Remember that stretch in December, when James Harden became the NBA’s first and only player to record back-to-back 50-point games with more than 10 three-pointers? It was an amazing thing to behold and showed the side of Harden that makes you wonder just how high his ceiling really is.
🚨 @JHarden13 is the first player in @NBAHistory to record back-to-back 50-point games with 10+ made threes! 🚀@HoustonRockets | #OneMission pic.twitter.com/sSkGQngdBT
— NBA (@NBA) December 14, 2019
There’s still much of Harden’s story that needs to be written so, there’s no telling which way his legacy is leaning. But when the star guard compared himself to Allen Iverson, it sparked a lot of conversation online, with people from both sides of the aisle fighting to explain why (or why not) Harden is better than the Sixers legend.
The famous First Take crew went so far as to make it an entire segment on their show, which is where retired basketball big man Kendrick Perkins chimed in to serve some pretty bold claims about the Beard.
"James Harden could go out and get an easy 60. How can you say that?! Drop an easy 60 ball on somebody!"@KendrickPerkins needs you to put some RESPECT on James Harden's name. pic.twitter.com/kw3F5zbtJK
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 22, 2020
Perk was obviously quick to defend Harden and in a Tweet that came after, he doubled-down on his stance.
When you talk about the GREATEST scorers of All-Time…JAMES HARDEN needs to be part of that Conversation! Straight Up. https://t.co/pE8mppE4yI
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 22, 2020
Despite the criticisms about Harden’s inconsistency and his questionable methods to get to the foul line, he is clearly one of the NBA’s All-Time best scorers.
Over his eight seasons as the leading star in Houston, he has averaged 29.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 6 rebounds per game on 44% shooting. But it’s the ways in which Harden scores that is most impressive. Whether it’s launching threes, shooting off the dribble, or driving to the rim, there is really no shortage of ways in which he can torch his opponent.
So when Perk says we should attach some respect to his name, he’s not wrong. We should really appreciate his game because there are few who can replicate it.
