logo
Former Thunder star James Harden ranked No. 34 in NBA history

Former Thunder star James Harden ranked No. 34 in NBA history

USA Today5 days ago
As we enter the sizzling summer months, we're approaching the point in the calendar year when the NBA takes a couple of months off. That allows for plenty of time to be perspective and reflect on what's happened in the past.
The Bleacher Report NBA staff took advantage of the downtime. They ranked the top 100 NBA players of all time. The extensive project had an all-hands-on-deck approach. They conjured up the votes and released a naturally controversial ranking.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's exclusion might be one of the biggest snubs, there were other players who represented the Oklahoma City Thunder among the 100 players. One is James Harden. He came in at No. 34 spot in the rankings.
Harden spent the first three of his 16 seasons on the Thunder. His stint was highlighted by a 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year award. He was the third-best player on an NBA Finals team. Not agreeing to an extension, he was shockingly traded to the Houston Rockets, where he blossomed into one of the greatest scorers of all time and an MVP winner.
"One of the most devastating pick-and-roll forces the game has ever seen, Harden also developed into an unstoppable isolation threat," Bleacher Report wrote. "Elite quickness, strength and craft made it impossible to stay in front of Harden, and then he perfected a step-back three-pointer so deadly that opponents actually preferred to play defense behind him."
While Harden went on to enjoy historic individual success, he's yet to return to the NBA Finals since 2012. That's the one hiccup to a near-perfect resume of one of the greatest players ever. He was a consistent 30-plus point threat in his prime and a perennial All-Star and All-NBA member.
"An extremely heliocentric star who has led the league in usage rate twice, never consistently defended and couldn't lead his team to a title," Bleacher Report wrote. "Harden has more than his share of detractors. But he was also among the best offensive players in the game for a decade. That matters."
Harden has spent most of his career with the Rockets. He's also had stops on the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and LA Clippers. The 35-year-old has taken a step back, but remains one of the league's top players.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rangers hope to flip World Series title script, and finish this regular season how they started '23
Rangers hope to flip World Series title script, and finish this regular season how they started '23

Yahoo

time26 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Rangers hope to flip World Series title script, and finish this regular season how they started '23

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Chris Young is hoping that the Texas Rangers can flip the script from 2023, when they won their only World Series title. The Rangers would like to finish this regular season the way they started that championship one two years ago. Texas (53-50) went into its day off Thursday, after a three-game series sweep of the Athletics and a week before the trade deadline, with 59 games left. 'I look back on 2023 and we went 40-20 in our first 60 games. And after that, you know, the next 102 we were two games under .500,' Young, the team's president of baseball operations, said before the opener of that series against the A's. "Every season has a different ebb and flow to it. And my hope is that the next 62 games are our best 62 games of our season. If that's the case, then we'll look back and say, hey, the first half of the season wasn't as much fun as we had hoped, but it was all worth it to get where we wanted to go." While third in the American League West behind Houston and Seattle, the Rangers were only 1 1/2 games out of the league's final wild-card spot. They won two of three games at the division-leading Astros before the All-Star break, and are 5-1 since, including a series win over AL Central leader Detroit. There are three games at home this weekend against Atlanta and then three in Los Angeles against the Angels before the trade deadline. Texas is 12-6 in July and averaged 5.6 runs per game, nearly two runs a game more than in their first 85 games before that. The pitching and defense have been good all season, with the staff's MLB-best 3.16 ERA and a majors-low 32 fielding errors. The Rangers have allowed two runs or fewer in their last seven games, matching the longest such streak in Texas history. 'If we can continue the progress we've shown over the last several weeks ... it's going to determine a lot,' Young said about what the team might do before the deadline. 'So not to put any more pressure on anything, it's just the reality of this point in the season, and we're looking up in the standings.' Streaking Seager Corey Seager, in the fourth season of his $325 million, 10-year deal with Texas, has a 24-game on-base streak. He has hit .356 with eight homers and 22 RBIs in what is the second-longest active streak in the majors, behind the 29 by Milwaukee's Christian Yelich. The two-time World Series MVP shortstop had a 30-game streak last year and a 26-gamer in 2023, making him the only player with streaks of at least 24 games in each of those seasons. Topping the rotation Right-hander Jacob deGrom (10-2, 2.28 ERA) was the only Rangers player picked as an All-Star, but the team gave right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (7-3, 1.58) the $100,000 All-Star bonus from his contract even after he was left off the American League squad. Eovaldi is set to start Friday against the Braves, his first game since July 13, when he went 7 2/3 innings in a 5-1 win at Houston before the break. The 35-year-old right-hander was scratched because of back stiffness from last Sunday's game against Oakland, and a matchup with AL All-Star starter Tarik Skubal. The 37-year-old deGrom missed most of the past two seasons after Tommy John surgery, and his 118 1/3 innings pitched are already his most since 2019, when he won his second consecutive NL Cy Young Award with the New York Mets. DeGrom went to Atlanta last week but opted against pitching in the All-Star Game, and the Rangers intentionally gave him a nine-day break between starts. 'If we can keep him out there and keep getting the best version of Jacob for another 10 or so starts, it's a great thing for our club,' Young said. "He's feeling really good, and we're doing our best to try to protect him from a health and recovery standpoint.' Bringing them back Josh Jung is 4 for 8 with a homer and four runs scored in three games since being recalled from Triple-A Round Rock, where the third baseman was sent July 2 when in a bad slump. Jon Gray made his season debut Wednesday against the A's, pitching two innings in relief for the win. The right-hander, who can be a starter or reliever, suffered a fractured forearm when struck by a comeback liner in a spring training game. Joc Pederson, the offseason addition out since May 25 because of a broken right hand, could re-join the team next week after a rehab assignment. ___ AP MLB:

Vikings training camp notebook, day 2: Defense continues to flash brilliance
Vikings training camp notebook, day 2: Defense continues to flash brilliance

USA Today

time27 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Vikings training camp notebook, day 2: Defense continues to flash brilliance

The Vikings roster has reported to Eden Prairie, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Minnesota, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell have new extensions, as do their assistants and coordinators. J.J. McCarthy is finally healthy and ready to take over the controls of a franchise that trusted him enough to stick with him when so many other options presented themselves. All in all, the coaching staff remains essentially unchanged, while the roster sees some position groups infused with youth and talent to solidify them. The second day of training camp has wrapped, though, for the team, and there is a lot to break down. We did our best to decide what was worth sharing and discussing, as a lot happened, we narrowed it down to three key points. Of course, we rounded up some quick hitters as well for your enjoyment. Defense has contributors across the board The defense is going to have their work cut out for them once again in 2025 after a strong season in 2024 that saw the team go 14-3. While their offense remains one of the best in the NFL, the defense added some new pieces for Brian Flores to scheme with over the offseason, specifically in the secondary. Players like Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah both come in with mild expectations, and Dallas Turner in his sophomore season is expected to contribute more. The Athletic's Alec Lewis shared some thoughts from the second day as it pertains to this group, and as Olaf would say, "All good things, all good things." Lewis explained, "The Brian Flores defense looks revved up, per usual around this time. Disguised looks. Activity from Levi Drake Rodriguez. Lots of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah." If Byron Murphy Jr. can get help from Rodgers and Okudah, look out. Justin Jefferson leaves early, but fear not The Vikings avoiding injury in 2024 is going to be a pivotal part of the training camp over the next few weeks. Last year it bit former top pick J.J. McCarthy hard to the tune of a torn meniscus, so they are doing what they can to avoid it going forward. That is why Justin Jefferson's early departure from practice may have raised some alarms, but it left the All-Pro wide receiver smiling as if he had pulled it as a joke. Jefferson explained his early departure, saying, "Just having a little bit of tightness. Of course, with the past recent injuries and stuff that I have gone through before, just taking precaution and understanding it's the second day of camp, not the 30th." One would have to imagine we see Jefferson at practice on Friday, even if it is in a limited role. No reason for concern with the star receiver, as of now. Josh Metellus sits out on the second day A day after we discussed how Josh Metellus was practicing and being used as the Swiss Army knife of the Vikings' defense, he was making headlines again. The veteran safety, who is in the middle of a contract situation with the team, missed practice due to what the team reported to be an ankle issue. We have seen players cite injuries as a way to avoid camp and not be a distraction in the media, although that is not what is happening here yet. It does create a situation worth watching, though, for the team and Metellus, and the camp rolls on, and no contract is extended between the parties. Quick hitters

Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey named to Texas Athletics Hall of Honor
Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey named to Texas Athletics Hall of Honor

USA Today

time27 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey named to Texas Athletics Hall of Honor

Assistant coach Royal Ivey is joining Kevin Durant and DJ Augustin (front office) as current Rockets who are in the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor. Houston Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey, who previously played in college at the University of Texas and then for several NBA teams, will soon be inducted into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor. Ivey is among 10 individuals that will be recognized as the Class of 2025 during a Sept. 12 induction ceremony in Austin. Details on the ceremony are available here. From his Texas Hall of Honor biography: A four-year starter at both point guard and shooting guard during his career at Texas, Royal Ivey left his mark as one of the top one-on-one perimeter defenders in program history. A two-time Big 12 Conference All-Defensive Team selection, he finished his collegiate career ranked first in games started (126), tied for third in games played (133), and 24th in scoring (1,036 points). Ivey helped lead the Longhorns to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including three-straight trips to the Sweet 16 (2002, 2003, and 2004) and a spot in the 2003 Final Four. In addition to Ivey's extensive NBA ties, both as a player and assistant coach, the 43-year-old was also the head coach when South Sudan secured its first-ever Olympic berth and victory during the 2024 Olympics cycle. He has been considered for NBA head coaching jobs in recent years and might soon land one, though he's returning to the staff of Ime Udoka for at least one more season in Houston. As for the Texas Hall of Honor, Ivey joins Kevin Durant and DJ Augustin as current members of the Rockets who are part of that exclusive club of Longhorns legends. Durant was acquired by trade this offseason, and Augustin is a former player who is back with Houston as a front-office member. Both Durant (2006-07) and Augustin (2006-08) also played at Texas during the 2000s decade, although a few years later than Ivey (2001-04). More: Despite external coaching inquiries, Royal Ivey likely to stay with Rockets, Ime Udoka

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store