James Harden still ringless at 35: How long did it take LeBron James, Stephen Curry and other stars to win their first NBA title?

Following the Game 7 elimination at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, James Harden turns 35 without an NBA championship to his name. Despite the disappointing end to the season, Harden played a pivotal role throughout the year, averaging 22.8 points and 8.7 assists per game, leading the Los Angeles Clippers in both categories. As a result, fans are now drawing comparisons to stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar highlighting how long each waited for their first NBA title.

Unlike James Harden, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his first NBA title in only his second season, during the 1970-71 campaign. That same year, he also earned MVP honors. He averaged 31.7 points, 16 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game at age 23. His dominance did not stop there. He went on to win five more championships, claiming his last at age 40. As a result, he built a legacy that still follows him today. That legacy keeps him in the conversation as one of the greatest players of all time.

Meanwhile, Stephen Curry needed six seasons to win his first title. He finally did it in 2014-15 with the Golden State Warriors. That season, he averaged 23.8 points, 7.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. He also secured his first MVP award at age 26. More importantly, he broke the team’s 40-year championship drought. After that, he added three more titles and became one of the greatest players in franchise history.

LeBron James also took time to win his first ring. He needed nine seasons to achieve it. At 27, he led the Miami Heat to the 2012 championship, ending a five-year title drought for the team. The following year, he did it again and won back-to-back titles. His story did not end there. He later earned two more championships, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers and another with the Los Angeles Lakers. That cemented his status as one of the most dominant players in NBA history.

James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors

Has James Harden lived up to expectations with the Los Angeles Clippers?

The Los Angeles Clippers built a roster to chase an NBA championship. They brought together James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook. Despite their talent, the team came up short. Westbrook took most of the blame and eventually left. With him gone, the Clippers hoped to bounce back this season. However, fate had other plans. In a twist, it was Westbrook’s Denver Nuggets who eliminated them in the first round.

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In Game 7, Harden played 35 minutes but struggled to stand out. He recorded 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 13 assists. Even so, criticizing him solely for that game seems unfair. He remained a key part of the offense throughout the series. He helped the Clippers stay in the fight against a tough Nuggets team.

Harden is 34 years old, not a young star with the legs to lead a revolution. He joined the Clippers to contribute, not carry the team. Blaming him ignores bigger issues. The roster did not support him well enough. The defeat speaks more about the team’s shortcomings than one player’s performance.