Houston Rockets: Is James Harden the most clutch player in the NBA?

Despite already being regarded as one of the most unstoppable forces of his generation, James Harden has recently shown signs of taking his game to another level when it counts.

For over the last several seasons and counting, Houston Rockets superstar guard James Harden has worked mightily to showcase why he is truly considered to be in a league of his own with his nightly exploits.

The seven-time All-Star — who captured his second consecutive scoring title last year — became the first player in NBA history to score over 2,800 points with 500 assists and 500 rebounds in a single season during his most recent campaign with Clutch City.

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That was addition to averaging over 35 points per game on fewer shots, free throws and minutes per outing than Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain, as the former MVP became the only player in NBA history to ever post averages of 40 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in a calendar month.

Yet despite all the video game-like numbers that Harden has generated as of late, the Arizona State product has often found himself elevated as the primary scapegoat for failing to come up big during the game’s most critical junctures.

This phenomenon leaves many analysts and fans to debate whether or not the soon-to-be 30-year-old was ever capable of playing his best basketball in a moment known as crunch time.

Now, Harden appears to have taken the public’s criticism of his game into deep consideration, as the reigning scoring champ has silently become one of the NBA’s best players down the stretch in tight affairs.

Harden — who averaged a career-high 36.1 points per game for Houston last season — led the league in total clutch scoring with 192 points in games decided by five points or less in the final five minutes of either the fourth quarter or overtime.

"“I think he has done more to put himself in a better position,”  Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle when asked about the face of the franchise’s improved play late in games last year.“I think he’s learned from past years that he needs to up this or up that to have a better chance….He’s added the floater, added the step-back.“He’s improved his game and his ability to play his game…And he’s learned from experience.”"

Although the national discourse involving Harden’s playing style and game will likely never cease until the day he decides to step away from basketball, those who once scoffed at the former Sixth Man’s shortcomings in winning time should be happy to know that The Beard has taken the steps necessary towards ensuring success in future years to come.

During the course of the 2018-19 regular season, Harden proved to be one of the game’s most efficient scorers late during the waning stages of regulation, shooting 41.6 percent from the field in clutch time.

Harden adds to his clutch-time shooting with an aptitude for getting to the free throw line more than any other player in the league, as The Beard shot 82.5 percent from the charity stripe through 39 games decided by five points or less.

To put all the following numbers into deeper perspective, Harden managed to generate more offense for the Rockets — and shoot at a higher clip from the floor in clutch instances — than Kemba Walker, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and Paul George.

Harden also racks up more points than Kawhi Leonard come closing time, as the five-time All-NBA First Team selection’s ability to use his handle to exploit mismatches and drive inside allows him to get to his ideal spots more often than not to garner a quality look from anywhere on the court.

Should this trend continue, then there is a possibility that Harden might soon be able to exorcise his past playoff demons and put himself one step closer towards joining his peers Durant and Leonard — among other legends — in basketball’s illustrious championship club.