ESPN ranks Rockets’ James Harden as No. 32 player in NBA history

ESPN released its 11-to-40 spots on Tuesday. Other Houston legends to make the cut include Hakeem Olajuwon (12) and Moses Malone (18).

A new poll by an ESPN media panel of the top 74 players in NBA history ranks Houston Rockets star James Harden at No. 32 overall. A day earlier, the same panel ranked co-star Russell Westbrook at No. 42.

An eight-time NBA All-Star and the league’s 2017-18 MVP, Harden has averaged 25.1 points (44.2% FG), 6.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game over his 11 professional seasons in Houston and Oklahoma City.

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, who currently covers Harden and the Rockets, summarized where Harden ranks in history (as of 2020):

Harden has developed into the ultimate offensive weapon of the analytics era, owning three scoring titles and an assists title. His step-back jumper has become one of the most potent signature shots in NBA history, allowing him to be a historic volume 3-point shooter who gets the rest of his points in the paint and at the free-throw line. His 2018-19 season was the most efficient (.616 true shooting percentage) ever for a player who averaged more than 35 points per game.

ESPN’s updated ranking on Tuesday features players in the 11-40 range of the all-time list. Other NBA players in that tier to have played in Houston were No. 40 Chris Paul; No. 23 Charles Barkley; No. 21 Scottie Pippen; No. 18 Moses Malone; and No. 12 Hakeem Olajuwon.

On Monday, the same ESPN panel released its 41-74 list. In addition to Westbrook at No. 42, those with Houston Rockets ties included No. 73 Dikembe Mutombo; No. 57 Clyde Drexler; No. 52 Tracy McGrady; No. 44 Elvin Hayes; and No. 43 Rick Barry.

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