There was lots to like within the 2024-25 season of James Harden, but it surely ended with disappointment, like so many others. Harden has as soon as once more did not ship in a match 7 as Los Angeles Clippers have been eradicated within the first spherical by the Denver NuggetsAnd Shaquille O’Neal Has a principle of cause why he has hassle in these huge video games.
“If you care, I can see it in your eyes,” mentioned O’Neal on The good podcast with Shaq. “We had just a few video games 7, and folks didn’t depth … I already knew that they weren’t going to accentuate as a result of that is the topic of the dialog. In case you have the perspective, I don’t care, you’ll take 30 pictures, and never eight, James Harden.
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“When he performed, I might say that he cares about what individuals say,” added O’Neal. “All the time a temple of fame, you all the time earn some huge cash, however you care what individuals say. You simply add to your story.”
Harden completed with seven factors (2-8 FG), 5 rebounds, 13 assists, two interceptions and a block whereas the Clippers misplaced 120-101 in match 7 to be eradicated. Solely eight makes an attempt to shoot in a sport of this magnitude have been unacceptable.
Harden is now on a median of 19.3 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 2.6 interceptions and 1.3 blocks per sport in match 7 in his profession and has a file of 3-4. The previous MVP was not the least efficient both, pulling 35.5% within the discipline and 22.4% past the arc.
This final loss meant Harden turned the primary participant in NBA historical past to lose a match 7 with 4 completely different groups. The final defeat of 11 instances from the celebs earlier than that was towards the Boston Celtics within the semi-finals of the Jap Convention in 2023 when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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It was an analogous story with regard to Harden on this defeat towards the Celtics. He had solely 9 factors (3-11 FG), six rebounds, seven assists, two interceptions and a block whereas the 76ers misplaced 112-88.
Harden is now not the unimaginable scorer he was as soon as when he received three consecutive rating titles from 2018 to 2020, however you’re nonetheless ready for him far more in these crucial video games. As O’Neal mentioned, the 35-year-old added to this story on him as drop-off in playoffs.
Regardless of all Harden’s difficulties up to now, there was hope that issues can be completely different this time. He collected on common 22.8 factors, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 interceptions and 0.7 blocks per sport in 2024-25 and was so spectacular that he even obtained a spot on the All-NBA third crew.
Harden collected 28 factors in match 6 towards the Nuggets to assist the Clippers get rid of elimination. The scene was prepared for him to revive the wrongs of the previous, however he did not ship.
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Somebody who didn’t achieve match 7 throughout his profession was O’Neal. He had a 3-1 file in them and picked up on common 26.3 factors, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 interceptions and a couple of.5 blocks per sport. He pulled not less than 15 instances in three of those 4 video games and was the aggressive power that his groups wanted him.
Associated: ex-teammates highlights the gaps in match 7 of James Harden
