Regarded as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, James Harden’s accomplishments are impressive. Despite having nearly every individual accolade, he still lacks an NBA championship. Recent seasons, however, have been challenging for the 35-year-old.
Harden’s reputation as a high-volume scorer has diminished, particularly since his departure from Houston. His struggles with injuries and frequent trade requests have made it difficult for him to settle with the Nets and 76ers. Nevertheless, he appears to have found stability with the Clippers at present.
Doubts about his fitness and less dynamic performances have led many to question James Harden’s longevity. However, he has admirably adapted his game, focusing more on playmaking to maintain his relevance. Despite these adjustments, the veteran guard’s decade-long streak of All-Star appearances will conclude in 2022.
The recent departure of Paul George has left a significant gap for the Clippers, which could turn out to be advantageous for Harden. With more opportunities for ball handling and shot attempts, he might be able to return to his preferred style of play. Since leaving the Rockets, Harden has often had to share the ball, hindering his ability to play as he used to.
Coach T-Lue might offer Harden more freedom to manage the ball, allowing him to potentially replicate or even slightly improve upon his performance from his Houston days. Unlike his time with the Rockets, Harden now has a two-time Finals MVP in Kawhi Leonard to help share the offensive responsibilities.
For the Clippers’ guard to regain his All-Star status, he must average 25 points per game and maintain similar assist and rebound numbers as last season. Additionally, he needs to shoot at least 40% from beyond the arc. The team’s performance by February will also be crucial.
A +500 record won’t suffice; the Clippers need to be among the top six teams in the Western Conference. If Harden meets these criteria, he might secure a reserve spot on the All-Star team.
