Despite being one of the best players in the NBA right now, James Harden is one of the players who get the most criticism in the league. The Houston Rockets guard has won the MVP award, the scoring championship with the Rockets but he’s still asked to do more to prove his worth in the league.
Harden is yet to make the NBA Finals with his team and that always will hunt him until he makes it.
He is one of the most talented players we’ve ever seen, arguably a top 5 scorer of all time but none of that pleases the fans if the Beard is unable to reach the big stage. During a recent conversation with the Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson, Harden expressed that he feels the criticism he receives is similar to the one Iverson’s had to deal with during his active days.
“I feel like everything that I’m going through right now is what you went through, just a newer version. You keep on saying criticism negative energy negativity. Why does he do this why does he do that, like nobody understands and I’m cool with that, you know, I’m not here to explain myself or try to get people to understand why come from what I do.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC90NChki_M
AI was also very good during his days in the NBA. Contrary to Harden, he actually carried his team to the NBA Finals but there was nothing he could do against the all-powerful Lakers led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The Answer was an elite scorer, arguably the most talented player the league has seen but none of that saved him from the criticism he received.
These two share some similarities in their careers but Harden has the chance to change all of that. Right now he’s focused on helping the Rockets to have a long playoffs run, even though the task will be more difficult this year. In 61 games, he’s averaging 34.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 43.5 from the field.
