(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
James Harden was recently asked how he wants to be remembered by NBA fans and his response is generating a ton of buzz and criticism.
Harden says he wants to be remembered as a “winner” and someone who taught others and loved the game.
Speaking on “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith pushed back in a big way against Harden’s words.
“It might be the most embarrassing quote that James Harden has ever given about himself,” Smith said.
He noted that Harden has come up short during multiple instances throughout his career, including during the Finals and during stints with multiple different teams.
“It might be the most embarrassing quote that James Harden has ever given about himself.”
—@stephenasmith on Harden’s recent comments on how he wants to be remembered pic.twitter.com/i1kmufAqsh
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 5, 2024
Like many others, Smith said that Harden has a tendency to not deliver on all of his promise and potential.
He is a great regular-season player but his output in the playoffs is seemingly always hampered by his lack of physicality and drive.
Harden has yet to win a championship and has been in numerous postseasons when his team has fallen apart.
Plus, he has bounced around numerous teams throughout his time in the NBA and has created a lot of negative press because of that.
Smith did defend Harden about one thing: he said the player was treated poorly by Daryl Morey of the Philadelphia 76ers and was right to be upset.
Smith agrees that Harden is a very gifted player but he doesn’t think that he has earned the title of “winner,” at least not yet.
If his first season with the Los Angeles Clippers is any indication, it may be some time before Harden can really be called a winner.
Some people call him a winner, others call him a quitter, and the conversation around Harden continues.
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