via Getty
HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 30: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets celebrates a win against the Phoenix Suns on March 30, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. James Harden finished with a team-high 28 points along with 10 assists and 8 rebounds for the Rockets. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
via Getty
HOUSTON, TX – MARCH 30: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets celebrates a win against the Phoenix Suns on March 30, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. James Harden finished with a team-high 28 points along with 10 assists and 8 rebounds for the Rockets. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
While talking about the greatest scorers in basketball, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are two players who instantly spring to mind. Currently, many regard Kevin Durant as the best scorer in the league. But according to former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins, James Harden deserves to be up with them.
During his appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Perkins said, “James Harden is a killer. He is arguably one of the greatest scorers of all time. We’re talking about a guy who has four 50-point tripled doubles. One 60-point triple-double. There’s nothing this man can’t do. James Harden could go out and get an easy 60.”
Then he spoke about how he has not only impacted the franchise but also the game. “The day he stepped foot in Houston, he has (taken) over the franchise by storm. So I’m looking at the guy who’s been leading the league the last three years in scoring. He changed the game, the refs call the game differently because of James Harden.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
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
Can James Harden lead the Rockets to a title?
Harden is now on his way to a third consecutive scoring title. But he often gets a lot of hate for his playing style. Whether it is shooting almost 13 threes a game or taking almost 12 free throws per game, the way he draws fouls annoys fans the most. He is a gifted scorer, undoubtedly, but his playstyle is the reason he gets hate.
In this season, he has so far had one 60-point game, four 50-point games, and 14 40-point games. The next step in his career is to take the Rockets to a title. He has taken them to two Conference Finals but lost both to the Warriors. One could argue that in 2018, they would have made it to the Finals had it not been for Chris Paul’s injury.
With the Rockets acquiring Russell Westbrook in the 2019 off-season, Houston’s chances for a title have increased. Three teams have had two MVPs on their team, but the Rockets are the first to have an All-MVP backcourt. Both Harden and Westbrook are just missing an NBA title from their resume and will be focused on adding it to their illustrious careers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Source:
