James Harden recently spoke during Team USA basketball practice in New York. The reporter asked harden, "Who is the best basketball player on the planet right now"? Harden nonchalantly replied, "Myself". Later on that week at an event, 2k Uncensored, Harden was asked the same question by host Ernie Johnson of turner sports. Again, he replied the same way.
This got me pondering the relevance of his answer. While I adamantly believe players shouldn't praise themselves, due to the narcasistic qualities a statement like that leads to, I do not denounce what Harden said. Players should be confident in themselves, their abilities. However, after the event that transpired with Richard Sherman, humility means more now then what it used to.
Now I don't agree with harden 100%, but I feel he is a good top 10 if he goes back to his play style from 2012. Most people in the NBA community don't remember how superb Harden was at covering Kobe Bryant in the 2012 Western Conference Semifinals. He went at Kobe every possesion, on both ends of the ball. People tend to forget that. I think he started to quit contesting when he hit game 3 of the Finals. He saw that every possesion was going to lead to a foul so he backed off. The 2012 finals were atrocious. As far as reffing, the mental fatigue of James Harden, and the lack there of from Oklahoma City as a team. I will not put any blame solely on James Harden. That team could have easily swept Miami, no and, ifs, or buts. (I know this sounds like a rant, but it leads into my point).
James Harden, entering game 1 of the nba finals was fresh off of a dominant series against the Spurs in the WCF. By far this was the best I've ever seen James Harden. He was considered one of the best two way player in the league, second only to Lebron. This was after his defensive clinic against Kobe Bryant, his SuperStar performance against the Spurs, and being labeled " Kevin Durant's best chance at winning a ring before Lebron". People forget that. In the finals he met guys faster, stronger, better than him. He couldn't handle it. Like I said, he was mentally fatigued. He realized the NBA was "home cooking" for Lebron, and that if he played that Kobe defense, he would foul out in the first 5 minutes of the game. He played what he deemed smart basketball. But that affected his confidence. His shooting was egregious, and the Thunder lost his scoring when they needed it most down the stretch. It wasn't how the NBA regular season Sixth man award winner played. After that dismal and disappointing series, Harden was shipped off to Houston in debatably the poorest managerial move in all of the sports world. Harden was fresh off of a maturing stage with Coach K and team USA. He played phenomenal for the team, along with teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Thunder fans were expecting a championship the following season. However, they received the biggest slap in the face, via their inexperienced GM Sam Presti. Harden had until October to choose to opt in, however he chose not to. Presti must have not realized his contract wasn't up until July 1 of next year. However Presti rushed a poor trade in which the only good player they received was Jeremy Lamb.
Let's imagine the Hypotetical here. Let's say Presti doesn't do a deal and just plays it by ear. The Thunder won 60 games that season without Harden, and with Him would have likely set or tied the 1996 Chicago Bulls 72-10 record. So OKC is a 1 seed in the West, which they also accomplished without Harden. The landscape as far as conference seeds would have been different considering OKC played Harden first round that year. So let's just say Houston isn't a factor in the hypothetical, so Patrick Beverly is putting up shots in the gym and not tearing the meniscus in Westbrooks knee on a stupid play. OKC plays great throughout the first 2 rounds and meets San Antonio again in the conference finals. They slip past the Spurs and meet the Heat once again. However this time Harden is ready. The Thunder win the series 4-1 by an average of 23.4 ppg against last years "champs". Harden puts up great numbers but is snubbed for NBA finals MVP. He enjoys the celebration of winning a title. He comes back into Presti's office a month later and talks about an extension. He can see the direction this team is going, one that leads to a dynasty in Oklahoma City. He is more mature than he was a year ago. He decides to take less to help the team stay intact. And well, you see how that path would have turned out.
Then we look at reality. It never had a chance to happen because of a quick move based off poor interpretation. That season no one won a championship. Harden was eliminated in the first round by his former team, and OKC was dismantled by a very good Memphis team the next round. So nobody won.
That confidence in Hardens answer speaks loudly. He knows how elite he has been, and defense is apart of being a great two way player. It's not that he can't play defense, it's that he chooses not too. Hopefully what his answer insinuates is that he will be a densive juggernaut like he was just 3 seasons ago.
Thanks so much to everyone who has supported me. It's truely a blessing and I don't take any of it for granted. Hopefully my next article will feature a Q/A with NBA Live Executive Producer Sean O'Brien, so be on the look out. And as always, don't forget to check me out on twitter @sportswriter22 as well as the guys (and girl) from my last article. Have a great day and God Bless.