Unchecked: James Harden Needs a Ring
James Harden is undeniably an all-time great player, but nobody talks about him that way. Is it because he needs a ring in order to receive the respect he may deserve as a player?
James Harden may be the biggest enigma in NBA history. I mean, the guy has averaged 35 points per game over the last two seasons, yet have you ever heard anyone tell you he’s their favorite player? Not you Daryl Morey, you don’t count. The Rockets GM did just say however that he feels he has let Harden down with the talent around him. Now, of course, he’s also said Harden is a better scorer than Michael Jordan causing many to instinctively flail like Harden does when looking for a call.
Personally, I’m genuinely curious what The Beard’s eventual place will be in basketball lore. Because he’s undeniably a virtuoso offensively, individually capable of running a prolific team. But at the same time, his playing style is endlessly criticized and cherry picked clips of his defense have been YouTubed into oblivion. I firmly believe rings aren’t everything, but you’d be hard pressed to find a player who could use one more than Harden. And this restarted season may be his best opportunity. Fresh legs could benefit him and a smaller Rockets squad more than any team when it comes to the postseason. And his teammate Russell Westbrook also has a chip on his shoulder in regards to winning one.
Until that happens however, despite undeniably being an all time great player, it seems the only lists James Harden is ever atop are scoring and the Houston Rockets spreadsheets.
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Analysis from Michael Shapiro of InsideTheRockets: Perhaps James Harden’s stylistic tendencies grate on a certain subset of NBA fans, but his standing as one of the greatest players of the 21st century is secure even without a championship ring.
Harden will snag his third straight scoring title this season—a feat only matched by Kevin Durant in the 2000s—and he’s led Houston to the playoffs in eight consecutive years. And Harden is more than just a pure scorer. He’s a true in innovator. The Beard has been at the forefront of the league’s isolation obsession, a trend that has shown no signs of slowing down in the 2020s. Harden may retire without a championship, but to true basketball fans, he’ll remain an icon for decades to come
