December 19, 2019, Los Angeles, California, USA: James Harden 13 of the Houston Rockets during warmups prior to their NBA, Basketball Herren, USA game with the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday December 19, 2019 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Clippers lose to Raptors, 117-122. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Clippers lose to Raptors, 117-122 - ZUMAp124 20191219_zaa_p124_004 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
James Harden won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2017-18 NBA season
Over the course of his NBA career, James Harden developed into a perennial All-Star and a regular MVP candidate. During the 2017-18 NBA season Harden etched his name in basketball history by winning the NBA MVP award. Harden averaged 30.4 points per game, 8.8 assists per game and 5.4 rebounds per game.
He led the league in scoring for the first time in his career. In addition to this, Harden led the Rockets to a franchise-best 65-17 win-loss record and the No.1 seed in the Western Conference.
James Harden has finished in the Top-3 for MVP voting 5 times in his career, taking home the award once. Some have even argued that Harden could have won the award more times. Harden is considered one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, winning the scoring title 3 times in his career.
In addition to that, Harden is one of the best playmakers in the league and is extremely adept in the pick and roll. James Harden is one of the most effective offensive players of all-time.
James Harden is still an All-Star level player and maybe even an All-NBA level player. But Harden will never win the MVP award again. He is playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and is next to 2 scoring players in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. This means that Harden is unlikely to reach the scoring heights he did in Houston.
In addition to that, age has caught up with Harden and he’s lost the explosiveness he had in earlier years. At 33-years old it’ll be interesting to see whether Harden can add an NBA title to his resume.
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