Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden is not the same ruthless scorer he once was during his heyday with the Houston Rockets, but he is making a huge impact on the floor every night.
In his first full season with the Sixers, Harden averaged 21 points, a league-high 10.7 assists and 6.1 rebounds. He shot 44.1% from the floor and a career-high 38.5% from deep. Those numbers are worthy of an All-Star appearance.
Yet, he didn’t make one. He was snubbed from the game in February.
Harden talked to SLAM Magazine about the snub:
“I said it already, disrespectful!” Harden tells us of the All-Star snub. “Most of the people that understand basketball get my value, but some just get bored with my numbers.”
The Beard is in his 14th season in the league, and he has been terrific. He isn’t the same 60-point triple-double type of player anymore as he was in Houston, but he assures everybody that he is still one of the best players in this league.
Harden told SLAM:
“I’m a master of this game. This is year 14 for me — I adjust to how teams are guarding us and I pick and choose where to facilitate,” Harden tells SLAM. “My role on the Sixers is different from 2017. So, yes, the approach is different, but I’m still the same player as 2017, my role just changed slightly.
Harden and the Sixers are chasing a championship when they begin their playoff run on Saturday with Game 1 against the Brooklyn Nets.
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