James Harden has opened up about his multiple injury struggles over the past couple of years.
James Harden is widely known as one of the most prolific scorers in the league, as well as one of the top overall players there is in the NBA at the moment. The 33 year old has turned out for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets in a decorated career that has seen him win an MVP award as well – but the last few years have not been good for Harden.
Harden struggled with plenty of injury troubles over the last couple of seasons. While Harden has remained relatively injury free for the first decade or so in his career, smaller scale injuries started piling up over the past couple of years. 2021 was especially brutal for the guard, who suffered 12 different ailments in the following season – a very frustrating campaign for Harden.
In 2021, Harden experienced problems with his ankle, thigh, hamstring and neck, while also missing a number of games due to a general lack of match fitness. As Harden grows deeper into his 30s, his body is not what it used to be and the recurring injuries have piled up as well – a hamstring injury bothered Harden both in 2021 and earlier in 2022 during the All Star break.
Naturally, Harden worked on his recurring injuries ahead of the upcoming season – and according to himself, is in the best shape of his life. However, the constant injuries definitely took a toll on Harden’s mental health – as he came clean about it when he sat down alongside Joel Embiid to address the press on the customary media day at the start of the season.
What did Harden say about his injury troubles over the past two years?
When Harden was asked about the mental impact, his injury troubles had on him, he said that it was mentally very difficult to keep up at a “tumultuous” time in his career.
When asked how hard it was to not be able to do what he has done all his career, Harden confessed it was very difficult mentally. Harden said: “Mentally, it was very difficult for me. I’m in love with the game of basketball – even if the money wasn’t involved, I would still play the game – and when I could not, it was very difficult, lot of tough times and dark moments.”
“Mentally, it was very difficult for me.”
James Harden on his injury struggles
However, Harden did go on to say that he is a lot better now. “I’m in a very good space right now, I feel like I’m back to where I needed to be and where I’m supposed to be – so yeah, the feeling is great.”
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