When James Harden signed with the Brooklyn Nets, there was much excitement about what he would bring to the table.
As an elite playmaker, ball handler, and scorer, his talents alone would make any team relevant in the title race. Alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets were perceived as the favorites.
Unfortunately, Harden hasn’t quite been himself since his arrival in ‘The Big Apple’ and the Nets have suffered mightily because of it. Amid some rough games by Brooklyn, Harden was at the center of doubt and skepticism by fans throughout the NBA community.
But after Monday’s game against the Clippers, in which he dropped 39 points and 15 assists, the mood has changed again, this time with fans recognizing the return of the Beard.
This the harden we know https://t.co/m4KI7lFpWG
— God’s Jiggiest Servant. (@Obamayowaa) December 28, 2021
If James Harden is playing like this, no other team stands a chance
— Niko (@nikodaboin) December 28, 2021
Crazy how some of ya was disrespecting James Harden 😂
— NY (@TheKnicksOfNY) December 28, 2021
Y'all doubted James Harden? pic.twitter.com/s7vCH3zGVq
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) December 28, 2021
Rule change really broke Harden. Oh wait
— DawgProcess (Devon Witherspoon Supporter) (@DLock4MVP) December 28, 2021
Harden is back stop playing wit em
— WHAM (@_dq1of1) December 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/jacksonhaak/status/1475708694713094146
@JHarden13 💍? pic.twitter.com/CTKB4XOh27
— michelindo ACABA UEM (@da_michelan) December 28, 2021
Get this straight: James Harden is still James Harden and you should still #FearTheBeard
— Stefano Gordon 🇺🇦 (@stefano_gordon) December 28, 2021
For everyone that said harden is washed, SAY your SORRY
— Ndott (@CamThomasSZN24_) December 28, 2021
Admittedly, it’s hard to imagine a 3x Scoring Champ and 1x MVP being counted out by so many people, but he’s been getting a lot of heat over the past few weeks.
For a while there, he looked like a shell of himself, and some executives were even questioning if he was worth a max contract.
“Do you really want to max out Harden for five years right now? He turns 33 next summer and already looks to have lost a step. On the one hand, if Brooklyn isn’t interested in doing a five-year deal next summer, it leaves its flank open for Harden to seek greener pastures; but on the other, every other team is looking at the same risk factors, only they don’t have the sunk cost of all the draft picks Brooklyn gave up to acquire him.”
While it remains to be seen if Harden can sustain this level of play for the rest of this season (and into the playoffs), he gave us all a good reminder of just how special he is.
And if the Nets want to have their best chance at raising the Larry O’Brien trophy in June, having this version of Harden is a necessity.
