The Los Angeles Clippers raised expectations with a solid regular season, but the Denver Nuggets quickly ended their playoff hopes. As a result, criticism towards James Harden continues to grow. Many fans believe he disappears in key moments and fails to deliver when the pressure rises. This has sparked debate across the league. Shaquille O’Neal joined the conversation and shared his take, explaining the reason behind Harden struggles to make an impact when it matters most.
“When you care, I can see it in your eyes…We had a couple of Game 7s, and people didn’t step up… I already knew they wasn’t going to step up because it’s the topic of conversation. If you have the I don’t care attitude, you’re going to take 30 shots, not f***ing eight, James Harden…When he was playing, I could tell he cares what people say…Still a Hall of Famer, you still make a lot of money, but you care what people say. You’re just adding to your narrative,” stated Shaquille O’Neal on his podcast ‘The Big Podcast’.
At 35 years old, James Harden still has not won an NBA championship. He reached the Finals only once, in the 2011–12 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In that series, the Miami Heat defeated them. Since then, more than 12 years have passed without Harden making a real impact in the final stages of the postseason.
Although Harden has not reached the NBA Finals in over a decade, he has still made a strong impact on the league. However, former teammate Paul George believes Harden’s split playing style holds him back. George says Harden has two distinct versions. One is aggressive, focused on scoring and dominating. The other version plays more like a facilitator, setting up teammates. This constant switch may affect the team, as per Paul.
During the Los Angeles Clippers’ brief postseason run, James Harden faced heavy criticism for his inconsistency. He stood out in only two games—Game 1 and Game 6—where he led the team in scoring. In the other matchups, he appeared disengaged, which sparked frustration among fans.
Many fans criticized him for not being a reliable a scorer or playmaker. They noted that, while he can fill both roles, he rarely does it consistently. As a result, fans often feel let down when the team needs him most.
Despite struggling to shine in the postseason, James Harden averaged 9.1 assists per game in the series against the Nuggets. He also managed to stay consistent during the regular season. Over 79 games, he averaged 22.8 points and 8.7 assists per game. He led the team in both categories, showing his value as a playmaker and scorer.
Therefore, with a stronger supporting cast, Harden could still make a significant impact on the team’s playoff hopes. As a result, the franchise must add more reliable scoring options to boost the veteran’s effectiveness and overall influence on the court.