James Harden, “The Beard” is one of the best offensive players to be on the court. James Harden went to Arizona State University. The two years he played at Arizona State, he averaged around 22 points per game on 50 percent shooting. After two years of playing college ball, he declared for the NBA draft in 2009. This draft class included many good players who still play in the league today like Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry, Ricky Rubio, and Demar Derozen. James Harden was drafted third by the Oklahoma City Thunder. This made him the first player to be drafted by the franchise as the Oklahoma City Thunder because the franchise moved from Seattle to OKC in 2008.

“I went through a phase where I was obsessed with him and then I started to hate him because I went to a Jazz game and tried to get him to sign my Harden jersey and he totally sprinted past me. So now I hate him and think that he is a jerk, but still a good b-ball player,” sophomore, Drew Romney, said.

James’ first season with Oklahoma City Thunder he averaged nine points a game on 41 percent shooting. He would go on to play for the Thunder for another two seasons, in his last season with them he was averaging 16 points a game on 58 percent shooting.

James was then traded to the Houston Rockets because he wanted to get a max contract. He got an 80 million five year contract. After joining the Houston Rockets that is when his career really exploded. In Harden’s first year with the Rockets, he was averaging 26 points per game on 48 percent shooting. In his fifth year with the Rockets, he was averaging 29 points on 45 percent shooting and about 12 assists per game. James also went on to win MVP the next year.

In the 2018-19 season, Harden was averaging 36 whopping points.

“I think he’s a very good and consistent scorer but not very good defensively,” junior, Dallan Gifford, said.

James went on to play for the Brooklyn Nets and now is playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. At this point in his career, it seems like he is just trying to win a championship.

James Harden is an amazing basketball player and still is. Hopefully he can find his way and win a championship.