The Philadelphia 76ers got off to the worst possible start this season by losing their first three games. However, on Monday night they picked up their first win against the Indiana Pacers and, as has usually been the case this season, James Harden led the charge.

Since the start of the 2020 season, Harden has struggled with his conditioning and a persistent hamstring injury, which has led him to three different teams and a cast of characters saying his best years were behind him. But this off-season he made a point of working on his body, to get back in the shape that allowed him to be one of the best players in the NBA just a few years ago. And it appears his weight and injury problems are now behind him.

Harden dropped 30 points in each of the first two games of the season before a disappointing 4/18 shooting display against the San Antonio Spurs but against the Pacers, James was in full control. Finishing with 29 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals and just a single turnover. While shooting 10/18 from the field, 5/10 from deep and 100% at the free throw line.

The burst of speed to get to the rim from the perimeter is back for Harden and it is striking fear into defenses, giving him easier looks from deep and more open teammates.

At the start of October, Doc Rivers said he expected James Harden to be like "a scoring Magic Johnson" this season. Still providing the excellent facilitation he did in his end of season stint last season but also being one of the most dominant scorers in the NBA. So far he's fulfilling expectations and he & the team haven't really got going yet.

Last season, in 65 games between the Brooklyn Nets & 76ers, James Harden averaged 22 points, 7.7 rebounds & 10.3 assists with shooting splits of 48/33/88. His points per game and shooting percentages well below his career averages. In the opening four games of this season, Harden is putting up a near 27 point triple double on sustainable efficiency (26.8 pts, 8.5 reb, 9.8 ast & 1.3 stl-Shooting splits of 57%, 37.5% & 96%).

Yes, we are looking at a very small sample size. We are only four games into the new NBA season. ‍But all things considered, James Harden finally looks like James Harden again and the 76ers will only get better from here on in!

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(PHOTO CREDIT- Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports)