Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Players Under Most Pressure To Win First Championship

By Maxwell Ogden

April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and guard Chris Paul (3) react from the bench against Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and guard Chris Paul (3) react from the bench against Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 12
Next
Apr 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) on the bench against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) on the bench against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

8. James Harden, Houston Rockets

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 26 (8/26/1989)
Career Slash Line: .443/.368/.855
Career Averages: 33.2 MPG, 21.1 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 2.1 3PM
Accolades: 2x All-NBA First Team, 2013 All-NBA Third Team, 4x All-Star, 2012 Sixth Man of the Year

In 2014-15, James Harden had the look of the next best player in the NBA. He led an injury-ravaged Houston Rockets team to 56 wins, the No. 2 seed in a deep Western Conference, and its first Conference Finals appearance since 1997.

In 2015-16, Harden was accused of running Dwight Howard out of town and butting heads with his head coach.

In 2016-17, Harden will play for a coach who will set him loose on the NBA from an offensive perspective: Mike D’Antoni. D’Antoni has his fair share of critics, but it’d be silly to ignore how much he can help Harden offensively.

The question is, will Harden commit enough energy defensively that the Rockets will be legitimate championship contenders?

Harden, who will be 27 years of age at the start of the 2016-17 season, is entering his prime. For as polarizing a player as he may be, he’s one of the most productive offensive player that the NBA has ever seen—no hyperbole.

Harden may not be facing immediate championship pressure, but at 27 years of age with a roster that he’s influenced, he needs to win.

Next: Super Money