James Harden is quietly sneaking himself with LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant as elite ageless wonders. Turns out, he has maintained other things than his iconic beard.
This season, Harden has been the steady hand the Clippers needed in a time of transition. When Paul George bolted for the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason and Kawhi Leonard sidelined in the first five weeks due to an injury, Harden stepped into the void without missing a beat. His game, a blend of step-back threes, crafty drives, and pinpoint passing, has been the backbone of the Clippers’ offense. Averaging 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, Harden has been the definition of consistency. His efforts also earned him his 11th career All-Star selection, a well-deserved honor after being left out in the past two seasons.
‘The Beard’ isn’t just putting up numbers – he’s delivering at a time where every win or defeat is crucial. Last Friday, in a game against the Detroit Pistons, he turned back the clock with a vintage performance, dropping a season-high 50 points on 14-for-24 shooting, including six threes, to lead the Clippers to a 123-115 win. It was his first 50-point game since December 2019, a reminder that he can still dominate when the moment calls for it. The performance wasn’t just a flashback to his MVP days; it was a statement that he remains one of the most skilled offensive players in the association.
What makes Harden’s season even more impressive is his ability to adapt. At 35, he’s no longer the high-usage, isolation-heavy player he was in Houston. Instead, he’s embraced a more balanced role, blending scoring with playmaking and even showing improvement on the defensive end. His 1.5 steals per game are a career-high, and he’s been more engaged on that side of the floor than ever before. It’s a testament to his work ethic and basketball IQ, proving that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.
As the Clippers enter the final stretch of the season, Harden’s leadership will be crucial. With 18 games left on their regular season calendar, the team sits eighth in the Western Conference at 35-29, floating in the play-in spots. Alongside a now-healthy (and hopefully the same moving forward) Kawhi Leonard and sharpshooter Norman Powell, who should be back from injury later this month, the lefty star guard is helping the Clippers stay competitive in a stacked conference, and within striking distance of a Top 6 seeding.
The team is not all about Leonard’s health come playoff time, it can also rest on James’s abilities, as he can control the pace of the game, whether by scoring, facilitating, or drawing fouls in clutch moments, which are all invaluable. While there’s a strong narrative that he has the tendency to shrink in the postseason, we have to remember that every series is different, and that Harden has already showcased other commendable performances in such a stage.
The Clipps are on a three-game winning streak, with James posting 35.3 points and 7.7 assists in that timeframe. Rhythm is building up nicely, and their next four games (Pelicans, Heat, Hawks, Hornets) are against teams with a losing record. He and the guys have a good opportunity to further each one’s momentum.
