James Harden is one of the best NBA players out there, but that doesn’t mean he should have a spot on an NBA roster.
The “james harden all-star appearances” is a topic that has been discussed on many occasions. James Harden was not deserving of a place on the roster, even as a reserve.
Almost every player picked for the NBA All-Star Game earned his or her position on the roster. With James Harden acting as the conspicuous exception, this is mainly true for the 2022 matchup.
Harden was named to his 10th All-Star team as an Eastern Conference reserve. Given his name and resume, it’s no surprise that the Brooklyn Nets guard made the team. The Beard, on the other hand, does not deserve a trip to Cleveland, considering his dismal season and the number of snubs he beat out.
For the tenth year in a row, James Harden has been named to the NBA All-Star team.
Harden has been an All-Star in the NBA for as long as he has been a starting guard.
The 32-year-old has been named to the All-Star team since his first season with the Houston Rockets in 2012-13. He started the first of six All-Star Games the following season, the latest of which was in 2019-20.
Harden was seldom, if ever, deserving of an All-Star selection. Over nine full seasons in Houston, the three-time scoring champion averaged 29.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 6.0 rebounds. Despite the fact that his scoring has dipped significantly after last year’s move, Harden has averaged 10.5 assists and 8.2 rebounds per game in 80 games with the Nets.
Harden was one of the Eastern Conference’s seven bench players. The former MVP will be joined by Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls, Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, and Free VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors.
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Bulls forward Zach LaVine, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brooklyn Nets player (and All-Star captain) Kevin Durant are the five starters, who were named a week ago.
This year, Harden does not deserve to be an All-Star.
The Brooklyn Nets’ James Harden #13 warms up on the floor. | Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Harden’s previous honors are clearly well-deserved. However, during the 2021-22 season, his only real justification for becoming an All-Star selection is his name recognition and reputation.
Harden is averaging 22.5 points per game this season, his lowest average since his Oklahoma City Thunder days as a sixth man. Despite attempting fewer shots than he did in Houston, the veteran is only completing 41.4 percent of his attempts. Worst of all, his effective field-goal percentage of 48.6 percent is the second-lowest of his career, narrowly edging out his rookie season’s 48.4 percent.
Along with his terrible shooting, Harden leads the league with 4.8 turnovers per game. While fellow All-Stars Young and Luka Doncic have had their fair share of turnovers, they’ve shot and scored significantly more effectively than the Nets veteran.
Another reason why Harden shouldn’t be an All-Star is because he isn’t a natural leader. In addition to terrible shooting and numerous turnovers, the Beard has been involved in some off-court controversy. According to many rumors, the star guard may desire to leave Brooklyn. After requesting to play alongside Durant and Kyrie Irving little over a year ago, this would mean forsaking them.
Poor performance mixed with a self-centered mentality does not scream “All-Star.”
Several other Eastern Conference snubs were much more worthy.
Despite all of the reasons why the Bearded Star shouldn’t have made the All-Star squad, the Eastern Conference’s lack of depth may have forced his participation. However, simply from the worthy players that lost out on this great distinction this year, you can nearly construct a new set of reserves.
Jarrett Allen, a 23-year-old who was strangely acquired in last year’s Harden deal, has enjoying a breakout season in Cleveland. Allen, who averages 16.0 points with 10.7 rebounds per game, has the NBA’s second-highest trust shooting percentage (69.6%).
Allen is also seventh in terms of victory percentage. With the exception of Allen and Indiana Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis, every player in the top-10 is an All-Star.
Sabonis, a two-time All-Star, is another player who, like Harden, may be dissatisfied with his present squad. The 6-foot-11 star, on the other hand, is in the top ten in win shares, true shooting percentage, and VORP. Harden, for what it’s worth, is just outside the top-20 in one of those categories (VORP).
The voters also made a blunder by voting for the Nets’ fading star above Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball and big Miles Bridges. Both players, notably Ball, have compelling arguments. For a Hornets squad that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2016, the 20-year-old is averaging 19.9 points, 7.7 assists, and 7.2 steals. Not to add, his style of play is considerably more enjoyable than Harden’s monotonous and sometimes frustrating approach to the game.
One thing is certain: whichever you believe is the most shocking snub, one thing is certain. Harden would have been a better choice than any of these guys.
Basketball Reference provided all statistics.
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James Harden is one of the best players in the NBA, but he didn’t deserve a place on the roster. Even as a reserve, Harden was still able to score 25 points per game and average 7 rebounds. He’s also an excellent defender. Reference: how much is james harden worth.
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