Harden Chasing Curry's 3-point Record
Date: 3/3/2019
Tools: Python & Tableau
In the 2015-2016 NBA season, Steph Curry set the record for 3-pointers as well as 3-point attempts. Just three years later James Harden is chasing that record. Using python to scrape web data, I collected game by game stats for Curry's 2015-2016 season and Harden's 2018-2019 season. With 20 games remaining, Harden still has time to catch Curry.
Steph Curry (2015-2016):
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Finished the season going 402 for 886 three pointers
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3P 45.4%
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Missed three games
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Played 2700 minutes
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Averaging 34 minutes per game
James Harden (2018-2019):
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Currently 285 for 782 three pointers
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3P 36.4%
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Has missed four games
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Played 2171 minutes so far
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Averaging 37.5 minutes per game
Comparing the two, efficiency is what jumps out. Curry broke the 3-point record with a much higher shooting percentage and on considerably less minutes per game than Harden. If Harden doesn't miss another game, he will finish with just over 2900 minutes played at his current rate.
At the current pace James Harden is trending towards 985 total attempts and 321 made threes. This will put Harden breaking the 3-point attempt record but not the 3-pointers made record.
Using Tableau and the Python data I scraped, I have graphed Curry's 2015-2016 season and Harden's 2018-2019 (first 62 games). Harden will have to increase his shooting percentage or greatly increase his shooting volume if he is to break Curry's record.
