This was yet another first-round farewell for James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers after falling short against the Denver Nuggets in a deciding Game 7 just over a week ago. Facing the ire for his performance, “The Beard” put up seven points, five rebounds and 13 assists, going 2-for-8 from the field in this elimination contest.
The loss against the Nuggets took Harden’s Game 7 tally to 3-4. It is not a good look for the three-time scoring champion, who, during such make-or-break contests, has averaged 4.0 turnovers and shot 35.5 percent from the field over his 16 seasons in the NBA.
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Harden’s productivity during the playoffs has always been a matter of concern, even during his days with the Rockets. This criticism continues to follow him during his Clippers journey. The 2018 MVP’s output, when it mattered the most, was usually underwhelming.
Addressing Harden’s struggles, his former teammate and friend, Paul George, talked about how the veteran guard’s multi-faceted abilities had a dual effect on his game.
“James puts a lot into his craft, and I think his production drops or divots from time to time. I think when you’re a player of his caliber, he does everything so well. I think on some nights he don’t know if he should be a scorer or if he should be a playmaker. Some nights he might come out, and you think he flat, but he has the mindset of the facilitator…Get guys shots and get them open. Make the game easy for everyone else, and then you kind of lose…..So I think, at times, his gift is how good he is, is often a curse because he can do so many things,” revealed PG, who was teammates with “The Beard” on the Clippers during the 2023-24 season.
Postseason struggles and declining offense
There is no denying that Harden had an impressive 2024-25 season, earning his 11th All-Star appearance. However, things haven’t been the same for the veteran guard since leaving Houston. The two-time assists leader has shown a visible decline in his game.
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A walking bucket during his days with the Rockets, Harden’s contributions in the scoring department have considerably shrunk. The superstar’s poor efficiency and high turnover rate have become increasingly concerning, with growing issues about his conditioning adding to the unease.
Addressing the recently concluded season, Harden showed positive signs, stepping up during Kawhi Leonard’s absence. Playing 79 of the 82 games, the veteran guard helped the Clippers secure the fifth seed in the West, posting 50 wins. Heading into the playoffs, the superstar did have some impressive performances in the series against the Nuggets, but his tendency not to show up when the stakes were very high was evident in Game 7.
The legacy
One of the most prolific scorers of the past decade, Harden redefined offensive excellence during his Houston tenure. His relentless scoring and playmaking made him a perennial MVP contender and a nightmare for defenses.
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Nevertheless, the lefty guard’s output reduced considerably when it came to winning at the ultimate stage. While he did have some impressive performances, it wasn’t enough to get the job done. Forcing himself out of Houston in 2021, the veteran guard struggled to adjust on various teams until the Clippers.
Though there is no denying that a championship doesn’t define an individual’s greatness, in James’ case, it’s also been his poor playoff history. Certainly, an asset to any team at this stage of his career as well, maybe it’s time we revisit our expectations for “The Beard” going forward.