[Mr KLC]

As part of an ongoing ESPN the Magazine feature, Scoop is sitting with Team USA players as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup in Spain beginning in September. Yesterday it was Rockets off-guard, James Harden, and Harden’s confidence in himself shone through from the onset:

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.

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.


Learn how to play defense, kid.

[Fidel_CashFlow]

As part of an ongoing ESPN the Magazine feature, Scoop is sitting with Team USA players as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup in Spain beginning in September. Yesterday it was Rockets off-guard, James Harden, and Harden’s confidence in himself shone through from the onset:

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.

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.


Learn how to play defense, kid.

Thanks MrKLC , u saved me the time of having to type that.

As I was readin that, it was all I kept thinking, "this no defense playin SOB talkin this shit"

He is a superior offensive threat , but not close to the best overall player

[2daBank]

he would fit right in here at sbr where in the next 2 weeks we will see about 50 threads of guys proclaiming themselves nfl gods

[jjgold]

He is a loser too

Got schooled in playoffs

He was main reason Houston lost

[The Giant]

Maybe he was inadvertently told before the interview that there was a fiery airplane crash killing all the other NBA players.

[Bostongambler]

He isn't even the best on his team.

[jjgold]

Harden should watch the last playoff series he has played in

He was horrific and just a ball hog

Those "Me" players are losers and never win

[CWD]

He is a loser too

Got schooled in playoffs

He was main reason Houston lost

so u anti usa now?

u dont support harden u dont support this country. this is fiba time.

[existential]

harden is trash. he's an ISO-player who dribbles the shot clock out and then gets bailed out by the refs 75% of the time on terrible calls. allergic to defense, zero leadership, players hate playing with him.

[THam12]

He's an nba all star. Top tier athletes all think they're the best. How do you think they got there? Being panzies and claiming to be second best to others? No.
I see nothing wrong with what he said. I don't agree, but nothing wrong with that.

[crustyme]

he doesnt even have the best beard in sports.

[sweethook]

he is 1 of the top 10 in the game today

[TwoWays]

He is overrated. Scores well because the refs allow him to. That is why he is bad in games where refs don't call touch fouls. He is an all-star. Buy in an all star game is not someone that would stand out to u. Put a lie detector and ask him that question and best believe that machine detector would explode. I see lotanwrong with what he says cause he's lying

[Big Bear]

all black people say that.

its why they are dominate the NBA.

Confidence is the most important thing in sports.

[BigDofBA]

Harden couldn't start for OKC and can't evenget out of the first round being he "leader" of his new team.

Yeah. Not even close to being he best player. Lmao.

Lillard > Harden

[Big Bear]

Lebron James is the best player.

Litterally any team in the East would be in the NBA Finals with him on the roster.

[raydog]

He is a loser too

Got schooled in playoffs

He was main reason Houston lost

avg. 27 ... yeah, he is why they lost ... portland so much better all around

He isn't even the best on his team.

there isnt another player on that rockets roster that is anywhere near his level... what are you smoking? howard the most overrated player in hoops, fwiw

he is 1 of the top 10 in the game today

^^ at least someone gets it.. harden is unstoppable and scores at will and as far as defense goes, not many in the west, besides memphis starters, know what defense is... so dont just knock him.

also, please dont talk that shit about the refs when Lebron is bailed out more and gets more junk points than anyone that has ever played... its not even close

[hus7ler]

Harden mosdef not greatest, all the greats play defense. Also, he does not have any leadership skills. He ran out chandler parsons by having dwight side with him because they are black and was about to pay chandler parson more than harden. His ego (which is more apparent now) wouldn't let him get paid less, even if it meant a better chance at rings.

[Dollars2Donuts]

The problem is guys, that he isn't bragging....if you don't get that then you just don't understand sports.

When i I played I was always the best (I wasn't even close). To be my best I needed to feel like that, I needed to want that, to act like that.

If you will notice that throughout his short career he has never been the guy to really WANT to take the big shot, he just hasn't. These statements are his own personal way to working towards being that guy.

If he had said 'I am the best, and I have reached my potential' you would have known he was bragging....he didn't say that. He knows he is one of the best (maybe just sneaking into the top 10 or so? Maybe 15?) but if he wants to be top three he has to THINK that he is the best.

Personally i I doubt that will ever happen....but cut him some slack here.

[TheAntFather]

Harden couldn't start for OKC and can't evenget out of the first round being he "leader" of his new team.

Yeah. Not even close to being he best player. Lmao.

Lillard > Harden

Don't be sore because Harden left okc and okc will never win a championship. You look stupid.

[laclippers504]

May never get out of the 1st round

[laclippers504]

May never get out of the 1st round

As a Rocket*

[winz]

i can see where he's coming from, and i have no problem with that statement... gotta have faith and supreme confidence in yourself always...i mean i know i am the best handicapper alive..

[Mr KLC]

ESPN's Top 10 Shooting Guards this Upcoming Season
1: James Harden
2: Dwyane Wade
3: Monta Ellis
4: Jimmy Butler
5: Dion Waiters
6: Tyreke Evans
7: Victor Oladipo
8: Klay Thompson
9: Manu Ginobili
10: Lance Stephenson

[Mr KLC]

Complementary piece or leader, Harden was ready for the FIBA World Cup either way. Now, though, he's embracing the opportunity to lead:

I think these past couple of years have prepared myself for this situation, seeing how I can lead a team in the Rockets.
...
That I'm capable of leading a team. Obviously, I'm still learning; I have a long way to go. But the first couple of steps are going to be good.
...
In Oklahoma City, I had a little leadership role, but I was the sixth man. I didn't have the majority of the say-so. Now, it's prepared me in my game, being a leader, being able to talk to my coaches and better myself and coming out here and having confidence as a leader to kind of talk and communicate.

[CWD]

ESPN's Top 10 Shooting Guards this Upcoming Season
1: James Harden
2: Dwyane Wade
3: Monta Ellis
4: Jimmy Butler
5: Dion Waiters
6: Tyreke Evans
7: Victor Oladipo
8: Klay Thompson
9: Manu Ginobili
10: Lance Stephenson

klay going to move up sooooon

[bigtymer56]

avg. 27 ... yeah, he is why they lost ... portland so much better all around



there isnt another player on that rockets roster that is anywhere near his level... what are you smoking? howard the most overrated player in hoops, fwiw



^^ at least someone gets it.. harden is unstoppable and scores at will and as far as defense goes, not many in the west, besides memphis starters, know what defense is... so dont just knock him.

also, please dont talk that shit about the refs when Lebron is bailed out more and gets more junk points than anyone that has ever played... its not even close

Did you actually watch the blazers-rockets series? Outside of game 6 he was atrocious the entire series. Not helping anybody averaging 27 while shoting less than 40%.

[rm18]

ESPN's Top 10 Shooting Guards this Upcoming Season
1: James Harden
2: Dwyane Wade
3: Monta Ellis
4: Jimmy Butler
5: Dion Waiters
6: Tyreke Evans
7: Victor Oladipo
8: Klay Thompson
9: Manu Ginobili
10: Lance Stephenson

that is the worst list ever Oladipo and Evans are not playing SG. Stephenson is #2 minimum ainec. Aaron Afflalo is definitely in the top 10 and probably way higher. Also Dion Waiters being listed 5th is a joke he is a chucker and not even in the top 30 probably like every NBA team has a better 2 guard than him. An aging Kobe and Joe Johnson still belong on the list imo. And where is Brad Beal? lol Demar Derozan should be number 3. Wes Matthews is better than most guys on this list and so is Eric Bledsoe

[KRIT]

He's very talented....but he's a loser.

[jizay]

Complementary piece or leader, Harden was ready for the FIBA World Cup either way. Now, though, he's embracing the opportunity to lead:

And this is exactly why the USA could lose this world cup. Guy refuses to buy into the team concept, dribbles too much and stagnates the offense, and takes bad shots.

[rm18]

If Anthony Davis gets in foul trouble vs the top teams they will lose

[Straight Cash]

It sounds like he has been hanging around with LeVeon Bell and LeGarrette Blount

[GoBlue77]

fuk me.....give me WESTBROOK over this toolbar any day and twice on sunday

[Pauulzcappin]

I fukking hate this guy

worthless piece of shit

[TheMoneyShot]

I cringe every time I lay $ on Harden. You just never know what you're going to get from him night in and night out.