James Harden's Prime: My POV

Being a Warriors fan during the late 2010s was one of the greatest experiences a basketball fan could ever have. Steph was revolutionizing the game, Klay was lighting up defenses, Draymond was doing all the dirty work, and Kevin Durant joined the party to make the team nearly unbeatable. But during those years, there was one player who consistently stood across from us, challenging everything we built: James Harden. And for as much as I celebrated when Golden State beat Houston, I can’t deny it now: watching Harden during his prime was something special.

Back then, Harden was the biggest threat to the Warriors’ dynasty. Every time the Rockets matched up against us in the playoffs, it felt like the league was watching to see if he could finally be the one to knock us off. He was dropping 30, 40, sometimes even 50 points like it was nothing. His step-back three was unstoppable, his ability to draw fouls frustrated everyone, and his vision as a playmaker made him one of the most complete offensive players I had ever seen. As a Warriors fan, I hated how good he was because I knew we had to bring our best to beat him. But at the same time, I couldn’t help but respect the brilliance of what he was doing. I’ll never forget the 2018 Western Conference Finals. That series was the closest anyone ever came to ending the Warriors’ run. Houston had the best record in the league, and Harden was on another level. The Rockets went up 3–2, and it really felt like our time might be up. Then Chris Paul got injured, and everything changed. Harden tried to carry the team, but it wasn’t enough. Game 7 was one of the most unforgettable playoff games I’ve watched, not just because we won, but because of how heartbreaking it was for him. Missing 27 straight threes is a stat that will always be tied to Harden, but watching that happen in real time, you could feel how close he was to breaking through.

Looking back now, I realize how much I took those battles for granted. Harden wasn’t just another star player. He was a generational offensive talent who just happened to peak at the wrong time. If it weren’t for the Warriors, there’s a real chance he wins a ring or two and changes the way we talk about his career. Instead, people focus too much on what he didn’t do. As a fan on the other side of those wars, I can admit now that he was the ultimate rival, someone who pushed the Warriors to be their best and made every playoff series more intense. It's weird watching Harden bounce around teams now because it’s easy to forget how dominant he was in Houston. But I’ll always remember him as the guy who scared me every time he came to Chase Center or Oracle. He was never the villain I thought he was back then. He was just unlucky enough to run into one of the greatest teams ever. And in a way, that makes me respect him even more.