Even in any case these years, James Harden feels the identical means about not profitable an NBA championship.
James Harden is among the biggest gamers in NBA historical past. It’s simple to neglect this truth, given his decline over the previous couple of years.
However even in his diminished state, Harden is a star-level participant on this league. The legendary guard has achieved so much in his profession, together with an MVP win in 2018.
Nonetheless, there’s one obvious absence on his resume—an NBA championship. Harden has spent his complete profession attempting to realize that objective.
He did attain the NBA Finals in 2012 with the traditionally nice Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, however did not win the title then.
As a star, he spent his prime years battling in opposition to the unstoppable Golden State Warriors. These battles are why Harden hated the Warriors for a lot of his profession. However the objective, even at this level in his profession, is similar—to win an NBA championship.
Throughout an look at Fanatics Fest in New York Metropolis, James Harden did a panel with comic Druski and interacted with the followers in attendance.
One fan caught Harden’s consideration, yelling at him to win an NBA championship. Relatively than lambast the fan, Harden affirmed that he’s nonetheless pursuing that objective.
Fan: “Win a championship!”
James Harden: “I’ll, I’m attempting!”
Clearly, Harden nonetheless needs to compete on the highest degree and earn a championship earlier than he calls time on his legendary profession.
How he will get that accomplished and with which groups is the query, as Harden is a free agent this summer season, and will depart the LA Clippers.
If we glance again at his profession, James Harden has had the most effective likelihood to compete for an NBA championship when he has had a powerful roster round him.
On the Thunder, Harden was successfully an All-Star-level sixth man taking part in with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook once they reached the NBA Finals.
Throughout his time with the Houston Rockets, Harden led the group to the Western Convention Finals whereas taking part in with Chris Paul, and had sturdy function gamers like Clint Capela and Austin Rivers on his facet.
However maybe essentially the most devastating disappointment got here from his time with the Brooklyn Nets. He, Durant, and Kyrie Irving spearheaded one of many biggest offenses in NBA historical past.
Accidents and poor timing obtained of their means, as they had been eradicated by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, who then went on to win the NBA championship that yr.
Since then, Harden hasn’t been a part of a convincing roster to compete for a championship, regardless of taking part in alongside Joel Embiid throughout his MVP season on the Philadelphia 76ers.
If the LA Clippers are severe about constructing a contender round Harden and Kawhi Leonard, then they have to look to improve their roster this offseason.
Brian Windhorst prompt the Clippers commerce for Kevin Durant. However that’s unlikely to occur, on condition that the Clippers aren’t one of many events.
Regardless of the Clippers do, they have to maximize the potential of their roster this offseason, as they can’t afford to waste the restricted window they’ve with Leonard and Harden.
