INGLEWOOD, Calif. — James Harden’s first 3-pointer Sunday night time towards the Utah Jazz positioned the LA Clippers guard second on the all-time checklist for normal season 3-point area targets made in a profession, breaking a tie with Corridor of Fame taking pictures guard Ray Allen, who made 2,973 3s from 1996 to 2014.
Harden’s milestone 3 got here rather less than six minutes into the Clippers’ 116-105 win on a jumper from the appropriate wing over the outstretched hand of Jazz ahead Lauri Markkanen.
“Unbelievable accomplishment,” mentioned Harden, who obtained the sport ball from Clippers coach Tyronn Lue after making 2 3s on the night time. “Only a testomony (to) the quantity of labor that I’ve been placing in. As I become old and chip away at an unbelievable profession, you begin to accomplish issues like that.
“So I by no means need to take it with no consideration, you recognize what I imply? I simply need to give motivation to the youth and each different one that’s chasing the dream to play skilled basketball, or no matter it’s. So it’s an honor.”
JAMES HARDEN PASSES RAY ALLEN 🚨
This 3 strikes him into 2nd ALL-TIME in three-pointers made!
CONGRATS @JHarden13 👏 pic.twitter.com/LdcF6tZhiU
— NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2024
UNO 🤝 GAME BALL
Effectively deserved recreation ball for James Harden for 2nd most threes in @NBAHistory! pic.twitter.com/zzPvrPpJOq
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 18, 2024
The one participant forward of Harden on the all-time made 3s checklist is certainly one of his high rivals: Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, who enters Monday night time’s recreation towards the Clippers with 3,782.
“I’m some of the assured guys that now we have on this league, however no, I in all probability received’t catch Steph,” Harden mentioned. “And I don’t assume anyone will, truthfully. Simply because … I don’t know man, he can shoot the s— out of the ball. And granted, plenty of these guys which can be on that checklist are catch-and-shoot gamers, proper?”
Harden added: “(There are) so many various variables to have the ability to shoot the three and make photographs and do it at an environment friendly, excessive degree. So anyone has to play an unbelievable profession, shoot the ball nicely and make plenty of 3s. And if it occurs, it’s going to be after we’re not right here anymore.”
Harden, the third decide of the 2009 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, tied Allen’s mark Friday night time in a loss towards the Houston Rockets, the franchise with which he spent the vast majority of his profession. Earlier this month, Harden mentioned he would have liked to cross Allen in both Houston or Oklahoma Metropolis however can be pleased to get it carried out at house if crucial.
After making three 3s within the first quarter Friday night time at Houston to tie Allen, cameras have been all set on Harden to interrupt the document. However Harden did not make a 3 within the second or third quarters and didn’t play within the fourth quarter with the Clippers getting blown out for a 3rd straight loss. Harden mentioned he was motivated to interrupt the document in entrance of his mom and different household in Houston.
Harden led the NBA in 3-pointers made and tried in every season from 2017-18 (his MVP marketing campaign) to 2019-20, his final full season in Houston. Lue, who was on the Boston Celtics’ teaching workers throughout Allen’s final three years with the staff from 2009 to 2012, defined how Harden’s type is totally different than Allen’s.
“Ray was extra coming off screens, catch and shoot,” Lue mentioned. “He may make a 3 off the dribble, however (there) wasn’t plenty of pick-and-rolls for him. Ray was working round, coming off double staggers and pindowns. With James, plenty of his is coming off of pick-and-roll, taking pictures that pocket 3. Or, the (isolation) with the one-on-one into the stepback, which he’s so well-known for. So (they get) them in numerous methods. However like I mentioned, each of these guys are extraordinary shooters.”
Harden is the NBA’s all-time chief in four-point performs, changing a free throw 93 occasions after getting fouled whereas making a 3-pointer. A four-point play was part of his first win as a Clipper virtually a yr in the past (Nov. 17, 2023) in an NBA Cup recreation towards the Rockets in Los Angeles.
Along with being identified for four-point performs, Harden is arguably probably the most prolific left-handed shooter of all time. He’s certainly one of 14 left-handed gamers to hit no less than 1,000 profession 3s, and he’s the one left-handed participant to ever exceed 2,000 makes.
Whereas Curry is on tempo to exceed the 4,000 profession 3s later this season, Harden is on monitor to hitch him within the 3,000 3-point membership subsequent month. Out of 149 gamers to play in no less than 1,000 video games, no participant has made extra 3s per recreation than Harden at 2.7; solely Allen (2.3 in 1,300 video games) and 17-year professional Kyle Korver (2.0 in 1,232 video games) have averaged no less than two per recreation.
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(Photograph: Harry How / Getty Pictures)
