James Harden and Russell Westbrook face off on Wednesday night when the Houston Rockets visit the Oklahoma City Thunder. Though it's early in the campaign, Harden is threatening the put up the single most prolific offensive season in NBA history.

As for Westbrook? Merely on pace to be the fourth-most prolific. A closer look at the numbers:

Points created

If there were a mystical championship belt for the greatest offensive season in NBA history, who would own it?

- Is it Wilt Chamberlain’s 1961-62 season in which he averaged an astonishing 50.4 points per game?

- Is it Oscar Robertson’s 1961-62 season in which he averaged a triple-double?

- Or what about Tiny Archibald in 1972-73 in which he became the first and only player to lead the NBA in both points and assists per game? Most PPG Scored or Assisted On Single Season in NBA History 2016-17 James Harden 60.9* 1972-73 Tiny Archibald 56.8 1961-62 Wilt Chamberlain 55.2 2016-17 Russell Westbrook 54.7* 1961-62 Oscar Robertson 53.6 *Entering Wednesday's game

While there are certainly others in the conversation, there’s not really a clear answer. At least not yet.

Harden is currently scoring 30.3 points per game while assisting on another 30.6 points per game. Add it up, and Harden is directly responsible for 60.9 points per game, which would shatter the “record” for most in a single season.

Harden's move to point guard far more than semantics

Yes, Harden was already Houston’s primary playmaker before moving to point guard. But the degree to which its impacted his game is stunning, particularly when looking at SportVU player tracking numbers.

Last season, Harden ranked 13th in the NBA in both touches per game and total time of possession per game (in minutes). With his move to point guard, Harden now leads the NBA in both. Last season, he averaged 85 touches per game, including 6.3 minutes of possession. This season, he is up to 99 touches and 9.4 minutes of possession.

When compared to his teammates, the touches and time of possession numbers really drive home just how much Harden dominates play for Houston. Last season, his time of possession of 6.3 minutes per game was twice as much as anyone else on the Rockets. This year? He’s in possession of the ball more than five-and-a-half times as much as any teammate. Who averages the second-most time on the ball? Tyler Ennis at 1.7 minutes per game. Harden's 99 touches per game are also more than twice as much as any player on his team.

On/Off court splits

Rockets efficiencies this season Harden

On Court Harden

Off Court Offensive 114.9 84.8 Defensive 104.3 110.8 Overall +10.6 -26.0 *Efficiency = pts/100 poss.

The Rockets are a whopping 36.6 points per 100 possessions better with Harden on the floor than without him. And they have played more than 100 minutes without him, so it is not that small of a sample. While it is shocking that a team would be six points per 100 possessions better defensively with Harden on the floor, the difference on offense is stunning. Houston is the worst offense in NBA history without him on the floor and one of the best in NBA history with him on the floor. It’s that simple.

Harden or Westbrook: Who has been better?

Since Archibald last did it in 1972-73, no player has scored or assisted on 50 points per game. Both Harden and Westbrook are easily doing it.

The closest over that time anyone’s come to doing it are Isiah Thomas (49.7 in 1984-85), Allen Iverson (49.5 in 2005-06), LeBron James (49.4 in 2009-10) and Michael Jordan (49.0 in 1988-89).

After Harden and Westbrook, the next-closest this season is LeBron James at 46.7.

Of course, there’s more basketball than simply scoring and assisting others.

Where Harden’s Got The Edge:

- Playmaking: His 12.6 assists per game are nearly three more than Westbrook.

- Shooting: Harden is shooting better from the field, from beyond the 3-point line and from the free throw line. His true shooting percentage – which takes into account 3s and FT – is nearly 100 points higher.

Where Westbrook’s Got The Edge:

- Rebounding: While Harden is no slouch at eight boards per game, Westbrook’s 9.7 RPG leads all guards and would be the most by a guard since Oscar Robertson in 1963-64.

- Defense: Westbrook’s got twice as many defensive win shares as Harden.