James Harden has been the most polarizing figure in the NBA for a long time. Admired for his great offence but criticized for his defensive shortcomings and his very style of play, his legacy is as complicated as it is remarkable. From a very modest beginning to eventually becoming one of the best scorers in the league, James Harden's story to greatness is replete with unforgettable moments, controversies, and debates. But just how great was his prime?
Harden's tale started a long way from the warm glow of the NBA. In the nineties, Compton did not have easy times for him either. He lived in one of the toughest neighbourhoods in a house where he had to deal with asthma. For real, and metaphorically, this made him get into plenty of fights as he couldn't breathe; however, basketball was a beacon bright amidst all that other struggle. He soon became a ball-handling and shooting star, and his talent did not go unnoticed. By the time he was in high school, he had already earned the prestigious McDonald's All-American honours.
At Arizona State, Harden's ascent to NBA stardom progressed significantly. He averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists during his stay there, which earned him Conference Player of the Year and All-American distinctions. His college achievements merely confirmed what many had already anticipated—Harden was destined for a career in the NBA.
However, there was scepticism about the 2009 NBA Draft. Even though he did all this in college, scouts thought he was not athletic and explosive enough. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder saw his unique potential and drafted him third overall.
Joining a talented roster with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka, he quickly became the team's Sixth Man of the Year in 2012, scoring 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game as the Thunder advanced to the NBA Finals.
The summer of 2012 marked a turning point in James Harden's career, as the Oklahoma City Thunder traded him to the Houston Rockets due to the fear of luxury tax implications. To some, this was seen as a shrewd business move by the Thunder, but over time, it has come to be one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the National Basketball Association. In that moment, the Thunder gave up their championship aspirations and allowed Harden to grow into a superstar.
The moment James Harden took the floor for the Houston Rockets, it was clear that he intended to leave his mark on the team. In his opening game, he amazed fans with an incredible performance; he scored 37 points, contributing 12 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. This spectacular display set a standard for him to continue in his career with the Rockets. In his first season, he averaged 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, helping lead the Rockets back into the playoffs after missing out for four consecutive seasons.
He very quickly became an All-Star. However, it was not just his scoring that made him stand out. Harden began to work on the skills to be an elite scorer. That ranged from his Euro step to mastering drawing fouls. It was clear that he was no ordinary player.
With Mike D'Antoni as his coach, the game of Harden thrived to a new level. His fast-paced, three-point-heavy system suited Harden like nobody else, and he dominated under that. In the 2017-18 season, Harden averaged 30.4 points, 11.2 assists, and 6.6 rebounds, making him the first player in the NBA to average 30 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds.
It was the first time in history, by anyone, that a player registered a 50-point game with 15 assists and 15 rebounds. For his second season, Harden repeated the feat by earning a 51-point performance in addition to 13 assists and 13 rebounds.
Harden's 2016-17 season is often regarded as one for the ages. He became the first player ever to achieve 2,000 points, 900 assists, and 600 rebounds within a single season, culminating in an impressive 22 triple-doubles. Despite finishing as the runner-up in MVP voting to Russell Westbrook, his extraordinary statistics left a lasting impression on fans and fellow players alike.
In 2017, the Rockets got Chris Paul on a contract to create a duo that promised much. Sceptics felt that two ball-dominant players could not gel, but Harden and Paul blended together in perfect harmony on the court. Together, they powered the Rockets to an unprecedented franchise record of 65-17. Their outstanding season featured Harden's MVP performance in a staggering 60-point triple-double, a feat never seen before in the NBA. The Rockets, however, failed to get out of the playoffs, even after such a great performance during the regular season. The Rockets' greatest weakness was at the expense of the Golden
State Warriors. The most glaring area where James Harden needed improvement was leading his team past the Western Conference Finals.
Harden's 2017-2018 Most Valuable Player season was the culmination of his offensive greatness. His signature step-back three-pointer became a staple of modern NBA play as teams around the league altered their offences in an attempt to replicate his success. The NBA was in the midst of a revolution, and Harden was leading the charge.
James Harden's legacy, at least for sure, is that of one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. His offence has redefined what it means to be a point guard. Despite the dominance of stats, the shadow of being an NBA champion continues to hang over him.
An MVP winner among perennial All-Stars in his class and perhaps one of his generation's most influential players, failure to win even one title somehow detracts from the legacy of Mr. Harden. But his impact on the game and how the NBA has evolved because of him is what matters. The prime of James Harden is a great paradox. He was the player who attained unprecedented success on the court yet never managed to win the ultimate prize. And it raises an intriguing question: how great was his prime, actually? Statistics and games tell their own compelling tale. The lack of a championship will eternally linger in his narrative but does nothing to diminish his remarkable greatness.
