James Harden Says He Is The Best Player Alive Right Now
Depending on who you ask, James Harden might be considered the best two-guard in the NBA today. Harden is currently training and competing with Team USA for the World Championships in Spain with his fellow peers of elites. ESPN’s Scoop Jackson sat down with the Houston Rockets star guard to talk about his progression and confidence as a player:
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.
Harden was confident enough to say that he is the best basketball player alive right now, but that didn’t come without admitting the desire to reach his true ceiling:
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.
It’s no question that Harden, a First Team All-NBA selection this past season, is one of the best guards in our league. He is part of a unique crop of combo guards that can be lethal scorers, playmakers, and facilitators. Offensively he is one of the hardest players to contain off the dribble. Reaching an undisputed “best player alive” moniker would mean continuing to progress his offensive game, but most importantly, his defensive efforts.
It was reported that Team USA was impressed with Harden’s defensive efforts in training camp and practice. Improving his two-way game and overall impact on the floor are ways for Harden to convince us of his sheer belief in himself. Is it possible for a combo guard like Harden to be dubbed the best player alive? With LeBron James and Kevin Durant around, it’s unlikely, but he seems to have the right understanding of how best to unequivocally immerse himself into that echelon:
Scoop: Best time of your life right now?
Harden: Yeah. Definitely. I’m enjoying this. Still trying to catch guys like LeBron, KD and Kobe. You know, just trying to catch those guys. That’s something I get to look forward to every single day to motivate me.
Scoop:That’s your motivation? Still those guys? Because you know you can still serve them on the court every now and then.
Harden: Listen [long pause], until I get rings I can’t say anything.
At the very least, Harden seems focused on reaching his full potential. We’ll have the pleasure of seeing what that looks like.
