At 34 years old, time is running out for former MVP James Harden to capture a title before his career is all said and done. While Harden still has time to secure his first ring, some believe that he would already be a champion if it weren’t for the Warriors dynasty getting in his way.
In a recent article, Monumental’s Chase Hughes revealed done conversation he had with Poole where he revealed what Harden told him one time during a 76ers game last season. Poole, unlike Harden, won a ring early on in his career but Poole, unlike Harden, was on the same side as Curry, Klay, and Draymond instead of facing off against them.
“S—, if he didn’t run into the Warriors one of those years he might have a ring,” Poole said.
The Warriors completely dominated the West for KD’s three-year run with the team, but the Rockets were always hanging around and it makes sense to think that they could’ve gone all the way without Golden State blocking the path.
“Houston had James Harden at the time, winning 65 games,” said Derrick Favors on the Harden-era Rockets. “We couldn’t match up with them, but who could in the league? If it wasn’t for Golden State, Houston probably would’ve won championships. If it wasn’t for those two teams, [Utah] could’ve won a championship.”
The 2017-18 Rockets Are Severely Underrated
You can’t blame the Rockets for dropping the ball against one of the greatest teams ever assembled. But if there’s one squad that came close to taking them out, it’s the Harden-led Rockets who managed to win 65 games during Durant’s second season with the Warriors. Somehow, they finished first in the West that year and pushed the Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference Finals.
Led by Harden, Chris Paul, Clint Capela, and PJ Tucker, the Rockets were a dangerous team whose three-point capabilities were rivaled only by the Warriors. Sadly, the Rockets never did have their chance at a title and it would only be a few years later that Harden forced his way out. But no matter how bad things have gotten for James, nothing can eras his campaign in Houston, which remains one of the most impressive stretches by any player in modern NBA history.
Will James Harden Win A Ring?
It’s obvious now that Harden isn’t the MVP-caliber player he was in 2018 when he averaged 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game on 44% shooting. Even so, he proved with the 76ers last season that he can still be a star. The question is, will he ever find the right situation to succeed?
On the verge of leaving behind his third team now, Harden is running out of options to find his new basketball home and finish his career with a championship. With the Sixers, he had a fair chance with Joel Embiid but the future is uncertain now in the aftermath of his latest trade request.
For James, what matters now is not what happened in the past but what happens over these next few. months. This summer, he made it known that he has no desire to play for the 76ers but suiting up and playing well for them may be his only ticket to Los Angeles. At this point, however, the Beard will need to start making some sacrifices if he wants to achieve his ultimate NBA dream.
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