“James Harden would be easily top 5 if he played defense.” (c) Stephen A. Smith
Judging by that title, the first word that comes to your mind is probably BLASPHEMY! Yesterday, ESPN’s Scoop Jackson sat down with the Houston Rockets star James Harden to discuss plans leading up to the FIBA World Cup games in a few days.
With Kevin Durant and Paul George out of action this summer for Team USA, this definitely boosted the confidence of Harden to proclaim himself as the best basketball player alive. While we agree that every player in the NBA has to have confidence in themselves (for the sake of the league), MVP accomplishments, and most of all rings, are needed to support those claims, which James has not achieved quite yet.
Peep an excerpt from the interview and highlights from last season below, then let us know in the comments if you support James Harden’s bold statement.
Scoop: Bottom line, you are on this team and a lot of players aren’t, but in your mind, who is the best basketball player alive right now?
Harden: Myself.
Scoop: That’s what I was about to say, “including you.” You made that sound like it was an easy answer.
Harden: It is. Myself.
Scoop: Then here’s the question: Are you where you want to be basketball-wise, even if you are the best?
Harden: Nowhere near close. I’ve got a long way to go, a lot of learning to do, improvements to make. Um, you know, as long as I’m listening and focused on the right things, I can reach my potential.
Scoop: So in your mind, you haven’t reached [your potential] yet?
Harden: Not even close.