our jobs a lot easier, but just having him around and obviously he’s a very, very skilled basketball player. But just having his personality around the team now.”
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Nic Claxton drew a lot of buzz for his posterizing slam on LeBron James, calling it the most memorable moment of his career. “It’s definitely good in growing confidence,” Claxton said. “The coaching staff trusting me to finish big games and my teammates trusting me to go out and make plays. James having that trust to even throw that pass like that, it says a lot about the way he feels about me. I went out and made it happen, so my confidence is definitely growing. I’m looking forward to just continuing to do what I’m doing and the sky’s the limit.”
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The Nets have signed Langston Galloway to a second 10-day contract, they said in a press release. He’s averaging 3.0 points per game in four appearances.
