In the wake of the LA Clippers’ disappointing 0-5 start with star guard James Harden, NBA enthusiasts find themselves pondering the future of the former MVP in the league. The scrutiny intensifies as renowned ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, on his recent “The Stephen A. Smith Show” episode, voiced concerns that go beyond the Clippers’ current struggles.
Stephen A. Smith Raises Red Flags on James Harden’s Future Amidst Clippers’ Struggles
Smith didn’t mince words, asserting that while Harden remains an All-Star, his performance is on a downward trajectory. The burning question, according to Smith, is how much does the once-dominant player have left in his tank. In Smith’s words, “James Harden is still an All-Star, but he ain’t what he used to be. Now the time has come to ask how much he is really worth and how much does he have left.”
The analyst backed his perspective by highlighting the success of two of Harden’s former teams, the Houston Rockets (6-3) and the Philadelphia 76ers (8-3), in his absence. Smith pointed out that these teams have flourished by adopting a faster pace and increased ball movement, shedding light on the contrast to Harden’s ball-dominant style.
Smith concluded his critique by presenting a challenging narrative for Harden. The Clippers’ struggles juxtaposed with the prosperity of the Rockets and Sixers, according to Smith, offer critics substantial ammunition to question Harden’s standing in the league. He directly addressed the star guard, questioning his response to the mounting skepticism: “you’re James Harden, it’s bad news all the way around because it’s giving people fodder to question your future. What are you gonna do about it, bro? What are you gonna do?“
Examining Harden’s early performance in LA further fuels the discussion. In five games, he has averaged 15.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 3-pointers per game, shooting at a respectable 47.1%.
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As the NBA season unfolds, the spotlight on James Harden intensifies, with Stephen A. Smith’s pointed observations contributing to a growing narrative about the star player’s future in the league. The ball is now in Harden’s court to address the concerns and reaffirm his position among the NBA elite.