Damian Lillard spoke after the Milwaukee Bucks 127-117 loss to the L.A. Clippers. He praised James Harden for his performance and took aim at fans and members of the media for trying to suggest that Harden couldn’t get it done anymore. The comment also hinted at a larger issue with the NBA space discrediting players.
“I think the era we’re in right now, you got people on the internet, in the media, and on TV that don’t watch games. They make it appear like guys can’t get it done anymore. And you see a guy like [Harden] come out and get 40… It’s a reason he’s one of the greatest players to play the game, and you gotta respect that.”
Harden had a very strong performance against the Bucks, putting up 40 points (12-24 FG), five rebounds, nine assists, and one steal. It was one of the best performances from the former MVP this season, who has shouldered a lot of the heavy load for the Clippers, especially when Kawhi Leonard was out injured.
This season, James Harden is averaging 21.7 points, 8.3 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 39.7% from the field, 34.4% from beyond the arc, and 89.7% from the free-throw line. His efficiency does leave a lot to be desired, but he has been a stable presence for the Clippers this year.
Harden’s scoring is of course, not what it used to be in years past. He is no longer the player who can lead the league in scoring while averaging 30+ points per game. But over the years, he has adapted his game well, turning into a point guard who passes the ball and sets up his teammates for open looks quite well. Harden’s intelligence, something JJ Redick has praised him for recently, has been on full display.
But he is very much a solid second option now. As Kawhi Leonard looks to ramp up and find his rhythm again, and with the continued excellence of Norman Powell, the Clippers will be a strong dark horse in the Western Conference.
Can James Harden Win A Championship Before Retiring?
The L.A. Clippers currently sit sixth in the Western Conference, with a 26-19 record. They have shown that they are a decent team that can defeat some of the best in the NBA on any given night. But the big concern about them is their longevity, as their two best players – Kawhi Leonard and James Harden – struggle with injuries.
It is hard to call the Clippers championship contenders this season. Even in the Western Conference, the five teams ahead of them – Thunder, Rockets, Grizzlies, Nuggets, and Lakers – are considered to be better than them from a full roster standpoint.
Harden has been in the NBA for over 15 years but has yet to win a championship. The closest he came was still with the Oklahoma City Thunder when they lost to the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals. Since then, Harden hasn’t appeared in an NBA Finals and has only played in two conference finals.
It is looking like, unless he makes a big trade to a contender, or plays as a role player very late in his career, James Harden is unlikely to win an NBA championship before his career is over.
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