Houston Rockets star James Harden is having (another) season for the ages, averaging a stunning 38.9 points per game and changing the way the basketball world views elite scorers in the process.

It’s been remarkable watching Harden put the ball through the basket at such an incredible rate and his pursuit of a possible 40 points per game average for the season will be one of the most captivating individual storylines for the remainder of the NBA season.

And it’s not just fans and media members that are marveling at Harden’s exploits. He’s also captured the attention of his fellow players, and one of the best, Los Angeles Lakers’ star Anthony Davis, spoke about Harden on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday.

Patrick asked Davis who the best player he’s played against this season was and Davis started by saying he can’t single any one player out yet because they haven’t played everyone, and that’s when the conversation shifted to Harden, with Davis joking that “James is averaging 100 points a game.” Davis and his Lakers will get their first look at Harden and the Rockets on January 18 in Houston.

The mention of Harden and the Rockets prompted Patrick to ask Davis if he thought Harden would score 70 or 80 in a game.

Here is how Davis responded:

“For sure. I mean the things he’s able to do on the basketball floor is unreal. We haven’t seen anyone like it. You know, to get to the free-throw line with ease, his step-back, he’s able to pass, so I think it’s definitely coming.”

Here’s video of the exchange, with the Harden/Rockets discussion starting at the seven-minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RUoSXecZb8&feature=youtu.be

Aside from the fact that it’s high praise coming from one of the best players in the league, a few things stand out in Davis’ comments.

Harden has turned getting to the free-throw line into an art form and it’s something we now see other players trying to emulate. However, he has also drawn criticism from some fans for the style, who have used it to try to discredit his scoring prowess.

Harden’s response? He recently put up back-to-back 50-point games without taking more than six free-throws in either game. Clearly, Harden has weaponized free throws in a way we haven’t seen, but it’s really just a small part of what makes his so great.

It was also interesting to hear Davis mention Harden’s passing. Another knock on Harden from his detractors is that he’s a gunner who scores at the detriment of his team. Harden’s 7.4 assists per game (No. 7 in the NBA) and Houston’s 18-9 record easily dispell that narrative, but having one of the best players in the game mention it doesn’t hurt either.

Davis feels like a 70 or 80-point outburst from Harden is “definitely coming,” and it’s hard to argue against it. Harden has already dropped 60 in just 31 minutes this season against the Hawks, and the game being a blowout was the only thing that prevented him from scoring more.

Harden has become one of the most polarizing players in the league, but it’s clear he has the respect of his colleagues. It would probably be wise for the rest of the basketball world to get on board and enjoy the show, before it’s too late.